Sooner Report: Knight Returns to Practice

He's Back!

The Sooners returned to practice on Saturday morning inside the Everest Training Center. Among the participants was sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight, who returned to practice with the team today. The San Antonio native had been running and throwing on his own at practice, but made his return to team drills today.

Head coach Bob Stoops was clearly enthused to have his starting quarterback back after Knight was injured against Baylor on Nov. 6.

“It's a big plus, definitely,” Stoops said of Knight's return. “We've missed him the last several weeks. Obviously he's got experience and the bowl experience from a year ago, so hopefully this will give us a big boost.”

With players focusing on finals the past week, today's practice marked the start of on-field preparations for the Russell Athletic Bowl against Clemson on Dec. 29 in Orlando, Florida. Perhaps no player on the practice field today was more excited about the prospect of playing in that contest than Knight, who produced a record-setting, MVP performance in the Sugar Bowl a year ago.

“It felt so good to get back and run around with the guys a little bit and throw the ball around,” Knight beamed. “It's been tough not being able to practice for so long. I got back in there and got a little rhythm throughout practice and knocked a little rust off. It definitely felt good to be back out there.”?

More Updates From Saturday's Practice

Stoops and his staff were all over the country on the recruiting trail last week and were headed back on the road after Saturday's practice. Today's workout was an abbreviated session, concluding around 11:30 a.m. as the coaching staff gradually ramps the players back into a regular routine. The squad will be off on Sunday before returning to the field on Monday.

“We've gotten a lot of good work, especially with our younger players,” Stoops indicated after Saturday's workout. “A lot of these young guys are really looking good. It's been positive.”

In addition to getting Knight back for the bowl game, Stoops was also asked about the status of other injured players. ?

“Hopefully we get everybody back (that's injured) for the bowl game, except for possibly Geneo Grissom, so that will be positive, too.”

Knight, who owns an 11-3 record as Oklahoma's starter, knows the Sooners face a formidable challenge against a Clemson squad that leads the nation in total defense. Fortunately, there will be more prep time for the team's bowl contest, which is just fine with Knight.

“These next two weeks will be good not just for me, but for everybody,” he said. “Classes are done, so we can focus in and not worry about anything but football. It's bowl season, it's the best time of the year. We're going to prepare hard to play a really good Clemson team and we're all excited for the Russell Athletic Bowl.”

Russell Athletic Bowl Info

The Sooners will make their 48th bowl appearance, earning their 16th straight bowl bid under head coach Bob Stoops. Only three schools have longer active consecutive streaks of bowl appearances recognized by the NCAA ? Virginia Tech (22), Georgia (18) and Georgia Tech (18).

The Sooners have an all-time bowl record of 28-18-1 and have won four of their last five bowl appearances under Stoops. Oklahoma will be making its inaugural appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl. ??

Among schools from Power Five conferences, only four schools ? Alabama (84), Oregon (79), Ohio State (75) and Florida State (74) ? have more victories since the start of the 2008 season than Oklahoma (71).

For complete Russell Athletic Bowl coverage and to purchase tickets, go to the Oklahoma Bowl Center.

Pricing options for the Russell Athletic Bowl tickets are as follows:

$60-75 ? Terrace Level (200 Level)

$100 - $110 ? Plaza level (P36-P40)

The OU Athletics Ticket Office will also accept orders in person or via phone during regular business hours at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free (800) 456-GoOU.

Shout Out to the Shepard Family

Don't miss a behind-the-scenes look at the ESPN College Football Awards through the eyes of junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard and his family. Shepard was in Orlando earlier this week accepting the Disney Sports Spirit Award on behalf of his family and Bob Stoops.

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