Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander, right, moves in to pick up a fumble by Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson, left, in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

The injury bug has once again affected the Sooner linebacking corps, but this time the reserves are prepared to take over and pick up the slack.

Junior college transfer Mike Balogun, despite receiving limited playing time during the course of the year, is slated to be starting at either middle linebacker or one of the outside linebacker spots against the Missouri Tigers.

“He showed during fall camp that he’s explosive and pretty much what we’re looking for,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “He’s explosive, and we just have to get him coached up, and it will be a one-game season.”

Balogun appeared for two series against the Cowboys, stopping a screen pass for a loss on his second play. He also recorded three solo tackles and nearly intercepted a tipped pass.

“He was in there for a couple, three, four, five plays,” Venables said. “Really stoned a guy like he’d been working up some anger. I’m excited to see him [play].”

Current starting linebacker Travis Lewis said he’s confident in Balogun’s ability to step in and make a difference immediately.

“I’ve had confidence in Mike all season,” Lewis said. “The coaches have been telling him to stay prepared and prepare like you’re going to play every week. I think it really showed when he came in the fourth quarter and made plays. I have the utmost confidence in him to be out there beside me.”

The shifting of personnel among the linebackers has allowed some offenses to take advantage of the OU defense. After the loss to Texas, the defense allowed 491 yards to Kansas and 550 yards to Kansas State. However, once the group settled in, the defense as a whole played better.

“This defense is not easy to learn,” Lewis said. “We all didn’t know [the system] that well at the beginning, but we’re doing much better now.”

Junior linebacker Ryan Reynolds suffered an ACL tear during the OU-Texas game and was lost for the rest of the season.

When that happened, there was a small competition for who would replace him. Freshman Austin Box won the starting job and has started the four contests after the win against Kansas State.

“I’ve definitely been feeling more comfortable,” Box said. “It just takes some time to get used to game experience.”

Saturday against Oklahoma State, a Cowboy receiver blocked Box below the waist and consequently sprained a ligament in his knee.

Head coach Bob Stoops said he was informed Box’s injury should take approximately three to five weeks to recover. With one game left in the regular season, Balogun will fill the open spot.

Stoops also said the injury Box suffered Saturday is very similar to the injury junior defensive end Auston English had earlier in the year. English has missed the past three games, but could be prepared to play this weekend against Missouri. If Box’s injury takes the same amount of time to heal, he should be able to play in OU’s bowl game.