Sooners get first look at season opener opponent

The Sooners got their first peek at Brigham Young University Monday.

The team watched film on its opening game opponent, but sophomore defensive end Frank Alexander said the team isn’t putting much stock in it.

“It was last year’s film. They won 10 games and everything, but you can’t go on what last year’s tape is saying,” he said.

Alexander said BYU is a different team now than they were last year, and the Sooners are more focused right now on preparing themselves for the game than preparing for what the Cougars might send at them.

“You just have to go out there and believe in yourself, know what you got to do and believe you can get the work done,” he said.

Hot Weather

After practice, some of the players looked a little tired. Auston English gave interviews sitting on the stairs while Gerald McCoy sprawled on the floor out a few rows behind him. Both seemed glad to be out of the heat.

“It was hot today,” English said. “But the senior leaders—guys like Gerald and Sam (Bradford)—just motivated the team that even though it’s hot out here, we’ve got to have good work.”

Coaches and teammates won’t be surprised if Franks wins Thorpe Award

Junior defense back Dominique Franks was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list on Aug. 8, and his coaches and teammates said they would not be surprised if he was named the award’s recipient.

“I think he has the ability and talent to do it,” junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said.

Last season Franks ranked eighth on OU’s defense with 42 tackles and had four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

“He is good enough and has improved enough that he has a chance to have as good a year as anybody in the country,” defensive backs coach Bobby Jack Wright said. “If he comes on from the early part of the season where he left off last year, and has an improved season over what he did last year he’s going to catch a lot of people’s eyes.”

McCoy doesn’t pay attention to the various watch lists he’s been named to

McCoy said he has paid little attention to the various watch lists that he has been attached to during the past month, and has focused on getting better and achieving team goals.

“I don’t worry about any of that,” McCoy said. “I worry about going to these meetings and getting in trouble with Coach Shipp.”

McCoy is currently on three watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski A ward, Chuck Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy

“If awards come they come, but I just try to do what I can with my team,” McCoy said. “People tell me ‘hey, you’re on this [watch list].’ I say ‘hey, thanks, I’m sleepy.”

James Corley

James is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Sports Reporter, Sports Editor, Night Editor, Sports Reporter, Inside the Huddle Editor, Managing Editor and Sports Reporter.