Players, coaches anxious to play

EL PASO, Texas – OU head coach Bob Stoops said the coaching staff and players are anxious and ready to get Thursday’s Brut Sun Bowl started.

“Now you’re just anxious to play,” Stoops said. “I sense that, definitely. As coaches we are and the players, I sense it. They’re anxious to get on the field and get after it and play and looking forward to the challenge of it.”

The Sooners have not played a game since Nov. 28 when they beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 27-0.

Luck a game-time decision

Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh said he has been happy with freshman quarterback Andrew Luck’s progression, but it is unsure whether he will play in the Brut Sun Bowl Thursday.

“We’re going to give ourselves another 24 hours to make that decision,” Harbaugh said.

Luck broke a finger on his right hand against Notre Dame, had pins taken out of the finger on Monday and has not thrown a ball since the injury. Senior quarterback Tavita Pritchard will start Thursday, and sophomore quarterback Griff Whalen will back up Pritchard if Stanford’s coaching staff does not feel comfortable with Luck’s status.

Stoops disappointed over Leach’s firing

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said he is disappointed and sad to hear former coach Mike Leach was fired from Texas Tech earlier today.

“This is the first I’ve ever heard of any allegations against him, so I’d like to think he’ll surely be able to overcome it,” Stoops said. “He’ll be attractive to someone else and move forward. I pray he’ll be able to overcome it.”

12-29-09: Tuesday Practice Notebook — Part 2

Luck very doubtful for Sun Bowl

EL PASO, Texas – Stanford offensive coordinator David Shaw said freshman quarterback Andrew Luck is very doubtful for Thursday’s Brut Sun Bowl matchup with the Sooners.

“Very doubtful,” Shaw said. “The pins have been taken out, and we’ll see what happens, but never say never.”

Luck broke a finger on his throwing hand against Notre Dame and got the pins removed from the finger on Monday. He has not thrown a ball since getting injured, but is listed as Stanford’s second quarterback.

Stanford not underestimating Jones

Stanford defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said the Cardinal are not looking forward to playing against OU freshman quarterback Landry Jones, even though Jones has put together just one solid performance away from Norman.

“We’re not as comfortable or confident as playing against him because he is a good player,” Lynn said.

Stanford tried recruiting Jones when he was playing at Artesia High School in New Mexico, but he chose a different path. This season Jones has completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,780 yards with 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Stanford’s defense looking to contain if not stop Sooners’ rushing attack

Stanford defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said he has been very impressed with what OU running backs senior Chris Brown and junior DeMarco Murray have done over the course of their careers.

The Stanford defense will try its best to control their production in Thursday’s Brut Sun Bowl.

“I think both those guys can score at any point in time,” Lynn said. “These are guys that will be a real challenge for us to be able to control. We’d like to make them as one-dimensional as possible as we can, but I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that.”

Brown and Murray have combined to rush for 1,381 yards and 14 touchdowns this season with each of them having seven touchdowns.

12-29-09: Tuesday Practice Notebook — Part 1

Leach, Mangino situation a result of today’s culture

EL PASO, Texas – Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables said the allegations against Texas Tech and Kansas head coaches Mike Leach and Mark Mangino of mistreating their players is a result of how the culture of football and society has changed over the years.

“To a certain degree it’s probably a part of the culture today,” Venables said. “I know those are two great men and terrific football coaches, good friends.”

Venables went on to say the two coaches’ suspensions may be a result of the media’s coverage and what kind of information is being leaked to the public.

“The extreme nature of some of the reporting, accurate or not, would totally surprise me knowing and having experience being on the field with those men and off the field with those guys,” Venables said.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he thinks kids are brought up differently than they used to be and they are not challenged as much as they once were.

“More than anything we live in a society where kids aren’t challenged as much,” Wilson said. “Moms and dads are at school questioning authority because there’s an issue with the teacher. Most of you probably grew up where your dad wore you out if you came home with a bad report or something from a teacher.”

Wilson said the nature of things today is that those in a position with power are the first to be blamed, and as a coach you have to find a good balance between being stern and coddling players.

“The balance is to learn how to motivate this kid in this day-and-age to come to work every day and be physical and smart and be accountable,” Wilson said.

Quarterback-center exchange is biggest concern for Wilson

Wilson said the only worry he has for using senior offensive lineman Trent Wilson at center is snapping the ball to freshman quarterback Landry Jones.

“You’re more worried about Trent with Landry in snap exchange,” Wilson said.

Williams started at left tackle in every game except the regular season finale against Oklahoma State, and will be making his first appearance at center during his career.

Turnovers are the biggest difference since last year

Wilson was considered an offensive genius just a year ago after putting together the most prolific offense in college football history. Now people are calling for his head for the lack-luster offensive play calling.

Wilson said there has not been a change in philosophy since last year, but rather the biggest difference from a year ago is the amount of turnovers the Sooners have committed.

“Last year the greatest thing of the Oklahoma offense, fewest turnovers in the nation,” Wilson said. “That was why we were good. This year look at the difference, plus-13 from last year’s.”

Last year with Heisman-winner Sam Bradford at quarterback and an experienced wide receiver corps the Sooners turned the ball over 11 times. With a new set of faces on offense, OU has turned the ball over 24 times.

12-28-09: Monday Practice Notebook

Sooners may practice in snow

EL PASO, Texas – Head coach Bob Stoops said the team may practice outside in the snow Tuesday as long as the conditions are not too bad. According to weather.com, El Paso, Texas, is scheduled to have one to two inches of snow late Monday night but should turn to slush by Tuesday morning.

"[We will practice] as long as it’s reasonable,” Stoops said. “I think they have a couple of indoor gymnasium type things. It’s not a football field, but it’s something that you can still get some work done.”

If the weather does send the Sooners indoors, they will practice at Austin High School’s gymnasiums near the football field.

12-27-09: Sunday Practice Notebook

Head coach Bob Stoops looks on as the Sooners stretch during a practice session Sunday, Dec. 27, in preparation for the 2009 Brut Sun Bowl in El Paso. Jono Greco/The Daily

Granger to play in Sun Bowl

EL PASO, Texas – Junior defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said senior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger will play in the Brut Sun Bowl after missing the entire regular season with a back injury.

“He’s going to try to give it a run, give it a shot,” McCoy said. “He’s a hard working man, he never gives up.”

Granger was denied another year of eligibility by the NCAA in October, and the Sun Bowl would be his last opportunity to play as a Sooner.

“[Granger playing] would be great to see,” McCoy said.

Williams getting back in the groove of playing center

Senior offensive lineman Trent Williams said he is getting used to playing center after not having practiced the position since two-a-day practices during the summer.

“It’s like night and day,” Williams said. “I have to think about the block scheme different. It’s a lot different.”

Williams will be the fourth player to start at center this season following injuries to senior Brody Eldridge, freshman Ben Habern and junior Brian Lepak, and has played left tackle in all but one game this season. Junior offensive lineman Cory Brandon has been practicing at left tackle and Williams said Brandon will most likely start there.

“No one would have looked toward [starting four different centers],” Williams said. “No one thought we’d be 7-5, but hey, here we are and we’re going to make the best of it.”

Head coach Bob Stoops and freshman quarterback Landry Jones have said they liked Williams’ progress during this week of practice.

12-26-09: Saturday Practice Notebook

Williams to start at center

EL PASO, Texas – With third string center Brian Lepak out for the 2009 Brut Sun Bowl, head coach Bob Stoops has decided to start with senior offensive lineman Trent Williams at center. Williams is the fourth center to start for the Sooners this season.

"He’s actually doing really well,” freshman quarterback Landry Jones said. “I’m pretty surprised at how well he’s doing right now. Usually it takes a guy a couple days to get snaps down, but he came in there first day popping it up great.”

Other than Lepak, OU has started senior Brody Eldridge and freshman Ben Habern at center. Williams played left tackle before moving to center.

“Injuries happen, and you don’t think you’re going to have four centers,” Jones said. “We have, and that’s who we’ve got and we’re going to go with it. I have total faith in Trent to do the best of his abilities.”

Jones excited for friends and family to travel to El Paso

Freshman quarterback Landry Jones is playing closer to his hometown of Artesia, N.M., than he has since graduating from his high school where he won back-to-back state championships. He said he thinks about 20 of his friends and family members are traveling to watch the 2009 Brut Sun Bowl.

“I think a lot of people are coming to the game,” Jones said. “I’ve kind of let my parents do the whole ticket thing. I’m really excited to see those guys again, and very happy they're coming out to support me.”

The last time Jones played in the area was when he was playing for Artesia High School when he played Las Cruces High School. Artesia High School lost 45-44.

“It’s great to be back down here,” Jones said.