Oklahoma doesn’t play again until Nov. 3 against Texas A&M. The time off should provide some time to heal some aches as well as get some extra work for the stretch drive of the season.

“There’s no question it’s a good time,” OU coach Bob Stoops said Monday. “We’ve had some minor nicks that should heal up in two weeks. And it gives you some extra works on the teams you have coming up as well. We’ll put it to good use.”

The Sooners were without linebacker Ryan Reynolds and defensive tackle Steven Coleman last Saturday at Iowa State. The time off should help them heal up.

Stoops also said the Sooners would spend the extra time preparing for the regular-season’s final four opponents. Besides the Aggies, games with Baylor (Nov. 10), Texas Tech (Nov. 17) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 25) remain.

“Baylor and Tech, I wouldn’t say they’re identical, but they’re from the same mold and A&M and Oklahoma State have some similarities,” Stoops said. “We’ll work the stuff the two of them will do. We’ll work a little bit of everybody.”

There will also be some time off. The current plan is to give the players both Friday and Saturday off this week.

Stoops hoped most players would kick back and relax over the weekend. Most will. But some will be doing other things.

“I’m going home,” running back DeMarco Murray said. “I’m going to get away from football for a couple days.”

Harris makes Lott cut

Safety Nic Harris made the quarterfinal cut in the selection process for the Lott Trophy Monday.

The award is named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and goes to the outstanding college defensive player of the year who has had the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. It represents the only college football trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance.

Harris, a junior, has 51 tackles and two interceptions. The Alexandria, La., native returned an interception for a touchdown against North Texas, then iced the Missouri win with his fourth-quarter pick.

Harris has been an active community service leader in the OU Athletics Department. He is in his second term as president of Bridge Builders, a group of minority student-athletes that is involved with multiple outreach efforts during the year.

John Shinn