Oklahoma and Cincinnati have signed a contract for a home-and-home series, beginning with the 2008 season.

The Bearcats will travel to Owen Field Sept. 6, 2008, to begin the series and will host the Sooners on Sept. 25, 2010, at Paul Brown Stadium, the home facility for the Cincinnati Bengals. The two schools have never met on the gridiron.

“We are pleased to have this agreement in place,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “Cincinnati’s program is moving in a positive direction and we know that these will be competitive games. We’re also excited that the game in Ohio affords us the opportunity to take Bob Stoops back to his home state while introducing our team to another NFL venue.”

Stoops is from Youngstown, Ohio.

Cincinnati representatives said they are excited about the series.

“If we expect Bearcats football to be a national presence and compete in the BCS, we need to play nationally recognized programs,” Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly said. “Bob Stoops won a national championship in 2000 and has earned four Big 12 Conference titles over the last seven years at Oklahoma. This is an opportunity for UC to play at the highest level and host a BCS program in an NFL venue.”

Castiglione said he expects to finalize the rest of the 2008 schedule soon. The Big 12 portion is already set.

Oklahoma drill

OU had its first full-pads workout Monday and that meant employing a drill that’s been a staple at Sooner practices since the days of Bud Wilkinson.

The Oklahoma drill pits two players against one another within a confined space, usually demarcated by blocking bags about 3 yards apart as a running back tries to sprint through the open space. The high-contract drill tests the mettle of every player.

“It’s a toughness drill, there’s no question,” offensive line coach James Patton said.

Under Stoops, the drill has been used in the first practice with pads every year.

Offensive lineman Phil Loadholt, who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 350 pounds, said he was matched up twice with defensive end John Williams twice Monday.

“It went great,” Loadholt said. “Got some good work in. You’re trying to assert your self and be physical.”

Loadholt wouldn’t say who won the head-to-head match ups. Neither would defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger.