Fielding punts has been a problem in OU’s last two games while Jejuan Rankins has been nursing an ankle injury.

Lendy Holmes handled the duties against Tulsa, but he muffed one that turned into a costly turnover against UCLA.

Stoops was asked if strong safety Reggie Smith, who has been returning kickoffs, might get a shot at the job.

“I’m going to have a guy back there that I see catch the ball all the time in practice,” Stoops said. “Lendy demonstrated that all throughout practice, but hasn’t done it in the games. Jejuan Rankins does it, but he’s had a bad ankle.

“Reggie needs to do it better in practice before I put him back there in a game. That’s the bottom line. Not until I see it over and over and over that the ball’s secure. That’s what needs to happen.”

Get down Bomar

Bomar rushed for 28 yards against UCLA and had several big runs. OU’s coaches are concerned that he’s acting more like a running back than a quarterback.

“There’s no question we don’t want him taking the hits that he took,” Stoops said. “I think that’s part of the experience as well as learning how to get out of the way.”

It’s enough of an issue that Bomar will watch game film of Texas quarterback Vince Young and Missouri quarterback Brad Smith to see how they avoid taking big hits.

Tennessee series set

Oklahoma finalized another major home-and-home series to its future schedules Tuesday.

The Sooners will meet Tennessee in 2014 and 2015. The Volunteers will come to Owen Field Sept. 13, 2014. OU will travel to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 2, 2015.

“We’re very excited to announce this agreement with Tennessee,” athletics director Joe Castiglione said. “We embrace intersectional match-ups that bring together programs rich in tradition. Games of this kind are significant to fans from both schools, but also for college football in general.”