Published: November 15, 2006 01:24 am            

Schedule does Sooners a favor

John Shinn's Oklahoma Football Notepad

The work Oklahoma did preparing for last week’s game against Texas Tech should pay dividends against Baylor.

The Bears have installed an offense very similar to the one Mike Leach installed at OU in 1999 and has run at Texas Tech since 2000.

“It definitely is an advantage having to work it back to back,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “We just worked it the entire week last week. We can look at what we didn't do well, change up some things and wrinkles hopefully that can help us. Our guys are familiar with the routes and schemes and what they like to do.”

The Sooners held the Red Raiders to 281 total yards last Saturday. That was well below the 475 yards Texas Tech averaged in its previous games.

Over the last two games, OU has faced the Big 12’s best rushing team — Texas A&M — and passing team — Texas Tech.

Defensive back Nic Harris said it will be nice preparing to face a familiar offense, but he doubts it will happen too often.

If a bunch of teams ran the same stuff, it would make for some bland games.

“There wouldn’t be too many wins and losses, just a bunch of ties,” he said.



He wants back in

No determination has been made concerning when Adrian Peterson will play again.

Monday, OU coach Bob Stoops said Peterson, who suffered a broken collarbone Oct. 14 against Iowa State, will be evaluated next week to see how he is progressing.

His roommate, cornerback Marcus Walker, said Peterson is anxious to get back on the field.

“It tears him apart that he can’t play and it’s real tough on him that he can’t play,” Walker said. “He’s trying to get back out there as fast as he can, but he needs to make sure he’s healthy first. Hopefully that’ll be in the next couple of weeks so we’ll be able to have him out there ready to roll.”

Back rotation

Stoops said a decision hasn’t been made on who will start at running back against Baylor. Allen Patrick could start after missing the Texas Tech game with an ankle injury. But his health is still in question.

Jacob Gutierrez started against the Red Raiders, but freshman Chris Brown received more carries.

“We'll see as we go through the week. But regardless, the two (Brown and Gutierrez) will have to play and contribute.”



Fluke injury

Kicker Garrett Hartley played the Texas Tech game with a twisted left ankle. He still made field goals from 23 and 28 yards and made all four extra-point attempts.

Stoops said he was proud of Hartley’s effort, but was still stunned he was hurt.

“He had a bad sprain on Tuesday,” he said. “Scott Anderson, our trainer, came up and told me and I couldn't believe it. It’s something he's been doing his whole life practicing his kickoffs and he just came down on it wrong and rolled his ankle.”



Iglesias will return

Juaquin Iglesias will join Reggie Smith as a kick returner against Baylor. Iglesias and Smith handled the chores in the first two games this season. He was replaced by Peterson at Oregon and Manuel Johnson joined Smith after Peterson was hurt. Johnson is out this week due to the concussion he suffered against Texas Tech.



Reynolds healing

Sophomore linebacker Ryan Reynolds is expected to return to practice Nov. 23. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables expects Reynolds, who suffered a torn ACL during offseason workouts, to practice with the team during bowl game preparations. But, obviously, Reynolds will not play. He is redshirting.

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com

        

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