By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript
December 18, 2005 01:50 am
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Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said senior cornerback Chijioke Onyenegecha was suspended from the team and will not play in the Holiday Bowl.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Stoops said. “He’s suspended for the game, which means he’s suspended for his last game. He’s going to miss it and that’s it. We have plenty of guys ready to play.”
Onyenegecha has not practiced with the team since practices resumed two weeks ago.
He started nine of OU’s 11 games this season and made 31 tackles. He also had one interception, which he returned 63 yards for a touchdown against Nebraska.
D.J. Wolfe is the only cornerback to start every game. He and Onyenegecha had handled the chores most of the season. Eric Bassey will likely start against Oregon.
“Obviously it’s a position that we’re pretty thin at and now and our best corner is not going to play in the game,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “It limits you.”
Injury update
Stoops expects wide receiver Travis Wilson to be healthy enough to play against Oregon. Wilson, a senior, underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot Nov. 20.
“He’s doing some running right now and we’re hoping he will be (medically) cleared once we get to San Diego,” Stoops said.
Also, defensive end Larry Birdine has been cleared to practice. Birdine has missed the entire season after suffering a biceps injury in August.
Stoops said he will not play in the Holiday Bowl, though.
Shrine for Ingram
OU linebacker Clint Ingram is on the West roster for the 2006 East-West Shrine Game.
Ingram leads the Sooners this season with four interceptions, including one he returned 48 yards for a touchdown against Tulsa. One of only three senior starters on the OU defense, Ingram made 57 tackles in 10 games. He had 10 tackles for loss, the fifth-highest total on the team.
That event has moved this year to the Alamodome in San Antonio after 80 years in San Francisco.
Team awards
OU held its annual awards banquet Friday and handed out three individual awards. Quarterback Hays McEachern and defensive back Dan Dixon shared the Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-on award.
Cornerback Eric Bassey and center Chris Chester shared the Bob Kalsu award.
McEachern and defensive end Brody Eldrige were named the scout team players of the year.
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