Scouting the opponents' Press - September 2007 Newspaper Clippings:

 Colorado post-game:

CU stuns No. 3 Oklahoma: Boulder - Just as Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops predicted, the third-ranked Sooners couldn't run it up on Colorado. In fact, the Sooners couldn't even beat the Buffaloes.

Kevin Eberhart kicked a career-long 45-yard field goal as time expired to send Colorado past the stunned Sooners 27-24 Saturday....full story from The Denver Post

Colorado pre-game:

Big 12 Conference call: OU is dialed in: BOULDER - The race is on, but it might be for second place.

After one league skirmish last week that unfortunately was overshadowed by the winning coach's caterwauling, Big 12 Conference play begins in full today. Most eyes, many in a neighboring state, are focused on Oklahoma, trying to determine whether the No. 3 Sooners indeed are that good, virtually untested or maybe marginally overrated....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

Big opportunity for Buffaloes: BOULDER - To say they have been counting the days until this rematch would be a stretch; to say the University of Colorado football team has anticipated it would not be.

A season after losing 24-3 in Norman, Okla., the Buffaloes - contrary to the opinion of oddsmakers - believe they are better equipped on several fronts to confront Oklahoma....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

There's no challenge Dizon can't tackle: Boulder - There's no truth to the rumor Jordon Dizon once wrestled a bear to the ground. That's only because Colorado's senior linebacker hasn't had the opportunity.

But Dizon did chase wild boar through steep terrain near his hometown of Waimea on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Waimea is a small town known for its statue of Captain James Cook that commemorates the explorer's first contact with the islands in a nearby harbor in 1778....full story from The Denver Post

Rule changes putting more kick into college game: One of college football's great offensive breaks - not to mention bonehead moves - traditionally comes when the opposing kicker duck-hooks a kickoff out of bounds. The offense automatically gets the ball at the 35-yard line instead of the 20 after a touchback. This year, however, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema makes the opposing team re-kick it....full story from The Denver Post

Sooners freshman thrives at QB: Coming into the season, Oklahoma needed only to settle on a quarterback. It appears the Sooners hit the jackpot. With redshirt freshman Sam Bradford throwing 14 touchdown passes to complement a stable of explosive tailbacks, third-ranked Oklahoma leads the nation in scoring with 61.5 points per game. OU mauled Miami (Fla.) 51-13....full story from The Denver Post

Ex-Coloradans starring for OU: Boulder - It must be difficult for Colorado coaches to study Oklahoma's depth chart and see all that talent. Spotting two Front Range players who start on the Sooners' offensive line can't make the task any easier.

Junior center Jon Cooper (6-feet-2, 276 pounds) starred at Fort Collins High School. Junior left tackle Phil Loadholt (6-8, 352) played high school football at Fountain-Fort Carson....full story from The Denver Post

With Sooners en route, Buffs Smart'ing: Boulder - When talking about Saturday's homecoming game against third-ranked Oklahoma, coaches could use Colorado's new starting middle linebacker as an example of, well, playing Smart.

"Against Oklahoma you can't make mistakes that you might get away with against other teams," said Jeff Smart, a 5-foot-11, 250-pound sophomore....full story from The Denver Post

CU Football Notes: Kai Maiava, one of two freshman offensive linemen to debut last week against Miami (Ohio), will start Saturday at left guard against Oklahoma in place of Wes Palazzi.

Maiava, a 6-foot-1, 295-pounder from Wailuku, Hawaii, played about 40 snaps against the RedHawks and registered as many knockdown blocks as teammates who were in on nearly twice as many plays.

Running game coordinator/offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said Maiava is "a gamer. . . . The guy just out and played hard and aggressively....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

Hawkins: OU beatable: Boulder - Speaking on Tuesday during his weekly media luncheon, Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins didn't hesitate when asked if the Buffaloes can defeat third-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday at Folsom Field.

"Totally," Hawkins said. "Anybody is beatable, and anyone can beat you."

Colorado (2-2) is a three- touchdown underdog to a Sooners team (4-0) that averages 61.5 points per game and probably could score more than that in a track meet....full story from The Denver Post

Sooners rolling into Boulder: Boulder - Oklahoma looks every bit as good on game films as its No. 3 national ranking would suggest, Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins said earlier today during his weekly media luncheon.

"There're no weaknesses," Hawkins said. "I mean, they can throw it. They can run it. They're big up front. They've got speed.

"Same thing on defense," the coach added....full story from The Denver Post

Shortage of linebackers: The CU depth situation at linebacker has surpassed severe.

Marcus Burton was declared academically ineligible before the season. Projected preseason starter Michael Sipili last week was suspended for the fall semester, and his backup, R.J. Brown, is out this week while concussion symptoms linger....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

No. 3 Sooners quickly gain Buffs' attention: Boulder - Asked about third-ranked Oklahoma during Monday's Big 12 teleconference with the media, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said he hopes to use 12 players against the Sooners in the 11:30 a.m. (Mountain Time) game Saturday at Folsom Field.

"We're trying to do a little Canadian League defense and get another guy on the field," Hawkins said. "We're trying to see if we can work that into the equation....full story from The Denver Post

Trench monsters: Oklahoma's five starting offensive linemen average 6-foot-5 and about 322 pounds - and they bring more than mere size. In the unit rankings of its preseason college football edition, The Sporting News rated the Sooners' O-line as No. 2 nationally, behind Southern California.

Tackle Phil Loadholt, a transfer from Garden City (Kan.) Community College, is Oklahoma's tallest starter ever. The aptly named Loadholt, of Fountain Fort-Carson High School, stands 6-foot-8 and weighs upward of 360 pounds....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

Eye on ... the Sooners: For the record: Oklahoma is 4-0, ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press poll and No. 4 in the USA Today poll.

Streaking: Oklahoma, coming off a 62-21 victory Friday night at Tulsa, has scored 50 or more points in all four games. That occurred only one other time in the program's history - a four-game stretch in 2003....full story from The Denver Post

It's all good for Buffaloes: Boulder - If Colorado was looking ahead to its Big 12 Conference opener next weekend against fourth-ranked Oklahoma, the Buffaloes sure did a good job Saturday of keeping their feet on the ground at the same time.

Finally getting its running game going, Colorado (2-2) tuned up for the Sooners with a 42-0 laugher over Miami (Ohio) that brought smiles to CU players working on both sides of the ball.

"This was really good for the guys," CU quarterback Cody Hawkins said after throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. "But we know Miami isn't Oklahoma....full story from The Denver Post

Buffaloes win big in tune-up game: BOULDER - Better bottle some of that defensive intensity, that newfound leg power, too. Tune-up time is finished, and how the Colorado Buffaloes emerged from it will be determined very quickly.

No. 4 Oklahoma, averaging 61.5 points in its four 2007 wins, visits Folsom Field next Saturday (11:30 a.m. MT, FSN) in the Big 12 Conference opener for both teams....full story from the Rocky Mountain News

Tulsa post-game:

OU blows out Golden Hurricane 62-21: Whether it's Friday night or Saturday afternoon, the points keep coming for Oklahoma.

The Sooners' rare trip to Tulsa (their first road game of the year) and an even rarer Friday game did little to affect the Oklahoma offense.

Neither did the Tulsa defense....full story from the Tulsa World

OU upends Tulsa: Critics of No. 4 Oklahoma's early schedule got a stern dose of reality over the last two days, with Miami's domination of Texas A&M on Thursday (OU beat Miami 51-13) and the Sooners' impressive win over Tulsa, which had opened eyes nationally in its first two triumphs.

The Sooners came in leading the nation in scoring at 61.3 points per game -- and their scoring average actually went up. OU's 246 points in its first four games is the program's highest offensive total since 1917....full story from the Tulsa World

OU has learned since '05: Oklahoma's 2005 game against Tulsa was, first and foremost, the Adrian Peterson show. Peterson got top billing as he carried the Sooners to a 31-15 victory with his 32 runs for 220 yards.

But a lot of bit players, extras, understudies and even a few stage hands got a brief time in the spotlight in that game. And as unpleasant as an 8-4 season was to most Sooner fans, it was the foundation for the unbridled success this year's team has enjoyed so far....full story from the Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Wolfe recovering: Oklahoma strong safety D.J. Wolfe made a career-high 12 tackles the last time the Sooners played Tulsa two years ago. For him to be that productive Friday at Chapman Stadium might depend on the quadriceps he strained last week against Utah State.

"He'll be fine," OU secondary coach Bobby Jack Wright said....full story from the Tulsa World

Tulsa pre-game stories:

David, Goliath to clash: Experts in Las Vegas figure Oklahoma to be about three touchdowns better than Tulsa.

Many believe that's not enough points, but others believe a shocking upset is not out of the question.

In a classic David vs. Goliath, Tulsa is clearly the guy with a slingshot....full story from the Tulsa World

OU Notebook: No spies allowed: Ever wonder why, during spring or preseason scrimmages, fans are only allowed to sit on one side of Memorial Stadium, with the football team's backs to them?

"It's because I don't want someone sitting there watching one of our scrimmages . . . just sitting there getting it all," said head coach Bob Stoops.

All of what?....full story from the Tulsa World

OU Notebook: Friendly rivalry: No Sooner will take Friday's game at Tulsa more personally than Dominique Franks. Asked how many of the Golden Hurricane are friends of his, the former Union standout said: "Pretty much half the team, just guys I played against in high school or grew up with."

"I talked to Anthony Germany yesterday and I talked to Jamad Williams this morning," Franks said. "They were asking me if I was ready to play, stuff like that, small talk....full story from the Tulsa World

Tulsa regroups, adjusts for OU: After giving up a school-record amount of yardage against Brigham Young last Saturday night, is the Golden Hurricane a 700-yard defense?

"Definitely not," said Craver, staunchly defending the unit's honor after TU gave up 694 yards against BYU. "I couldn't tell you what happened....full story from the Tulsa World

Grading the 'D': NORMAN -- This week, Oklahoma faces its stiffest defensive test of the season. All the Sooner players and coaches say so.

Tulsa's high-powered, fast-paced offense is superior to anything No. 4-ranked OU has faced in its first three games -- statistically, personnel-wise and in just about every other way. TU doesn't huddle, calls plays in formation, snaps it quick and then does it again, as fast as possible....full story from the Tulsa World

As did TU's Smith, Stoops traveled road not taken: NORMAN -- Bob Stoops insists he wasn't offended when legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes didn't offer him a scholarship after Stoops' senior season in Youngstown, Ohio.

"I wouldn't have offered me, either," said Stoops, downplaying his standout career at Cardinal Mooney High School, which ended in the fall of 1977....full story from the Tulsa World

Win or lose, Friday is big for Tulsa: THERE IS A tendency to label Oklahoma's visit to Tulsa as the biggest game of the Golden Hurricane season.

Certainly, any time one of the state's two big schools visit Chapman Stadium, it is a big deal.

The grand old stadium on 11th Street will be filled and there is a special buzz in town....full story from the Tulsa World

Games on Friday will remain rare: NORMAN -- Oklahoma's appearance under the Friday night lights of Tulsa may be the Sooners' last for a long time.

"It's not something you'll see us do hardly ever," said coach Bob Stoops, whose Sooners will be making their first Friday night appearance since playing at Tulsa Aug. 30, 2002. "Joe Castiglione (OU's athletic director) checked with the high school coaches association about this one-time opportunity. There were many boards or committees he conferred with before we said, 'OK, well do it....full story from the Tulsa World

Will TU be the one?: OU has outscored North Texas, Miami and Utah State 184-26. The Sooners have 1,696 yards, the opposition has 539.

"You would like for it to be like that (every week), but it's not reality," OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said. "Somebody's going to give you a game."

The question is, will it be Tulsa on Friday at Chapman Stadium? The TU offense is easily the best OU will have faced in its first four games. Also, it's the Sooners' first road game....full story from the Tulsa World

Utah St. post-game stories:

OU starts rout early: NORMAN, Okla. - Utah State hoped it could make it to the fourth quarter and still be in the game against third-ranked Oklahoma.

The Sooners had this one pretty much wrapped up by halftime, though.

Oklahoma scored all six times it touched the ball in the first half, and the Sooners rolled to a 54-3 victory over the Aggies on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

USU QB's debut was memorable: NORMAN, Okla. - Jase McCormick likely won't forget the first time he took a snap for the Aggies.

That's because it came against the third-ranked team in the nation.

The sophomore quarterback just wishes the end result would've been different....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

Sooners' dominance starts early: NORMAN, Okla. - The clock ticked down and the Utah State Aggies looked up at the dismal numbers. They trailed by five touchdowns and were being outgained by 350 yards.

It was only halftime.....full story from The Salt Lake Tribune

Aggies get overwhelmed: NORMAN, Okla. - The Utah State Aggies walked into Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, a place that boasts seven national titles, four Heisman winners and countless other accolades, on Saturday and left humbled.

The crowd of 84,403 - the third-largest crowd to see the Aggies - contained no more than 50 Utah State fans, who were tucked in the corner near the Oklahoma tunnel. The rest wore crimson and shook the stadium with chants of "Boomer Sooner" shortly before kickoff....full story from The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah St. pre-game stories:

New-look Ags try to slow Sooners: Neither North Texas nor Miami could slow smooth-running Oklahoma in the first two weeks of the college football season.

Today, Utah State gets its chance, minus two starters.

With defensive tackle Ben Childs out for the season with a broken leg and senior safety Antonio Taylor gone after being kicked off the team for an undisclosed rules violation, the Aggie defense has undergone a forced reorganization at precisely the wrong time....full story from The Salt Lake Tribune

Aggies take on No. 3 Sooners: NORMAN, Okla. - Utah State head coach Brent Guy has seen some pretty phenomenal football teams during his tenure as a collegiate coach.

He'll be seeing another one today when the Aggies take on the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is slated for 1:30 p.m. MST.

"We've got to go play what is about as talented of a team as I've seen in a long time," Guy said....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

USU notes: Sooners taking Ags seriously: LOGAN, UTAH - If Oklahoma was simply tuning up for the Big 12 season, Utah State would stand a better chance of surprising the third-ranked Sooners on Saturday.

After last week's 51-13 victory over Miami, however, Oklahoma and its fans are thinking about a berth in the national championship game. That means no slip-ups, no letdowns and no chance of overlooking the underdog Aggies....full story from The Salt Lake Tribune

OU QB turning heads: In just two career starts, Sam Bradford has already made a case of being one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

Bradford, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, has guided the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners to a pair of blow-out victories and is already being considered a Heisman candidate....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

Aggies (Utah St.) pay high price for cash: The payday for playing Oklahoma: $500,000. The experience for the players: priceless.

Utah State athletic director Randy Spetman has seen the impact of so-called body-bag games from both sides....full story from The Salt Lake Tribune

Can the Aggies (Utah St.) actually hang with the Sooners?: After two respectable showings, the Aggies must now prepare for their biggest challenge in perhaps two decades.

Utah State is staring an 0-3 start right in the face. With a date at No. 3 Oklahoma this Saturday, the outcome probably won't be decided in the fourth quarter this time.

That is still the goal this week for the Aggies, however....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

Utah State's leading tackler suspended for rest of season: Senior safety Antonio Taylor was suspended Monday morning for the rest of the year for violation of team rules. Aggie head coach Brent Guy did not give any details about why.

"No," said Guy, when asked to expound on the suspension. "It's just policy and team rules"....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

(Utah St.) Ags still winless, but plenty of improvement: It has not showed up in the win column yet, but the Aggie football team has played considerably better to start the 2007 season.

Just ask the opposition.

In a 23-16 setback in the season opener against UNLV, the Rebels head coach Mike Sanford praised his team first for rallying for the winning score with a minute to play, but then quickly talked about how much Utah State has improved....full story from The Herald Journal (Logan, Utah)

Miami game:

Hurricanes routed by No. 5 Sooners: The University of Miami wanted to show the world it was back. But on a Saturday that started rainy and ended sunny, it was the fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners who proved they're staying right where they are -- among the elite.

A record crowd of 85,357 watched Oklahoma defeat the Hurricanes 51-13 at Memorial Stadium.

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford completed 19 of 25 passes for 205 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Sooners.....full story from the Miami Herald

Bradford slings 5 TDs in Oklahoma's rout: By the time Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford threw his school record-tying fifth touchdown pass, the bad memories from past Miami games were long gone.

Malcolm Kelly caught three of Bradford's TD passes and Reggie Smith returned a fumble for a score as the No. 5 Sooners rolled over Miami 51-13 in their first meeting since the Hurricanes swept three games in the 1980s.

"That didn't matter," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "It makes for a good story, but that's a long time ago....full story from the Sporting News