Notebook

Published: December 31, 2007

After missing the first three Arizona practices due to the flu, OU defensive end Auston English was back on the practice field Sunday.

English, the Big 12 sack leader, had been staying at the hotel watching film while his teammates were at practice.

"It was pretty rough for a while,” said English, who attended the Sunday morning press conference at the media hotel. "I'm feeling a lot better now.”

•Who will start at CB? Sunday morning, OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he's still unsure who will start at cornerback opposite Marcus Walker.

Sophomore Brian Jackson and redshirt freshman Dominique Franks have been battling for that spot all week.

Venables said OU likely would have a starter picked by today.

"Experience would help in that position, but we're not in a position to have that,” Venables said. "I think it matters (who starts) because we're going to say one is better. Are you splitting hairs at some point, maybe. But you don't know what you're going to get because neither one has played much. How they respond on the big stage and underneath the big lights remains to be seen.”

•Old friends: OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson called Bill Stewart when his old friend was named West Virginia's interim head coach.

"I asked him, ‘Are you Alexander Haig? Are you in charge?' ” Wilson said. "He's one of my best friends. I know that place is in flux, but I'm glad he's got this chance, even for a short time.”

Wilson served as Stewart's graduate assistant on the North Carolina staff in 1985-86.

"He's a passionate guy,” Wilson said of Stewart. "He loves that state. Those guys will be jacked up.”

Stewart said he was lucky that he wasn't fired at UNC to make way for Wilson, who he described as much smarter of the two. "I told coach (Dick) Crum that,” Wilson cracked. "He wouldn't listen.”

Stewart, Wilson said, "was a special guy in my life. We had a unique, close bond.”

By Jake Trotter and Berry Tramel

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