OSU football notebook

Who will replace all-Big 12 running back Dantrell Savage? Kendall Hunter and Beau Johnson might wind up sharing the starting job.

Hunter, a sophomore, rushed for 696 yards as a true freshman. Johnson, who ran for 1,756 yards to lead Butler (Kan.) Community College to a junior college national title, has adapted quickly to OSU's system.

"Kendall is doing what we want him to do and Beau has come a long ways,” said coach Mike Gundy. "Beau doesn't make many mistakes. Most of the time when you're learning this offense you make mistakes. He's doing very well. He's very mature and he's durable.”

Junior Keith Toston, held out of spring drills following major knee surgery in December, will be cleared for all football activities in June which will give the Cowboys three quality backs with experience.

•Primary focus: The defense had a solid scrimmage last Friday but defensive coordinator Tim Beckman continues to stress thast his only grade card is how the defense fares this fall.

"We just need to keep working hard and keep progressing,” Beckman said.

•Rubbing off: Coaches have said safety Lucien Antoine's knack for delivering hard hits has rubbed off on teammates.

"I would like for Lou to improve and keep that big-hit capability,” Gundy said. "It helps your defense. Even if he misses some tackles, the crowd loves to see people get blown up. That's why they watch ultimate fighting. That's why they're watching that instead of boxing.”

•Fontenot shines: Redshirt freshman Deron Fontenot has played well this spring. Fontenot, a safety who was moved to the hybrid linebacker position, is listed on the second team behind Andre Sexton.

"(Fontenot) is a try-hard kid,” Beckman said. "He'll do whatever it takes. That's why Deron Fontenot is a good football player. He's a better player because he loves the game. That's very, very important.”

•Eye in the sky: Co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer will be in the press box for the first time in more than a decade.

"You sure can see things a lot better up there,” Brewer said. "The advantage is you can see what's going on. It's hard to see alignments on the sidelines.

"The disadvantage is you may not get a true feel of what your players (are thinking) by looking in their eyes. You have to talk to somebody on the phone. The advantage is we have Wick (