Injury, game plan cause OU's Brody Eldridge to move to guard

BY JAKE TROTTER, Staff Writer, jtrotter@opubco.com Comment on this article

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But unlike the opener, Eldridge started at left guard, instead of center.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he decided to make the switch for two reasons.

First, the Sooners were missing starting left guard Brian Simmons, out with a knee injury.

Second, Wilson's game plan was to run predominantly a spread offense against the Longhorns, which would have put Eldridge on the sidelines for much of the game.

Moving Eldridge to guard filled Simmons' void and also put one of OU's best blockers on the field for more than just a handful of plays.

"We didn't feel like we were going to be in many true tight end sets," Wilson said. "And we felt like Brody would give us a calming presence on the line."