OU football notebook: Ryan Broyles practices

Sophomore receiver Ryan Broyles practiced on Wednesday, but no decision has been made on his status for Saturday’s game against Texas. Coach Bob Stoops said a decision would likely be made today or Friday.

Junior safety Quinton Carter also practiced, but could be a game-time decision.

Broyles fractured his left shoulder blade on a first-quarter reception against Miami and didn’t play against Baylor. Carter injured his knee against Baylor and did not return to the game.

Former OU receiver Manuel Johnson, who is on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad after playing at Oklahoma last season, told the Dallas Morning News that he expects Broyles to play Saturday.

"Yeah, he’ll play,” Johnson told the paper. "It will help.”

Johnson said he often texts and talks to Broyles.

QB Sam Bradford may be known for having a laid-back personality. But by many accounts, he was far from laid back during halftime of last week’s game against Baylor.

With OU ahead only 14-7, Bradford was "extremely vocal” during the break. Whatever Bradford said, it worked, as the Sooners rolled to a 33-7 win following a much smoother second half.

"That was the thing that we were missing a lot, Sam’s leadership in the locker room,” said left tackle Trent Williams. "It was kind of surprising.”

Fullback Matt Clapp played last weekend with a cast, to protect his hand he broke Oct. 7. Surprisingly, even wearing a cast, Clapp got a chance to catch a touchdown against Baylor, but he was unable to bring in the ball.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson pointed out that Clapp showed he could catch the ball fine with the cast late last week.

Tight end Brody Eldridge has also played with a cast this season, after breaking a finger the second week of the season.

Wilson admitted he’s making a more concerted effort lately to get running back DeMarco Murray more touches, now that Murray is completely healthy following hamstring and toe injuries that hampered him early on in the non-conference.

After averaging 13 touches in OU’s first three games, Murray has gotten an average of 23 touches an outing in games against Miami and Baylor.

"We’re trying to get him the ball in space, with him and Chris (Brown) on the field, where he is a slot receiver, too,” Wilson said. "It’s a combination of him getting a few more tailback touches and also trying him a few plays out at the receiver just because of the numbers there. I think he’s feeling better. He’s been increasingly competitive the last couple weeks. I think we’re trying to force the ball in his direction whether by run plays or pass plays where he has a chance to be a primary target in the pass game, where the ball has a chance to get into his hands. He’s more healthy, and we’re trying to get him more touches.”

OU senior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger has been charged with one count of driving with a suspended license. Granger was detained Monday by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department, court records show.

The penalty for the criminal misdemeanor carries a fine of between $100-500 for first-time offenders.

Granger, a starter earlier in his career, underwent back surgery last December and has yet to step on the field this season.

It’s tough to tell how much better OU’s offense is from the start of the season. But Bradford pointed out earlier this week, he noticed the offense was a lot better last weekend against Baylor than in the Sooners’ season opener against BYU.

"I feel like this offense has improved,” he said. "I think if you just look at us, the way we played last Saturday compared to the way we played the first Saturday, you’d see a lot of improvement. I think penalty wise we were a lot more clean Saturday than we were versus BYU. I think we played with a greater tempo on Saturday than we did in the first game. I think our overall communication is better among the different position. I just feel like we’re becoming a better offense now."

Sophomore wide receiver Dejuan Miller finally showed why his teammates have been raving about his potential the last two years.

Miller caught five passes for 67 yards against Baylor in by far the finest game in his career. Now, Miller is vying for a starting role.

"He made some great plays out there for us. I think there was a big third down he caught a slant, kind of a diving catch in man coverage, it was a huge catch to keep the drive going for us,” Bradford said. "I’ve seen that all along since last spring and for him to come out there and do that in this atmosphere and a Big 12 game was nice to see. Hopefully he’ll continue to do that.”

One of OU’s biggest strengths is its defensive line, with four returning starters from last season. Conversely, the Longhorns have one of their best offensive lines in years.

All of which should make for an interesting battle in the trenches when Texas has the ball.

"They’ve got excellent players up there,” Stoops said. "The part you feel positive about is we feel we are (excellent) on the defensive line also. That’s a big matchup.”

All week, Texas coaches have been playing "Boomer Sooner” in the Longhorns’ locker room, as a psychological ploy.

"I think it’s kind of funny they make everybody sick of ‘Boomer Sooner,’” Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley told reporters. "It’s one of the things they do every year, play the fight songs of the other teams so you get sick of it. It kind of adds to getting ready to play every game."

Bradford and Texas QB Colt McCoy have developed quite the friendship in the last year, often exchanging text messages.

Sometimes, the two even jab at one another.

"It adds a little bit more knowing that if we win, I can probably send him a text and say something, and I’m sure if he wins he’ll say something to me,” Bradford joked. "But it’s all in good fun.”

"Losing close games is like eating peas when you are a kid. Nasty.” — OU defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, just before saying he’d rather get blown out than lose another close game.

"I hope I’m outta here by the time that happens.” — Bradford, on the impending fifth statue scheduled to go up in OU’s Heisman Park in his honor.

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