OU notebook: Sooners break in new field
BY DAVID UBBEN, Staff Writer, dubben@opubco.com
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Published: November 1, 2009
Big return for Murray
DeMarco Murray had to watch last week's 35-13 win over Kansas in street clothes from the sidelines thanks to a sprained ankle. On Saturday, the junior running back returned with three touchdowns, including a pair of fourth-quarter scores to cap drives that twice put the Sooners ahead by 12.
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"He's not quite at full strength, but he's still powerful," said coach Bob Stoops. "A lot of those short-yardage situtations, he has the power to pick them up."
Murray finished with 15 carries for 62 yards and caught 4 passes for 28 yards.
Fans bring out costumes
On Halloween night, Oklahoma fans didn't disappoint with their holiday game-day attire.
One fan came dressed in a Dez Bryant jersey, complete with a crying baby mask and sign that said, "I was scared."
When asked by NCAA officials why he lied when asked about his contact with Deion Sanders, the Oklahoma State receiver said he "panicked." Bryant was suspended by the NCAA until September 2010 earlier this week.
Another set of fans came dressed as Kansas State cheerleaders, with one male fan paying homage to the Wildcats' home state dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
Other celebrity sightings included our nation's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, and Nintendo stars Mario and Luigi.
Empty seats
Saturday's announced attendance was a sold-out 84,021, but fans left much of the lower bowl unoccupied. Several hundred seats were empty at the top of the student section and both top corners of the south end zone bleachers.
Breaking it in
Oklahoma was playing its first game on a brand-new field, replaced after U2 held a concert on Owen Field on Oct. 18. No players had visible issues changing directions on the new sod, and the field still looked in good condition after Oklahoma's win.
Knockin' em down
After Kansas State scored its first touchdown, a two-yard run by Keithen Valentine with 8:25 left in the second quarter, defensive tackle Adrian Taylor blocked Josh Cherry's extra point attempt to keep the Sooners up 21-6.
Midway through the third quarter, Auston English provided an encore, blocking a second Cherry extra point attempt to keep Oklahoma up 28-23.
Banks sets record
Brandon Banks returned a kick 98 yards with 11:18 to play in the game to bring Kansas State to within five points, 35-30. The return was Banks' fourth of the season, a conference record.
"That guy can go," Stoops said.
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And please, keep the grass. I was a little sad to see DKR's grass go the way of synthetic pro turf. Football was meant to be played on real grass. Go to South Bend some day and try to tell me that there is a better substance to play on. Although in fairness, Kentucky bluegrass wouldn't stand a chance in Austin.
Keep your heads up Sooners!
Hook'em
K
IF this happens, or even if it doesn't, the fairweather fans need to learn an important lesson. I've noticed some of you fairweather fans are back aboard now that we've won a couple in a row. If there are any conditions to you being on board, get off now. Do NOT wait until we lose to let the world know that you're not really an OU fan afterall.
I resent everyone of you fairweather fans who wrote dirty posts on these boards, wrote the players and coaches dirty emails and letters, or otherwise acted like the back end of a horse after each of three losses (by a combined total of five points). I no more consider you people Sooner fans now, than I did after the three losses when you felt so inclined to bash our players and coaches.
On the flip side, I tip my SOONER HAT to those real fans who put things in perspective and remained true fans after the losses. The best Sooner fans are as good as any in the country!