OU notebook: Jermaine Gresham addresses media, too

Moments before his quarterback, Sam Bradford, was set to answer questions about his decision to undergo surgery, Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham took the podium and jokingly spoke into the microphone.

He didn’t expect to do it for real 15 minutes later.

"It’s been very, very hard on me. You work hard for the season, and then you’re not able to play. It’s tough,” said Gresham, who hasn’t spoken to reporters since tearing cartilage in his knee just days before OU’s season opener.

Gresham has had season-ending surgery. He was brief when asked how his rehabilitation had progressed.

"I’m good,” he said, later adding that he plans to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in late February. Gresham is not concerned where he might land in the draft.

"I just want the opportunity,” he said. "I don’t look at it like that, I just hope I get picked.”

ABC has notified the Big 12 that it will utilize the second of three six-day selections for the 2009 season for games of Nov. 7.

ABC has held in three games for consideration in two different telecast windows — 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. — and will choose from between Oklahoma at Nebraska or Oklahoma State at Iowa State or Kansas at Kansas State. VERSUS will select the game not chosen by ABC for telecast at 11:30 a.m. FSN has opted to go with Central Florida at Texas at 11 a.m.

OU-Nebraska, OSU-Iowa State and Kansas-Kansas State games will all be televised — two on ABC and one on VERSUS.

Contrary to a report Monday, Oklahoma will not be seeking a medical hardship for senior defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger, a school spokesman said.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables told reporters Sunday that the school was going to apply for a hardship for Granger, who has not played this season after undergoing back surgery last December.

But Granger is not eligible for a hardship because he hasn’t had multiple injuries. OU has, however, applied for a hardship for senior middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds, who has endured three knee surgeries during his career, including one last year that ended the last half of his junior season.

Offensive linemen Trent Williams and Ben Habern both suffered minor ankle injuries against Kansas, but both players practiced on Monday.

"It’s just the little pains in the season, I have them every year,” Williams said.

Senior offensive lineman Trent Williams, on why the team stood behind Bradford during his press conference:

"To show everybody that we support Sam 100 percent in whatever he does. We’re not selfish and wanting him to come back for the team.”

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