OU practice report: Aug. 13
Few days have gone by this August where temperatures didn’t reach 100 degrees in Norman.
One way the Sooners have combated such heat is practicing in the morning.
“We’re not out in the worst part of it,” Stoops said. “We finish in the mornings. We used to do more evening practices, where even we’re out there at six o’clock, it’s still 100 degrees. Now, we start at 9:45, we’re finished by noon, and I check my car every time and it’s only about 90-91 by noon. So we’re staying away from it best we can and it’s helping.
“Staying away from it helps keep guys on the field. No hydration issues, they’re cramping very little. So we’re getting snaps on the field, rather than guys being in the tent or the training room.”
* Stoops said freshman WR Kenny Stills continues to impress. “He’s making competitive plays out there,” Stoops said. Stoops said the receivers as a whole have made several “competitive plays” the last couple of practices.
* Stoops singled out two other freshmen today: DT Daniel Noble and CB Aaron Colvin.
“Daniel Noble is really impressive,” he said. “Another guy that’s been impressive as a freshman is Aaron Colvin, right here from Oklahoma. A really impressive guy his first week-and-a-half here.”
Stoops also said, “Roy Finch continues to be impressive. I don’t see that going away.”
* QB Landry Jones continues to look good in practice, Stoops said. “First, I’m really excited about the way he is playing. Stronger, everything he is doing. His progress is there you would hope would be there.”
Drew Allen and Blake Bell continue to battle for the No. 2 job.
* On to the kicking competition, where Jimmy Stevens has had a nice week of kicking, Stoops pointed out.
“He made a couple of nice long 30 and 40-something yards at the end of practice, where one side was going to do up-downs if he missed it,” Stoops said. “Michael Hunnicutt did the same thing.
“Jimmy is hitting it better, longer this year.”
* James Patton talked about his offensive line at length today.
He praised reserve tackle Josh Aladenoye for the work he’s put in this off-season.
“He’s gone from 340 to 308,” Patton said. “He wasn’t in the best of shape last year. But he’s moving better, playing better.”
Speaking of weight, Tyler Evans is at a stout 330.
“He’s a big-boned guy,” Patton said. “He cares, has got a great attitude.”
Donald Stephenson is at 321, and Ben Habern is at 298-302.
Patton noted he is pleased with the shape of the line. He also named Gabe Ikard, Brian Lepak, Ben Habern and Eric Mensik as players who have done well with leadership this fall.
* Today, the Sooners will hold their first major scrimmage, which is expected to last between 90-100 plays.
-JT
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