■ Oklahoma notes
Oklahoma's strong finish
earns trip to San Diego
Rhett Botnar's growth
under center has helped
the Sooners finish strong
BY SCOTT]. ADAMS
SPORTS REPORTER
After its season-opening 17-10
home loss to TCU, it appeared that
defending national finalist Okla
homa had nowhere to go but for
ward in trying to reach the Big 12
conference title game and a Bowl
Championship Series berth.
The Sooners never found their foot
ing, however, losing two of their
next four games and limping into a
third-place conference finish.
The Sooners’ berth in the Holiday
Bowl may not be the exclamation
mark head coach Bob Stoops was
looking for to cap off his first seven
years at Oklahoma, but he’s proud of
his team for the invite.
“We consider it an honor to be in
vited to the Pacific Life Holiday
Bowl,” said Stoops. “This game has
certainly earned its position among
the elite bowl games nationally. ”
Oklahoma’s berth in the Holiday
Bowl is the program’s first and is a
tribute to its resilience. The Sooners
never quit this year, as they were ac
cused by college football analysts of
doing in last year’s BCS title game.
Even after rival Texas handed them a
45-12 loss Oct. 8, they bounced back,
taking five of their final six games to
close out the season.
Freshman quarterback Rhett
Bomar was handed the starting job
under center and faced a trial by fire
filling in for the departed Jason
White, winner of the 2003 Heisman
Trophy. It took Bomar three games
to total over 100 yards passing but
once he did, he and the offense both
began to show improvement.
Bomar passed for a season-best 298
yards and completed 20 of 28 passes
in Oklahoma’s 36-30 victory over
Texas A&M Nov. 12. He threw and
ran for a touchdown in the win
which made the Sooners bowl
clinching win.
The defense turned the corner after
the loss to Texas as well. It held Kansas
to a field goal the following week and
played an essential part in Oklahoma’s
regular season ending 42-14 win over
Oklahoma State. Linebacker Rufus
Alexander led the Sooners with four
tackles and a sack.
Courtesy
Linebacker Rufus Alexander was Oklahoma’s leading tackier with 93 total tackles, including
50 solo. He accumulated 17 tackles for 51 yards lost and had five sacks this season.
Remember me?
Tailback Adrian Peterson has had a
quiet sophomore season after being a
finalist for the Heisman Trophy last
year. Injury has been his biggest set
back. Peterson sprained his ankle
earlier in the season and has not
been 100 percent healthy since. He
has still managed to rush for more
than 1,000 yards this year. Last year
against the Ducks, Peterson carried
the ball 24 times for 183 yards
Hold on to the ball
Opponents have made a killing off
of Oklahoma fumbles. Bomar alone
has put the ball on the ground 16 times
with five of them being against UCLA.
Bomar has thrown nine interceptions
as well, but he’s not the only Sooner
having trouble protecting the ball. Pe
terson has six fumbles to his credit and
wide receiver Lendy Holmes and tail
back Jaco Gutierrez have two apiece.
Best two out of three
With the Sooners facing Oregon
this and next season, the two
schools will have met on home,
away and neutral ground for three
years straight. Oklahoma was the
victor last year in Norman, Okla.,
by way of a 31-7 win.
sadams@dailyemerald. com
l
023880
Dear Students,
As you have probably noticed, the Counseling & Testing Center is currently undergoing
a substantial remodel. Consequently, our contractors have asked us to vacate the
building while our new air handling system is installed during Winter Break.
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appointments or phone coverage. If you have an emergency during this time, please
contact White Bird at 687-4000 as they will remain staffed 24 hours every day.
From December 27th to January 6th, you may call 346-3227 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday to be connected with a counselor by phone. We will have
intermittent heat and electricity during this time, so will still NOT be available for any
on-site counseling. After hours and evening emergencies will continue to be handled by
White Bird.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Sincerely,
Counseling & Testing Center Staff
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