Murray's status unknown for Big 12 game

A few leftovers and one update from the late finish to Oklahoma's 47-41 victory over Oklahoma State Saturday night:

*There was no official word on Sooners running back DeMarco Murray's apparent knee injury suffered early in the fourth quarter. Coach Bob Stoops said after the game he did not believe the injury was serious. Sunday, associate athletic director Kenny Mossman said he had not heard anything new but that team medical personnel were optimistic that Murray was not seriously injured. His presence will be crucial to the Sooners' chances of defeating Nebraska for the championship. I don't think they win without the all-purpose back, who Stoops has relieved of kickoff return duties in favor of receiver Trey Franks and back Brennan Clay.

*Defensive coordinator Brent Venables, as mentioned in the game column, came up with another insightful plan against the Cowboys, using a '50' scheme the staff studied during the offseason, including a trip to visit with Nick Saban's staff at Alabama. Frequently, Venables utilized a 3-man front with only one defensive tackle in the game. Sometimes none. Ends Frank Alexander, Ronnell Lewis and David King all played on the front. End Jeremy Beal was mostly used as an outside linebacker. Venables also frequently sent linebacker Austin Box on a corner blitz. Great plan.

"We got in a little bit of an odd front, more than we ever have," Stoops said. "It worked out well for us. I thought the kids executed well. And Brent did a nice job mixing that in."

Venables has been mentioned as a candidate at Miami, which fired coach Randy Shannon Saturday.

*OSU Mike Holder's exorbitant ticket policy resulted in a less-than-sold-out crowd of 51,164 (cap. 60,218) for the biggest game of the modern era.

*OU ran a season-high 107 plays and outgained OSU 588-379.

*OU scored 23 points in the fourth quarter. The Sooners had scored only 32 all season.

*Safety Javon Harris, despite a shove on a kickoff that brought a 15-yard penalty, played one of the best games of his career subbing for Jonathan Nelson who got his bell rung. Stoops said after the game he did not believe Nelson would miss any time. 

*OU kicker Jimmy Stevens tied a career high with 4 field goals. He has made his last seven in two games. Saturday night he also tied the record of 17 points in a game by a kicker, matching Trey DiCarolo's total against Texas in 2003.

Comments

[Sidney Porter]

Why the man-crush for Venables? Okie Lite put up 41 points, if I recall correctly. I shudder to think what they would have scored with a healthy Justin Blackmon. This week Venables gets Nebraska without Taylor Martinez, so he lucks out once again.

[ed long]

Sidney: Apparently you don't know that the 7 points given up on special teams and 7 points given up on an interception returned for a touchdown do not count against OU's defense. That said, they still gave up 27 points without a healthy Blackmon. Hopefully, Venables will get lucky again without a healthy Martinez. Why no Kevin Wilson bashing? Oh, that's right. OU scored 47 points. All against OSU's defense. Go hide in your hole again til next year, you closet Poke fan!

[gus]

Speaking of next year, take a gander at the poke schedule for 2011. Another 9 or 10 season?