Bob Stoops Press Conference-Week One

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma – University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops held his first weekly press conference of the 2011-12 football season Monday.

Stoops took questions from the media for about 40 minutes and addressed a variety of topics.

Below are some of the highlights from the press conference.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. for more video and player interviews from today's presser.

On OU's preseason:
Coach Stoops was quick to say he thinks the team has had a good preseason camp. "I think our preparation has been good and solid throughout."

He went on to day that the heat was actually good for them, but that the last week of camp was the worst as far as the heat went.

On the Sooners first opponent, the University of Tulsa:
"They got a lot of great players....You don't average 500 yards per game without lot of great players," said Stoops who also cited TU's big win over Notre Dame last season.

Stoops also added that the experiences, maturity, ability to throw and run, are all traits that concern him about TU quarterback G.J. Kinne.

Coach Stoops also praised TU head coach Bill Blankenship and said "Tulsa is an excellent football team."

On OU's Backup Quarterbacks:
Monday, OU released its depth chart for game one and at the quarterback position it says Drew Allen "or" Blake Bell.

Tuesday, Stoops described the battle for number two as Allen having a "slight edge" over Bell but that they will continue to get Blake in the rotation.

On losing Travis Lewis and Austin Box:
After the tragic and sudden death of senior Austin Box, the Sooners recently lost linebacker Travis Lewis due to injury, both blows to the Sooners' team.

"Losing Travis and Austin is a significant blow, it's hard to ignore. I'm not going to act like that doesn't matter," said Stoops.

Stoops said that as far as the Box family goes, that they "keep including them in whatever family activity they were used to."

Stoops said that on Friday he will decide who will wear Box's No. 12 jersey, that Travis Lewis is in charge of awarding it to one player each week.

Related Stories:
Travis Lewis Out WIth Broken Bone In Foot

Stoops On Ronnell Lewis Situation:
Stoops said he doesn't have any resolution as far as the status of defensive end Ronnell Lewis.

"I'm not going to debate it publicly," said Stoops about the uncertainty surrounding Lewis."It's just not fair to him. He deserves some privacy, doesn't he?"

The head coach went on to say that he hopes to hear something before Saturday.

It was previously stated that Lewis missed practice because of "family" or "personal" reasons.

On The Big 12 Conference and possible adjustments:
With all the talk of conference shifts and the possible flight of Texas A&M to the SEC, Stoops was asked about his opinion of the league.

When asked about the addition of Notre Dame, Bob responded "Sure I'd like to see Notre Dame in. Who wouldn't?"

"We got to play them next year anyway, might as well be in conference."

He also said he likes 12 over 10 teams in league.

On position players and play makers:
Stoops described Landry Jones as "much more confident and comfortable," as well as "bigger and stronger." He went on to say "he has a chance to be a special player."

Jarvis Jones, is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. He is recovering from a surgery he had in March to repair a torn right patella tendon. Stoops said he is "ahead of schedule" but that he has "no time table for his return."

Donald Stephenson will start at left tackle, but Lane Johnson will play and can play both sides.

As far as competition at the running back position Stoops said "We play guy that gives us best opportunity to win at this time. That's only way to keep your job in this business.

Stoops also mentioned Frank Alexander, Tom Wort, Jamell Fleming, Demontre Hurst and Corey Nelson as guys who could step up leadership roles.

At the kick returner spot, Stoops says Trey Franks, Roy Finch, Dominique Whaley, Brandon Williams and DeJuan Miller are all in the mix to return kicks.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles was described as "maybe the most competitive wide receiver I have ever been around" according to Stoops.

Stoops went on to say Broyles "makes things happen that sometimes don't make sense," and that he has become more of the leader the team needed him to.

Read more: OU Releases Week One Depth Chart