Latest news with #OU
USA Today
3 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker makes Nagurski Award watch list
It's officially watch list season in college football as the 2025 season kicks off in late-August with Week Zero, and then Week One action takes place on Thursday through Monday of Labor Day weekend. The Oklahoma Sooners had another player make a preseason watch list for a postseason award on Tuesday. Linebacker Kip Lewis was one of 60 players named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. The only Oklahoma Sooners to win the award were Roy Williams in 2001 and Derrick Strait in 2003. Both did so under Brent Venables when he was the defensive coordinator at OU. Strait represents the last defensive back to win an award that's been dominated by linebackers and defensive linemen over the last 23 years. Lewis provided two of OU's best moments during the 2024 season. His pick six against Auburn gave Oklahoma a lead they wouldn't relinquish late in the fourth quarter, while his pick six against Alabama ultimately put the Crimson Tide into an unrecoverable tailspin that night in Norman. Lewis returns in 2025 as one of the veteran leaders of head coach Brent Venables' defense. He's started at linebacker since midway through the 2023 season alongside Danny Stutsman. Now with Stutsman off to the NFL, the Sooners are hoping Lewis can help fill his big shoes at Oklahoma. He's entering his fourth year at Oklahoma, as a member of the 2022 recruiting class, Venables' first at OU. Lewis figures to have a big say in how good the Sooners could be on defense this year. Venables and his staff will be counting on the veteran to provide more big moments this fall. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Voice of Oklahoma Football's biggest questions for the Sooners
With fall camps across the Southeastern Conference beginning this week, questions about each team in the league are arising. At Oklahoma, long-time Sooners play-by-play announcer and new News 9 sports director Toby Rowland provided his three biggest question marks for OU's upcoming season on Monday. The top of his list is probably the same as most people's: How do the pieces fit on the offensive line? Oklahoma was atrocious up front last year, finishing in a tie for last in sacks allowed, giving up 50. "Not good at all a year ago, the o-line has been fortified, but where do the pieces fit?" Rowland said. Most of the pieces from last year remain, though highly-touted freshmen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje have been added to the mix. As to whether either freshmen are ready to start in the SEC, that's part of the question. The Sooners also brought in Derek Simmons from the transfer portal. Simmons didn't allow a sack last year, though that came playing at FCS Western Carolina. He's performed well in games against Arkansas and NC State over the last couple of years. He's penciled in as the likeliest starter at right tackle. Rowland's second question is a matter of who steps up behind Deion Burks, who is firmly entrenched as the team's No. 1 wide receiver. Arkansas transfer Isaiah Sategna earned plaudits from coaches upon arrival, and he caught 37 passes for the Razorbacks last year as a sophomore. Arkansas-Pine Bluff transfer Javonnie Gibson would likely step into a starting role if not for injury, leaving his immediate availability in doubt. Injury was OU's bugaboo at the position last year. "Keep the wideouts healthy," Rowland said. "We don't need to remind anyone of the disaster that room turned into a year ago." Finally, the question of tight end ranked third. Not the most important position on the roster, but one Oklahoma would prefer to utilize more than it currently looks based on the roster makeup. "This is the position that carries the most doubt going into the fall," Rowland said. The most likely options are Kaden Helms, with his three career receptions, FCS transfer Carson Kent from Kennesaw State, Division II transfer Will Huggins from Pittsburg State, or converted linebacker Jaren Kanak. Not necessarily a blue-chip group to work with but the Sooners are simply hoping the tight end position provides a net positive to the offense in 2025. That none of the biggest questions for this team are on the defensive side of the ball is encouraging, but the offense led by John Mateer and Jaydn Ott has a lot to prove in 2025. Oklahoma begins its season August 30 against FCS Illinois State before Michigan visits Norman in Week 2. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bob Stoops raves about Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer
Just about everyone who has encountered new Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has raved about him. And now, you can add Sooners legend Bob Stoops to the list of devotees. Stoops made his weekly appearance with Tyler McComas and Teddy Lehman on KREF last week and shared his encounter with Mateer in the Oklahoma training room. The former OU head coach was getting some work done on his knee and sat next to Mateer. "What a great guy. You can tell just naturally very confident, sure of himself," Stoops said. "Just watching him, visiting him, he is very similar to Baker (Mayfield) in the way that he handles himself." Mayfield landed at Oklahoma from Texas Tech near the end of Stoops' 18-year stint leading the Sooners. The quarterback went from sitting out the 2014 season as a walk-on at OU to finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting during Stoops' final year, then winning the award in 2017. Mateer didn't begin as a walk-on, but his only two FBS scholarship offers out of high school were New Mexico State and Washington State. After limited duty in his freshman and redshirt freshman seasons, Mateer broke out last year as a sophomore, leading the nation with 44 total touchdowns. Incidentally, Mateer and Mayfield are similarly built, too. Mayfield was listed as 6-foot-1, 220 pounds his final collegiate season. Mateer was listed as 6-foot-1, 224 pounds on the Sooners official roster for 2025. "I'm excited about him," Stoops said. "The great experience he has and experience he has with (offensive coordinator Ben) Arbuckle. All of it matters. Having a guy like that on the field and in the building, everybody rallies around, that's a big deal." Oklahoma is just over a month out from the beginning of the 2025 season as FCS Illinois State visits Norman on August 30. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Study unveils avian trove, documents 452 bird species across Telangana
1 2 3 4 5 6 Hyderabad: A newly published research paper by a professor from Osmania University (OU) has documented 452 species of birds across Telangana. It is said to be one of the most comprehensive avifaunal checklists ever compiled for the state. Published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa on July 26, the study by Chelmala Srinivasulu from OU and Sriram Reddy from Hyderabad Birding Pals offers insights into Telangana's bird diversity, including rare sightings and first records for India, such as the Spur-winged Lapwing. It also highlights the presence of globally threatened species like the critically endangered Indian Vulture and Lesser Florican, underscoring the region's importance for bird conservation. "Birds are excellent indicators of environmental health," said Srinivasulu, adding: "Our work not only corrects outdated records but also showcases Telangana's hidden biodiversity-rich areas from wetlands to forests, from grasslands to urban lakes." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Reddy, co-author, added, "This checklist is not just for scientists. It is for every nature lover, student, and amateur birder. We urge people from all walks of life to take up birdwatching, not just as a hobby, but as a meaningful connection to our natural heritage." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Official IQ Test: What is Your IQ? | Answer 30 Questions to Find Out IQ International Undo Researchers pointed out that the paper is the result of decades of field observations, historic record reviews, and community-contributed data. "Citizens must appreciate and protect the birds around them. Policymakers need to work in tandem with researchers and experts to prioritise habitat identification and conservation. Our bird diversity and populations are declining due to many direct and indirect threats. We must nurture a new generation of bird lovers," added Srinivasulu.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
SEC Network analyst thinks this Oklahoma wide receiver is primed for a breakout year
This time last year, everyone involved with Oklahoma Sooners football was raving about former Purdue wide receiver Deion Burks. He was so impressive in the spring of 2024 that he looked like he could be the best wideout in a loaded room in Norman. After a solid start to the season, Burks was injured in Week 4 against Tennessee and played in just one more game the rest of the year. He was added to the list of injured OU WRs and part of the reason the Sooners struggled so much on offense last year. Burks decided to come back for his final season at Oklahoma. If he can stay healthy this season, he has a chance to make good on all of the potential he showed in his first spring at OU. Appearing on "That SEC Podcast", SEC Network college football analyst Cole Cubelic identified three breakout candidates in the SEC for this upcoming season. Burks was among them, with Cubelic raving about what Burks could bring to the new offense in Norman. "Deion Burks at Oklahoma, if I said that name, how many people would know who that is?" Cubelic asked. "Dude can freaking go, and if he's healthy, he's a problem." It's still a bit of an unknown as to what exact role Burks will have in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's offense. However, Arbuckle probably likes that opponents don't know what to expect out of Burks in the new system. If Burks can stay healthy, develop chemistry with quarterback John Mateer, and Arbuckle can scheme up touches for the dynamic playmaker, Cubelic could be spot-on about Burks having a big year in 2025. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
