What OU football coach Brent Venables had to say about Drake Stoops' injury, SMU game
NORMAN — After OU's 73-0 win over Arkansas State in the season opener on Saturday, the Sooners are turning the page to their next one.
The Sooners continue their season against SMU on Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN+).
Here are some takeaways from OU football coach Brent Venables' weekly press conference on Tuesday:
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Injury update: Drake Stoops, others
Brent Venables initially said he didn't have too much of an update on three key injuries suffered against Arkansas State, but added some insight.
Wide receiver Drake Stoops suffered a shoulder injury early in the game.
He returned to the sidelines after halftime with a sling on the arm but could be seen moving his arm out of the sling and rotating at the shoulder.
Venables said Stoops wanted to return to the game but it didn't make sense to push him with a lead already established.
Sophomore cheetah Dasan McCullough suffered an ankle injury on just his second play, and returned to the sideline wearing a boot.
Venables said there was hope McCullough's sprain wasn't a high-ankle sprain and that he'd be able to return soon.
The most serious of the injuries suffered Saturday looked to be third-string quarterback Davis Beville, who had to be helped to the locker room after his late injury.
But the prognosis seemed more positive Tuesday than it was in the immediate aftermath of the game. Venables said Beville, who also suffered an ankle sprain, might not be available Saturday but that there was hope he'd be able to return in time for the Sept. 16 game at Tulsa.
Venables also said defensive end R Mason Thomas and running back Gavin Sawchuk, who both missed the season opener, would be available against SMU.
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Venables praises Calvin Thibodeaux
When Brent Venables was hired as OU's coach, he was open to retaining Calvin Thibodeaux as the Sooners' defensive line coach — if Todd Bates decided not to come with Venables from Clemson.
Bates ultimately jumped aboard, and Thibodeaux — who played for Venables in Norman — ultimately landed as SMU's defensive line coach.
"Obviously I was just up front and honest," Venables said. "Love Calvin and appreciate everything he did as a Sooner. ... He's just always ready. He valued his role. He's always ready, great teammate. ... Just a joy to coach."
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Extra points
➤On cornerback Gentry Williams: "It wasn't like he came out of his mama's womb as a corner. ... What I loved about him out of high school was as a skinnier athlete, he really tackled aggressively."
➤On offensive tackle Walter Rouse: "He didn't show up here with a know-it-all attitude. ... He came here for all the right reasons, said, 'OK, I'm not where I want to be. Oklahoma's going to give me a new type of challenge.' ... What a fun teammate. ... He's a relational guy so he's fit right in. He's a pig in the mud."
➤On the transfer portal having such a big effect on games in the first week: "It really doesn't matter how I feel at the end of the day, because I'm not changing it."
➤On freshman P.J. Adebawore: "He came into camp a little bit banged up but I've been really excited about where he is and where he's going. ... My expectation is he'll just continue to enhance his role as the season goes on."
➤On the Sooners' pass rush: "I think it'll be tested in a different way. ... Good start. Nothing to beat our chest about. ... I didn't expect them (his team) to come out and look like the '85 Bears day one either."
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football's Brent Venables talks about Sooners' injuries, SMU game
