OU football notebook

Today

This Week

Sports Today

1. Three accidents reported in city
2. Oklahoma City police looking for...
3. Suspect named in cheerleading stun...
4. City police shoot man fleeing arrest
5. Victim of fatal Norman accident...
6. Rascal Flatts guitarist returns to...
7. OSU's Ford hires assistant coach
8. At 19, mayor-elect's the pride of...
9. Stillwater mayor accused of sexual...
10. Final Four flipped on its head as...

1. Death toll at 6, everyone accounted for
2. Blake hopes to lead another football...
3. OU QB Nichol to transfer
4. Fans favor black and gold colors
5. Three accidents reported in city
6. The story of 3 OU quarterbacks who...
7. Picher storm victim identified; her...
8. Rodgers 'done' with Traber?
9. Oklahoma City police looking for...
10. Oklahoma City says team must...

1. OSU's Ford hires assistant coach
2. Final Four flipped on its head as...
3. Mayor rarely seen at Sonics' games
4. The list: College baseball's best...
5. Cheers & Jeers: Let's make it five...
6. Amber Flores has learned to make a...
7. Fans favor black and gold colors
8. While many volunteers spent time at...
9. $59 gets you cheapest Cowboys...
10. OU football notebook

View More Top Ten Categories...

With defenses focusing on stopping Adrian Peterson, the deep ball has been, and could continue to be, a weapon for the Sooners.

"I've definitely got to be comfortable with throwing deep balls," Thompson said. "With the types of defenses we're getting, they're allowing us to take those shots.

"With the kind of receivers we have and the playmakers we have on the field, it makes my job easier and makes my job more fun."

Of his playmaking receivers, sophomore Malcolm Kelly has shot to the top of the list.

Kelly had a school-record 134 receiving yards in the first quarter of OU's 59-0 win over Middle Tennessee State last Saturday. The record was previously held by tight end John Flynn, who had 128 yards on three receptions against Colorado in 1962.

Thompson says it isn't too difficult to throw to Kelly, a lanky, athletic, 6-foot-4 wideout.

"A couple times, I see him open for a split second and I just throw it up there, and I know he's going to make a big play," Thompson said. "Any one of you (the media) could just throw it up to him, and he'll make the play."

Overlooking OU?: While the Sooners are enjoying a bye the week before their yearly showdown with Texas in the Cotton Bowl, the Longhorns must maintain focus on the task immediately ahead: Sam Houston State.

The Division I-AA Bearkats aren't considered to be of the caliber to upset the No. 7 Longhorns — they lost their only other game against a Division I-A opponent 45-14 to SMU — but Texas coach Mack Brown doesn't want his players looking ahead to Oklahoma.

"It is a regular Saturday," Brown told the Austin American-Statesman. "Ask the teams that have lost to I-AA teams so far this year. The only way this one gets big is to not play well or to lose it."