Oklahoma Football Notebook: Trevor Knight Out For Bedlam

After a bye week to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Sooners are back in action this week, taking on Oklahoma State in Norman on Saturday. On Monday, Bob Stoops and players met with the media to discuss the latest edition of Bedlam.

-Stoops said Trevor Knight has been ruled out for Saturday's game and so Cody Thomas will make his third straight start for the Sooners. Stoops said he was hopeful Knight could come back for the game, but wouldn't speculate on it. Blake Bell will be the backup quarterback. Sterling Shepard's status isn't a sure thing, as it all depends on his ability to go full speed. Quentin Hayes, who suffered an ankle injury against Kansas, is questionable.

-The Big 12 finally relented this week, giving the Sooners a 2:30 p.m. kickoff after three straight home games that started at 11 a.m. Stoops joked the media's quoting his complaining probably tipped the balance in their favor. Defensive end Chuka Ndulue called it, “lovely,” saying he could squeeze in a movie the night before since he wouldn't have to get up as early.

-The Big 12 announced today it would be offering full cost-of-attendance scholarships and other increased aid to student athletes beginning in the fall, including multi-year scholarships. Stoops called it a great thing and it is a terrific thing for the conference.

-Last year's Bedlam ended with a crowd of Sooners in front of the OSU student section as snowballs and other things were thrown at them. Ndulue said he wasn't hit with any snowballs, but did say a couple of turkey legs came his way. “I would've eat them,” he joked.

-Stoops said he feels good about the Sooners' passing game with Thomas as the starting quarterback, even though there have been inconsistencies. Stoops said there will be plenty of Samaje Perine and the run game, but he still wants to throw the ball against the Cowboys. Unfortunately for the Sooners, the OSU front seven is the strength of the defense and so Oklahoma will have to throw the ball well in order to open things up for the run game.

-Stoops was asked about his thoughts on Bill Blankenship and Bo Pelini. Stoops said he “hated it” for both of them, and added he found Pelini's “surprising,” given the success Nebraska has had under Pelini. The coaching business is a tough one and if you don't win, you're going to find yourself looking for a job.

-The controversial finish in the 3A quarterfinals between Douglass and Locust Grove has commanded headlines over the weekend. Stoops was asked what wisdom he would share with Douglass and said there weren't any words for a situation like that. Stoops said he was complimented for how well he handled the officiating debacle at Oregon in 2006, but he said that's because he hadn't seen the video yet.