No. 10 Oklahoma looking for better start against UAB

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ On his first snap as Oklahoma's starting quarterback last year, Paul Thompson launched a deep ball that a wide-open receiver couldn't quite reach even with a diving lunge.

Saturday, September 2nd 2006, 1:33 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ On his first snap as Oklahoma's starting quarterback last year, Paul Thompson launched a deep ball that a wide-open receiver couldn't quite reach even with a diving lunge.

The Sooners went on and suffered a shocking 17-10 loss to TCU.

The Sooners hope for a better start to the season tonight when the 10th -ranked squad hosts Alabama-Birmingham in the season opener for both teams. Kickoff is set for 6 pm.

With the dismissal of quarterback Rhett Bomar right before fall camp, Thompson says he's excited to getting back under center and making some big plays.

Thompson says an impressive start could make a big difference for the Sooners this season.

Oklahoma is trying to get back to a BCS game for the third time in four years. After back-to-back losses in the BCS title game, the Sooners won the Holiday Bowl and finished 8-4 last season.

UAB is coming off a 5-6 season.