Vitals: Oklahoma vs. Utah State

The Sooners enter this season looking to prove they are still one of the nation's elite.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:55 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 3, 2010 6:5 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Utah State Aggies at No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday, Sept. 4, 6:00 p.m. CST
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium; Norman, Oklahoma

Returning statistical leaders:

	Oklahoma	Utah State
Passing	Landry Jones 261/449, 3,198 yards, 26 TDs, 14 INTs	Diondre Borel 214/366, 2,885 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing	DeMarco Murray 171 carries, 705 yards, 8 TDs	Robert Turbin 207 carries, 1,296 yards, 13 TDs
Receiving	Ryan Broyles 89 receptions, 1,120 yards, 15 TDs	Stanley Morrison 33 receptions, 616 yards, 3 TDs

Injury Report:

Utah State: RB Robert Turbin (knee, out for season); WR Stanley Morrison (foot, out for season)

Oklahoma: DE Frank Alexander (leg, doubtful); DT Adrian Taylor (ankle, doubtful); LB Austin Box (back, out); RB Mossis Madu (suspension, out); RB Roy Finch (ankle, out)

Where to find it?

On TV: Pay-Per-View – Fox Sports Net

On Radio: Sooners Sports Network

What you need to know?

The Sooners are coming off a disappointing five-loss season, but much of that can be blamed on a rash of injuries that began before the season started. OU stayed relatively healthy through this summer and spring, but will have plenty of unproven players who see significant playing time Saturday.

Some position battles are still ongoing and could be decided by how players perform in their first game. The wide receiver position is completely up in the air, with Ryan Broyles being the only receiver who has locked up a starting spot. Veterans Dejuan Miller and Cameron Kenney will be competing with freshmen Trey Franks, Joe Powell and Kenny Stills for playing time.

Utah State and Oklahoma have played four previous times, all in Norman, and the Sooners won all four times. The last time the two teams played each other came in 2007, when OU won 54-3. Utah State head coach Gary Anderson is entering his second season leading the Aggies and currently has a 4-8 record.

Who to watch?

DeMarco Murray is 100 percent healthy for the first time in years and shed nine pounds during the offseason. Coaches have said he is quicker and routinely shows the burst that gave him more than 1,000 rushing yards two years ago. The Sooners are hoping Murray can become a true workhouse running back and will try to get him as many touches as possible without overworking him.

On defense, keep an eye on new middle linebacker Tom Wort. Wort was supposed to see significant playing time as a true freshman last year, but he tore his ACL weeks before the season began and had to use his redshirt. With the injury to Austin Box, Wort will take over as the full-time starter. He is athletically gifted and has a constant motor, but Bob Stoops has said it can be difficult to calm him down. He will need to reign in his energy to avoid overrunning plays and leaving the middle of the field open.