Backup Center Leaves Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Backup center Chase Beeler has left the Oklahoma football team, coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday night. <br/><br/>``Chase wants to concentrate on his academic interests. He just decided

Tuesday, August 14th 2007, 8:42 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Backup center Chase Beeler has left the Oklahoma football team, coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday night.

``Chase wants to concentrate on his academic interests. He just decided that he did not want to play any more,'' Stoops said in a statement. ``We respect his decision. We're all for Chase. He was a good, strong student-athlete while he was with our program and we wish him the best.''

Beeler played in five games last season as a freshman, starting as an injury replacement against Middle Tennessee. The 6â€™3 Beeler totaled 18 knockdowns last season _ including 11 in that lone start.