Reloaded Sooners have hopes for title run

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The decision to play one more year with the Oklahoma Sooners wasn't that tough for quarterback Jason White. <br/><br/>His first full season as the OU starter took the team to the

Tuesday, August 10th 2004, 2:14 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The decision to play one more year with the Oklahoma Sooners wasn't that tough for quarterback Jason White.

His first full season as the OU starter took the team to the brink of the 2003 national championship and earned him the Heisman Trophy.

But White stumbled badly at the end of the season in losses to Kansas State in the Big 12 title game and Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl. So he put an NFL payday on hold.

Oklahoma needs only to replace two starters on offense and four on defense. And even at those positions, the Sooners expect to still be strong. Top-rated high-school recruit Adrian Peterson figures to take over for running back Renaldo Works. And former starting linebacker Lance Mitchell will be back from a knee injury to replace Teddy Lehman.

Stoops is counting on the wealth of experienced players to lead the Sooners to a title run this season.