Stoops praises team after practice

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops praises the Sooners following a 2-and-a-half-hour practice on the OU rugby field. <br/><br/>The practice yesterday was the third since the Sooners

Sunday, August 6th 2006, 2:00 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops praises the Sooners following a 2-and-a-half-hour practice on the OU rugby field.

The practice yesterday was the third since the Sooners began preseason workouts in preparation for their September 2nd season opener against Alabama-Birmingham.

For the first time since practices began, the Sooners wore helmets and shoulder pads Saturday.

Stoops says the Sooners are using defensive backs Nick Harris and Reggie Smith in the dime position and that they have made some plays.

Stoops also says the play of safety Keenan Clayton has been, quote, ``awesome.''

The Sooners' practice today from 5 pm to 7:30 pm will be open to the public, but Stoops says that starting tomorrow, all of Oklahoma's practices will be closed.

Stoops says that team scrimmages might still be open to the public.