Injuries still concern for OU, especially at running back
Oklahoma still figures to be short-handed this week when the Sooners travel to West Virginia (7 p.m. Friday, ESPN), especially at running back. Sooners coach Lincoln
Riley said Monday that “there’s a chance” both
Trey Sermon and T.J. Pledger are available. Sermon had one carry against Kansas while Pledger didn’t play.
“I’m hopeful,” Riley said of Sermon. “We’ve got some guys that are not extremely long term, but our injury report right now has a lot of questionables and doubtfuls off to the side of it right now.”
Oklahoma had just one healthy scholarship running back — Kennedy Brooks
— available last week and could be in a similar position this week.
Riley said defensive lineman Neville Gallimore could be back and that defensive back Justin Broiles might not play this week but isn’t out long term.
“We’re definitely thankful for that,” Riley said.
Riley: Tackling biggest part of defense’s problems
Riley said his assessment of the defense’s performance against Kansas wasn’t significantly different from what he thought in the immediate aftermath of the game, saying that poor tackling was the biggest issue.
“I was proud of our communication. I was proud of — I thought we were in the right calls. I thought we were in the right position,” Riley said.
“There’s maybe one or two busts in the game. We really, we mentally played very clean.
“I honestly was a little surprised of how clean we played defensively as far as guys being where they need to be, not busting calls, adjustments and checks from the sideline.”
Riley says he’s not concerned about DC search
A week after saying he hadn’t made any determination on whether he planned to hire a defensive coordinator from outside the program, Riley said he hadn’t thought much about how he planned to approach things there.
“Zero,” Riley said. “I don’t know if it would change if we were 5-6 right now. We’re 10-1, getting ready to play for a championship. We’re right in the thick of some really good stuff.
“My total focus is on this game right now and getting this team ready to go up to play West Virginia (and) hopefully have the chance to play the week after that.
“We’re sitting right where we were last year. It feels no different to me.”
Riley fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops in early October, replacing him on an interim basis with Ruffin McNeill.