Tight end Calcaterra out vs. Kansas State
NORMAN — Oklahoma tight end Grant Calcaterra will not play again this Saturday, coach Lincoln Riley said Wednesday.
The junior did not suit up against Texas or West Virginia due to an undisclosed injury. Riley said he hopes Calcaterra will be back after the bye week.
"Won't play this week. We're going to get him through this week and then obviously into the bye week and hopeful to have him after that," Riley said. "But we're going to use the bye week to our advantage to get him a bit more rest."
Calcaterra has made five receptions for 79 yards this season. He has made 41 catches for 637 yards in his Oklahoma career.
Kelley progressing
While Calcaterra has been out, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jordan Kelley has returned quicker than expected after suffering a knee injury in the spring.
Kelley has yet to appear in a game but has suited up for the last two.
“He's done well,” Riley said of Kelley's return. “Just rusty. Just needs work. But he's strong. He's been able to really lift and get after it. He just needs to get back on the field and get reps. It's been good to get him out there. We'll start him on our scout team and let him build his way up and earn reps on the defense. He's a talented kid, and we're thrilled to have him back.”
Lamb: Sermon will get opportunity
Early in the season, there were questions about CeeDee Lamb not getting the ball.
The last two games, Trey Sermon is the star who hasn't touched the
ball much.
Sermon had five carries last week after having none against Texas despite playing significant time.
Lamb said it wasn't a big deal to him early in the season — though he admitted then that it might've given him pause before this season — and it's not a huge deal for Sermon now.
“When you're on the field the things we all understand is that anybody on the field at any point can score,” Lamb said. “I actually realized that after the first game.
“Trey is kind of understanding that, and he's doing a better job, and he's going to get his opportunity and he knows it.”
Riley on Bear Bryant Award watch list
Oklahoma has the top offense in college football, a much- improved defense and an undefeated record.
So it's no surprise that Riley is one of 22 coaches on the watch list for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
The list will be trimmed to a group of finalists in December, with the award announced live on Fox Sports Southwest and Fox Sports Go on Jan. 15.
Riley is one of three Big 12 coaches on the list, joining Iowa State's Matt Campbell and Baylor's
Matt Rhule.
Other notable names on the list include Ohio State's Ryan Day, LSU's
Ed Orgeron, Alabama's
Nick Saban and Clemson's
Dabo Swinney.
Swinney has won the award three times.
This list of 22 coaches will be narrowed to a distinguished group of finalists in December.