NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops says there is good news on quarterback Trevor Knight after a hit he took in Saturday’s 48-14 loss to Baylor.
Stoops says MRIs and x-rays were negative, and he’ll know more about Knight’s status for Saturday’s game at Texas Tech in the next few days. Knight won’t practice Monday.
“It’s just being able to manage,” Stoops said. “He’s pretty sore right now. We’ll just see how he continues to recover.”
Knight was sandwiched between Grant Campbell and Shawn Oakman in the fourth quarter against Baylor. He stayed on the field for several minutes before being carted off. He moved his extremities before he left the field. An Oklahoma spokesman said Knight walked out of the stadium on his own. Stoops wouldn’t specify what the injury was, but he said it wasn’t a concussion or a blow to the head.
Stoops also said receiver Sterling Shepard’s status remains unclear. Shepard suffered a groin injury on Oklahoma’s first offensive play against Iowa State, and did not return. He warmed up in uniform before the Baylor game, and the team expected him to play right up until before kickoff.
The possibility of moving forward without Knight and Shepard is daunting. Shepard averages 119.6 yards per game receiving. Knight has an 11-3 record as a starter, and his backup, redshirt freshman Cody Thomas, has thrown just 16 passes.
Even with Knight available for most of the game against Baylor, the Sooners completed just 13 of 29 passes for 148 yards. Michiah Quick had six catches for a career-high 94 yards and a touchdown and Durron Neal had four catches for 41 yards and a score, but there also were a number of drops. Knight also threw an interception that helped turn the tide in Baylor’s favor.
Though Knight is getting blamed for a lot of the team’s problems, Stoops said there’s plenty to go around.
“I’ve got great faith in Trevor as a quarterback,” Stoops said. “I think he’s got a major upside that will continue to grow and come, and he’s shown it in number of games. At times, he needs to be supported. He’s not making all the plays himself, and when they’re not very good, it isn’t always on him, either. He didn’t have a hand in missing a block on a third-and-2. It isn’t all him, by any means.”
Thomas would get his first career start on the road if Knight isn’t ready. Stoops said that’s fine with him.
“Very comfortable with Cody,” Stoops said. “He’s shown great poise, when he’s been out there, and he’s shown a comfort level in what we’re doing, the ability to throw it. I feel good about him out there.”
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
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