NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma completed its first major scrimmage of the 2007 season Saturday before an estimated 7,000 fans in Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU head coach Bob Stoops termed the workout, which took place in temperatures in the high 90's, a success.

"It was good overall," he said. "Defensively we're just so much more stable in the secondary. You have the potential there for giving up plays or making plays. Defensively, we were solid.

"On offense, I was pleased for the most part. Our defense sees that offense every day so the offense is at a significant disadvantage."

The Sooner offense punched in three touchdowns during the day. The first came on a three-yard pass from Keith Nichol to Manuel Johnson. It capped a six- play, 45-yard drive that included a 19-yard toss from Nichol to Juaquin Iglesias and a pair of pass interference penalties.

August 11 Scrimmage Coverage   August 11 Scrimmage Photo Gallery (34 Photos)   Head Coach Bob Stoops on the Scrimmage   August 11 Preseason Scrimmage Highlights   Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson   Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables   Quarterbacks Coach Josh Heupel   2007 OU Football Preseason Central       Wide Receiver Malcolm Kelly   Running Back Chris Brown   Defensive Back D.J. Wolfe   Linebackers Lofton, Reed and Reynolds   Players Sign Autographs After Scrimmage   Preseason Scrimmage Fan Feature

Later, Joey Halzle hooked up with Malcolm Kelly on a 20-yard touchdown pass. The drive, the longest of the day, included 13 plays and covered 65 yards.

The final score came on a 53-yard run by Jacob Gutierrez.

The three quarterbacks vying for the starting job, Halzle, Nichol and Sam Bradford, had nearly even distribution of playing time in the scrimmage, which included 19 offensive possessions and 89 plays. Halzle hit on 12-of-21 passes for 85 yards, Nichol was 8-of-16 for 51 yards and Bradford was 11-of-18 for 83 yards with one interception.

"It's obvious that our quarterbacks can make all the throws," Stoops said. "They did a really nice job. I didn't see any forced decisions. The drives that stalled didn't stop because of their play. The players around them have to make plays."

Stoops also said that he has not established a timeline for choosing a starter.

The defense was dominant for much of the day, especially in getting pressure on the quarterback.Five sacks were credited, including three to defensive end Alan Davis.

"Our pass rush has a chance to be better than it was last year," Stoops said. "I'm not saying it is yet, but it has a chance to be."

Stoops also lauded the play of D.J. Wolfe, whose move to safety has been positive. "For the last week, D.J. Wolfe has played as well as any safety we have had in practice," Stoops said.
 
Oklahoma goes back into normal practice sessions on Monday.  The next scrimmage is set for Aug. 18.
 
Visit 2007 OU Football Preseason Central for complete official coverage of Oklahoma's preseason preparations.
 
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SCRIMMAGE NOTES
• Notables that did not play due to injury included OT Branndon Braxton, CB Reggie Smith and RB Allen Patrick.  Patrick is out with a sprained ankle.  Stoops said Braxton and Smith have minor ailments and should be back soon.
 
• Of the young players, Stoops said DT Donald Stephenson, QB Keith Nichol, WT Corey Wilson and LB Austin Box have been impressive in early practices.
 
• The OU head coach cited the improved play of P Mike Knall, who last year served as the punter in short field situations.  Knall is pressing Michael Cohen for the starting job.
 
• Stoops said K Garrett Hartley has still been putting some kickoffs as much as five yards deep in the end zone despite the new kickoff location of the 30-yardline.
 
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TICKETS GOING FAST
The OU Athletics Ticket Office announced that tickets for Oklahoma's season opener against North Texas on September 1 are sold out. A limited number of single-game tickets remain for the Utah State and Baylor games.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at SoonerSports.com, on the phone at 1-800-456-GoOU (4668) or in person at the ticket windows located in the Asp Avenue Parking Facility immediately west of the stadium.
 
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SCORING
Manuel Johnson 3-yard pass from Keith Nichol
Malcolm Kelly 20-yard pass from Joey Halzle
Jacob Gutierrez 53-yard run
 
RUSHING
Gutierrez - 7-68
Madu - 10-18
Murray - 6-25
Brown - 2-7
Tennell - 2-1
Gove - 2-0
Caleb - 1-(-2)
 
PASSING
Bradford -- 11-18-83, 1 INT
Nichol -- 8-16-51, 1 TD
Halzle -- 12-21-85, 1 TD
 
RECEIVING
Tennell -- 5-46
Iglesias -- 5-38
Finley -- 3-10
Kelly -- 2-27, TD (20 yards from Halzle)
Brown -- 2-18
Gresham -- 2-13
M. Johnson -- 2-12, TD (3 yards from Nichol)
Madu

-- 2-12
Gove -- 2-5
Gutierrez -- 2-3
Broyles 1-19
Wilson -- 1-15
Caleb -- 1-2
Murray -- 1-(-1)
 
DEFENSE
Holmes - 9, 1 PBU
Harris - 8
Box - 7
Reynolds - 6
Crow - 6
Reed - 5, 1 sack
Carter - 5
Jackson - 4, 1 PBU
Franks - 4
Lofton - 4, 1 FR
Beal - 4
Baker - 3
Clayton - 3
Walker - 3, 1 26-yard INT return
Lamont Robinson - 3
Jonathan Nelson - 2
Wolfe - 2
Bowers - 2
English - 2
D. Jackson - 1
C. Carter - 1
Pleasant - 1
Alexander - 1
Davis - 1, 3 sacks
Williams - 1 sack