APThanks to a pair of arrests over the past month, the statuses of two Oklahoma players for the Sooners’ bowl game has been up in the air.
Friday evening, the Sooners clarified the availability of both in one fell swoop.
In a release, OU announced that defensive tackle Stacy McGee “will not travel to the game nor participate in any activities related to the game.” In other words, he has been suspended for the Cotton Bowl matchup with Texas A&M.
On the brighter side, wide receiver Jalen Saunders has been cleared to participate in the postseason game.
In early December, Saunders was one of two Sooner players arrested on a marijuana possession charge. Three weeks later, McGee was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. In the release on “postseason participation,” OU stated that “[t]he information and history in each of the individual matters are unique thus resulting in different participation decisions for this game.”
McGee was suspended for the first six games of the season for undisclosed violations of university policies. In February of this year, McGee was arrested on a pot possession charge. Saunders, on the other hand, transferred into the Sooners program this year from Fresno State and has no known off-field issues.
The fact that Saunders will play is likely bigger — and better — news for the Sooners.
After having his waiver for immediate eligibility approved by the NCAA Oct. 10, Saunders played in OU’s final eight games. Despite missing a third of the season, Saunders is third on the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (766), totals which are tops on the Sooners during that eight-game stretch.
While McGee started 17 games in the three seasons prior to this year, he was merely a part of OU’s defensive line rotation after returning from the suspension and was listed as a backup at both tackle positions on the depth chart headed into the bowl game. He was credited with 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack in the six games in which he played.
Oklahoma is a pathetic team and Stoops is a pathetic coach. No wonder they are in such a decline that no more NC’s are likely for decades.
But of course he will play. At OU, if you’re good you play, unless you’re dead or in jail.
Yeah, they sure are in decline. Top 15 ranking. Top 20 year after year.
You must be a fan of a rival team, huh?
Most likely an Oklahoma State fan.
Dont worry about the Sooners, they’ll be just fine. I’m willing to bet they have another title before whatever sorry team you root for gets one.
Later Sausage wallet.
@goodfieldnohit
You obviously don’t pay attention to this program. Stoops kicked his starting QB (Rhett Bomar) off the team, right before the season opener, for getting paid for work not performed at a local car dealership. This was at a time when NO program would have passed down anything near this severe. Stoops has a lot of credibility with the way he manages discipline.
@rsmeans…this is your second post this week that identifies you as a complete moron with no knowledge of anything OU related. Go back to your Tyler Jr. College blog and leave the big boys alone.
He’s playing, because if he doesn’t, OU has no chance to win. Stoops benches people when it’s convenient. The second team lineman is suspended for this game, not the best WR they have.
It doesn’t matter. No one can beat a mighty SEC team. OU will lose by double digits.
@hoodfieldnohit..Oklahoma has struggled stopping the run all season. Benching McGee isn’t exactly convenient.
The Sooners will beat those aggies because they are a better all around team! The sec can’t hang with the Big 12! We have a much tougher conference.
Poor little b12 fans. You just hoot and haller all you want to. You can’t touch the SEC with any team. You will be putting you co champion against our “tied for 5th” team and will still get waxed. You can’t compete on either side of the ball. You faced one DF this year in ND who would rank 7th in that department if they played in the SEC. A&M will score 45 plus on you.
Asiiide from this game I do believe Oklahoma is in good shape. They are the class of the b12, the second best conference in football.
OU’s defense this year has improved so much over last years so I consider them a work in progress Mike will have them back on top in that department. As for the offense thankfully Saunders is back they have struggled and will continue to struggle as long as Josh is calling the plays. I hope Bob wakes up and gets a real O.C. that can actually bring an identity to this offense. Joshy is still running Kevins pathetic offense but just not as efficient so its even worse.