Sterling Shepard caught a 46-yard pass in No. 16 Oklahoma’s 59-14 win over Iowa State on Saturday, and then was not seen again. A pulled groin cost the senior the rest of the game but, then again, the fact that OU led 21-0 after one quarter, 35-7 at halftime and racked up a Stoops-era best 510 rushing yards likely had something to do with it.
Nevertheless, the Sooners need their leading receiver back for this week’s crucial game with No. 10 Baylor, and head coach Bob Stoops offered some optimism on that front at his Monday press conference.
“It appeared to be pretty minor (Sunday),” Stoops told ESPN.com. “The best way I’d say now is we’re optimistic that it will heal enough that he’ll be full speed by the end of the week.”
Shepard leads the club with 50 grabs for a Big 12-leading 119.6 yards per game with five touchdowns.
On top of Shepard, Oklahoma could get running back Keith Ford back this week. The crimson and cream faithful hoped to get Ford back for the Iowa State game, but he just didn’t feel right in pre-game warmups.
“He was close Saturday,” Stoops said. “When you’ve got to make those sudden cuts and all ... if they’re not at 100 percent, it’s not gonna work. We didn’t feel he was 100 percent.”
Ford has rushed 34 times for 194 yards and five touchdowns this season, but has not seen action since a 34-10 win over Tennessee back on Sept. 13 due to a leg injury.
Baylor and Oklahoma will meet at noon ET on Fox Sports 1.