KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Lepak injury could mean Sooners play 4th center
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Associated Press - December 21, 2009 4:15 PM ET
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has lost track of how many centers he's had to start this season. Add in the guards and tackles who have been sidelined, and the number of offensive linemen the Sooners have gone through is almost staggering.
Ten days before the Sooners face Stanford in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, the total could be on the rise again. Stoops disclosed today that Brian Lepak could miss the Dec. 31 bowl game with a sprained knee, putting the Sooners in position to start a fourth player at center.
The transfer from Colorado State became the starter after Ben Habern and converted tight end Brody Eldridge were both lost for the season due to injuries. Eldridge suffered a neck injury last month and Habern broke his left leg in the Sooners' next-to-last game of the regular season at Texas Tech.
Jarvis Jones, who split time between guard and tackle, is also out for the season. Meanwhile, left tackle Trent Williams is expected to return after missing the regular season finale against Oklahoma State due to a concussion. Tackle Donald Stephenson has been ineligible the whole season.
Another tight end, Eric Mensik, was moved from tight end to start at tackle after Williams was hurt.
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