Lepak to start at center against Oklahoma State

Head coach Bob Stoops said junior offensive lineman Brian Lepak will start at center Saturday against the No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Lepak is starting because freshman center Ben Habern will miss the rest of the season due to a broken fibula suffered on Saturday’s game at Texas Tech.

“Brian’s done a good job,” Stoops said. “He’s been an excellent team guy, really a sharp guy and we’re excited about – of course – having him here.”

Lepak is a walk-on lineman who transferred to OU prior to this season from Colorado State. Stoops said offensive linemen senior Trent Williams and sophomore Stephen Good will replace Lepak if he gets injured.

Sooners defending home win streak record Saturday

The Sooners are putting their 29-game home winning streak on the line Saturday, and many players take pride in making sure the No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys do not end that streak.

“We just want to keep this streak alive,” senior offensive lineman Brian Simmons said. “I don’t want to end the streak on my turn. I hope it never ends.”

The last time OU lost at Owen Field was Sept. 3, 2005, against Texas Christian by the score of 17-10.

Seniors to play final home game this weekend

Saturday’s game against No. 12 Oklahoma State is the Sooners’ final home game of the season, which marks the final time OU seniors will take Owen field. The Sooners have 21 seniors in their lineup, and the underclassmen said they will be playing for those seniors.

“This is our last time we’ll ever walk on that field in pads – you know – with that said we’re excited about it,” senior offensive lineman Brian Simmons said.

Junior running back DeMarco Murray said he has become close to fellow running back senior Chris Brown and will play for him.

“I want to play hard for Chris,” Murray said. “He deserves this game more than anything. He’s been around here for four years, worked hard and I know he wants it more than anything.”

The last time the Sooners lost on Senior Day was in 2001 against the Cowboys.

Murray wishes he got more touches against Texas Tech

Junior running back DeMarco Murray admits he was frustrated he only got 11 touches in OU’s 41-13 loss Saturday against Texas Tech. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said two weeks ago he would like to get Murray between 20 and 25 touches per game.

“It was a little frustrating,” Murray said. “I thought I could have got the ball a little more, but [Texas Tech’s defense] just did a good job – you know – keying me.”

Murray’s 11 touches were made up of seven rushes for 14 yards and four receptions for 14 yards. In the Sooners’ last victory against Texas A&M on Nov. 14, he got 23 touches and gained 223 total yards.