THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Monday August 20, 2012
SPORTS | B11
Stoops suspends DT Stacy McGee indefinitely NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma defensive tackle Stacy McGee was suspended indefinitely Friday for what coach Bob Stoops called a violation of university policy. McGee is the fifth Oklahoma player to be suspended during this offseason. Receiver Kameel Jackson was eventually dismissed from the team, while defensive back Quentin Hayes and receivers Jaz Reynolds and Trey Franks have been reinstated to practice but won’t be allowed to play in games. “It’s a low blow for us. He’s a great player and he’s a brother to us because we’re all really tight right there in the middle, in the trenches,” fellow defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland said. “We have to treat the situation like an injury. The train still rolls, even though we love him and everything. We’ve still got to fill that spot.” McGee has started 17 games over the past three seasons. He played in 12 games last season, starting three times and recording 22 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. “That’s a big loss but we can always overcome anything,” defensive tackle Casey Walker said. “We’ll be all right.” Defensive end David King said coaches approached him at his locker after practice and informed him he’d be moving into McGee’s position on a fulltime basis for “the first couple games of the season.” “I don’t mind it. I’ve played there before, so it’s nothing new to me,” King said. “I’m comfortable playing down there and I’m heavy enough where I can play there and hold my weight. We’ll see how it goes.” Stoops said King, who filled in at tackle while McGee and Walker missed time due to injuries last season, is consistently weighing in at 275 to 280 pounds and will be able to slide inside without a problem. “If he could treat himself to a few more cheeseburgers, he could be 285
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Dodgers’ Mattingly suspended two games ATLANTA (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has been suspended for two games, beginning with Saturday night’s game against the Braves. Mattingly was also given an undisclosed fine “for excessive arguing” with home plate umpire Angel Campos in Thursday’s 10-6 loss in Pittsburgh. Mattingly and outfielder Matt Kemp were ejected in the game. The suspension was announced Saturday by Joe Garagiola Jr., senior vice president of standards and on-field operations for MLB. Mattingly said he was confused when he first re-
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops suspended defensive tackle Stacy McGee Friday for a violation of team rules. in no time and he’s got the strength to play in there. The times he has played in there, he’s done well,” Stoops said. “So, in all likelihood, we’ll rotate him in there with those other guys.” The Sooners’ season opener is Sept. 1 at UTEP. Stoops has been pleased with the growing depth along the defensive line, offering positive reviews on freshmen defensive ends Charles Tapper and
Mike Onuoha plus redshirt freshman Jordan Phillips at tackle. Sophomore Chuka Ndulue figures to take on a bigger role with King moving inside. “They’re going to do great out there, and I’m just going to try and do the best I can down inside to try and fill that void that we have down there,” King said. McGee had informed his fellow defensive linemen in recent days that he had broken the rules and
AP
punishment might be coming. It didn’t become official until Friday. “It’s one of those things where it’s like, ‘I knew better.’ You know what I’m saying? So, it’s like when you’re a kid and Mom tells you not to touch the stove and you do it anyway, and you got burned,” Walker said. “It’s just one of those things. He learned his lesson and whatnot, and he’s just moving forward now. You can’t dwell in the past.”
ceived word of the suspension. He said he now understands he was suspended because he did not attempt to restrain Kemp before joining the argument. Kemp received no suspension or fine. “I’m happy about that,” Mattingly said. Mattingly was with the team for batting practice Saturday. Asked where he will watch the game, Mattingly said “I don’t know. I heard there’s a suite somewhere.” Dodgers bench coach Trey Hillman will fill in for Mattingly, who said Friday he was expecting to be suspended “a game or two.”