Published: October 12, 2008 01:01 am            

Box could be back in lineup

DALLAS — Enid’s Austin Box, who lost his starting inside linebacker spot at Oklahoma after a preseason injury, could find himself in a spot to come back because of an injury to a Sooners starter.

OU starting middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the third period of the Sooners’ 45-35 loss to Texas Saturday.

Box could move to middle linebacker this week as the Sooners look to replace their defensive leader.

“That’s a possibility,’’ said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. “I don’t know what we’re going to do.’’

OU head coach Bob Stoops said moving Box to the middle is an option for the Sooners.

Brandon Crow played in the middle in the second half. Stoops said he wouldn’t use a player like Box in the middle in the game without him practicing at the position.

Reynolds’ loss was evident in the second half as the Longhorns scored on four straight possessions after his injury.

“I don’t know how it affected us out there on the field,’’ Venables said. “Obviously, you feel terrible for him having to go through that. He is a part of what we do. He gets the guys lined up in checks.’’

The loss of Reynolds was cited by Stoops as one reason the Sooners went for a fake punt the possession following the injury with OU clinging to a 28-27 lead.

“We felt it would give us some momentum,’’ Stoops said. “We were without Ryan Reynolds. This was an opportunity we felt we could take advantage of. We felt we could get around the corner and pick up the first down.’’

Reynolds’ four years at OU has been riddled with injuries. He missed the 2006 season because of knee surgery.

“We all feel personally for Ryan,’’ Stoops said. “He’s worked real hard. Anytime you lose somebody like him, it’s going to affect you. He’s an outstanding leader.’’

Inside linebacker Travis Lewis said he was heartbroken when he learned his friend and teammate was lost for the season.

“It was tough not having him out there,’’ Lewis said. “Not having him out there takes away from our defense because he brings so much to us. He’s an outstanding leader. Somebody is going to have to step up. It gives someone else on the team an opportunity to step up and make plays.’’

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was emotional about Reynolds as well.

“It does hurt your defense, but we’ll regroup,’’ he said. “Honestly, I’m more worried about Ryan mentally and how he’s doing than how it affects our defense.’’

McCoy said the Sooners will miss Reynolds’ leadership, experience and playcalling.

“We have a lot of guys who are prepared,’’ McCoy said. “That’s why you practice the 2s and the 3s, so you have someone when something like this happens.’’

Crow was credited with three solo and two assisted tackles in the second half.

“I thought Brandon came in and played really hard and competed,’’ Venables said. “I thought all of our guys played hard. Texas just played better.’’

Cornerback Brian Jackson said the Sooners missed Reynolds’ leadership, particularly when a big play was needed.

“We appreciate everything he does for us,’’ Jackson said. “We’re behind him and hope he’s OK. We need somebody to do what he does. He makes plays.  We have a lot of talent. Somebody will step in and take his place.’’

UT quarterback Colt McCoy was able to take advantage of Reynolds’ absence by hitting 28 of 35 passes for 277 yards.

The biggest OU mistake didn’t involve McCoy, though.

Jordan Shipley caught 11 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown, but he did his biggest damage on a 96-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.

The return came after OU had taken a 21-10 lead on a 52-yard pass from Sam Bradford to Jermaine Gresham.

“We had the momentum,’’ Stoops said. “It appeared to me we had some guys in position to make the play.’’

“It was a long day,’’ Jackson said. “The kickoff team has to go down and make plays. We have athletic guys. Somebody has to make a play.’’

Bradford threw for 387 yards, the most by an OU quarterback in the Texas series. He threw five touchdowns. That gave him 59 for his career, an NCAA record for a quarterback in his second year.