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Oklahoma QB Bradford looks to build on stellar freshman campaign

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:13 AM Chattanooga at No. 4 Oklahoma, 7:00 pm EDT

NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Last year, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford enjoyed one of the best freshman seasons in NCAA history. But it ended in disappointment as the Sooners suffered a 48-28 loss to West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

Bradford and the fourth-ranked Sooners begin another season of high expectations on Saturday when they host Chattanooga of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Last year, Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency and set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes, though he did struggle a bit in road losses to Colorado and Texas Tech.

The Sooners, who went 11-3 last season, ended the campaign with their fourth straight loss in a BCS bowl game after winning their second straight Big 12 Conference title and fifth overall, the most of any conference team. However, an eighth national championship eluded them.

"Hopefully, we can finish the year a little bit better," said Sooners coach Bob Stoops, who is entering his 10th season in Norman.

Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly left for the NFL after his junior season, but sophomore running back DeMarco Murray is healthy after missing the final three games of last year with a knee injury. The speedy Murray still rushed for 764 yards - an average of six yards per carry - and a team-high 13 touchdowns.

Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma's top receiver last year with 68 receptions for 907 yards, returns for his senior campaign.

Chattanooga is coming off a 2-9 season, finishing seventh in the Southern Conference.