Will Oregon have enough players to play vs. Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl?

SAN ANTONIO — While OU doesn’t look to be in danger of not having enough players available for Wednesday’s Alamo Bowl, the availability of the Sooners’ opponent is in question.

During an open portion of practice Monday morning, Oregon was without a large group of players.

Duck Territory, a website covering the Ducks, reported the list of players missing from the practice, which included 12 who have started this season.

The absent players combined for 59 defensive starts and 31 on offense.

The Ducks did get one measure of good news, as junior safety Bennett Williams, who started three games early in the season, returned to practice after suffering a leg injury in Week 5.

“They’re going to have 11 guys out there and that’s all we’re worried about,” Sooners interim offensive coordinator Cale Gundy said Monday. “They’re players at the University of Oregon because they’re good football players.”

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But at this point, it’s less about who will be playing for Oregon than if Oregon will be able to play in the game, scheduled for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff Wednesday on ESPN.

Ducks defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter remained confident the game would be played.

“The guys that are here … are going to show up and they’re going to play,” DeRuyter said. “We will find a way to show up Wednesday and compete like hell, because I know the result of these guys’ hearts.”

Sunday, the Military and Fenway Bowls were canceled because of COVID-19, season-ending injuries, opt-outs and transfers within the Boston College and Virginia programs. The Hawai’i Bowl was canceled after Hawai’i pulled out for similar reasons.

Miami withdrew from the Sun Bowl, leaving Washington State without an opponent.

Tuesday, Boise State withdrew from the Arizona Bowl, according to a report from Sports Illustrated. The Broncos’ opponent in that game, Central Michigan, could wind up playing Washington State in the Sun Bowl, according to reports.

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Marvin Mims: ‘Want to be in crimson and cream’

Wide receiver Marvin Mims’ didn’t quite go as far as declaring he would certainly return to the Sooners in 2022, but he got awfully close.

And in doing so, he also strongly implied quarterback Caleb Williams would return as well.

“I definitely want to be here,” Mims said. “I’m pretty sure that everyone playing in this bowl game still wants to be here, too. There have been some departures to go to other schools and stuff like that, but me being here, I definitely want to be in the crimson and cream next season.”

Mims has been OU’s leading receiver in each of the last two seasons, combining for 1,258 yards and 13 touchdowns on 67 catches.

Mims wasn’t the only Sooners’ player who addressed his future Monday.

Offensive lineman Tyrese Robinson said he hadn’t decided whether or not to return next season.

Robinson is a redshirt senior but has another year of eligibility remaining due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Jeremiah Hall: ‘Been spoiled’ by Sooners’ QBs

Fullback Jeremiah Hall was asked Monday about his feelings in 2016 following Baker Mayfield’s announcement he was returning and comparing them to the uncertainty around the quarterback position currently, without a definitive announcement by Caleb Williams.

“Well, I got kind of lucky because we got Kyler Murray, so I wasn’t really worried about who the quarterback was going to be,” Hall said. “I’ve kind of been spoiled here at Oklahoma in terms of quarterbacks, so I’ve never really been worried whether they’ve been the starter or the No. 2 guy to be honest with you.”

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Sooners pick up Cal OL transfer

Cal offensive lineman McKade Mettauer announced Monday on Twitter he was transferring to OU.

Mettauer started all 12 games at right guard for the Bears this season, earning All-Pac 12 second-team honors by Pro Football Focus and honorable mention on the coaches’ selections.

He started all four games in Cal’s abbreviated 2020 season and the final 12 of 2019, his freshman season.

Mettauer (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) is from The Woodlands, Texas, just outside of Houston.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU vs. Oregon football: Ducks' availability for Alamo Bowl in question