Oklahoma Sooners Running Back Keith Ford Out 2-3 Weeks With Leg Injury

Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma Sooners will face their first injury hurdle of the season this weekend when they'll travel to Morgantown to take on West Virginia without their leading rusher Keith Ford.

"He won't play this week for sure. After that it's a little unsure," Stoops said in his Monday Big XII teleconference.

The injury happened at some point in the first half with Ford trying to play through. After getting his lower left leg taped he re-entered the game and carried the ball to end the third quarter. Following that play he was taken to the locker room for evaluation and it turns out that he suffered a fracture.

"There's a small fracture on the non-weight bearing bone," Stoops said on Monday. "It can be two weeks to three, you just don't know for sure. He won't play this week."

Averaging 5.5 yards per carry, Ford is Oklahoma's leading rusher. He's carried the ball a team-high 34 times for 194 yards and five touchdowns. He also may be the Sooners' most versatile back, having made six receptions for 100 yards and another score.

Bob Stoops will now turn to true freshman Samaje Perine and redshirt sophomore Alex Ross to lead the team on the road against the Mountaineers. Perine is just behind Ford in yards per carry (5.5) and total rushing yards (177), while Ross leads all of the backs with a 6.3 yards per carry average.

Looking down the road, Oklahoma has a bye week following the West Virginia game and then they travel to Ft. Worth to play TCU on October 4th. Saturday October 11th is the Red River Showdown with the Texas Longhorns.