OU’s Heisman-winning QB Bradford sprains shoulder 1 play after becoming school passing leader

Heisman winner Bradford sprains throwing shoulder

ARLINGTON, Texas — Sam Bradford sprained his throwing shoulder when he was driven to the turf by a BYU defender, leaving Oklahoma without its Heisman Trophy winner for the start of the second half of the opener against No. 20 BYU on Saturday night.

Bradford was on the sideline with his right arm in sling and ice taped to his shoulder as backup quarterback Landry Jones led the Sooners on their first offensive series of the second half.

Playing behind a line featuring four new starters, Bradford went down hard on a clean hit by Brigham Young linebacker Coleby Clawson in the closing seconds of the first half. Both players landed flush on Bradford’s right side and he immediately began writhing in pain.

Bradford put his left hand on his right shoulder, sending athletic trainers rushing to him. He was first checked on a sideline table, then taken into the locker room. The Sooners kicked a field goal on the next play to take a 10-7 halftime lead.

The injury was announced as a sprained AC joint. The team said Bradford’s return was questionable. The junior was in his white football pants and a gray T-shirt as he watched his teammates.

Bradford was 10 of 14 for 96 yards and a touchdown. On the play before Clawson’s hit, Bradford broke the school passing record held by Jason White with an 18-yard completion to Brandon Caleb. That play gave him 7,937 for his career.

As Oklahoma headed in for the half, coach Bob Stoops told ESPN, “We’ll just go in the locker room here and see what we can find out.”

Stoops said backup Landry Jones would “come in and run our game plan” if Bradford can’t return.

Jones is a redshirt freshman from Artesia, New Mexico, who would be making his college debut.