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NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahomas defense might need to reach midseason form in the opener.Houston, led by explosive quarterback Greg Ward, Jr., is ranked 15th and looking to make a jump on the big stage against the third-ranked Sooners on Saturday at Reliant Stadium.Ward went 13-0 as a starter last season and closed by winning most valuable player honors in a Peach Bowl victory over Florida State. A victory for Houston could push the Cougars into the Top 10 and Ward into the Heisman conversation.Ward finished last season with 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing and 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns passing.Offensively, everything goes through Greg Ward Jr., Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said at the first of his weekly media sessions Monday. Great player who can run the football -- designed runs, a great scrambler and a good thrower as well.It will be a challenge for the Sooners to maintain the discipline needed against such a player right out of the blocks.You just have to stay strong and stay focused, keep your eyes out of the backfield, Oklahoma cornerback Dakota Austin said. The biggest thing he does is take advantage of blitzing teams or D-ends running up field. Hes just going to step up and try to get down field or get a scramble drill going.Houston, which uses a run-heavy spread similar to Ohio States, ranked 13th nationally in yards rushing per game last season.The Cougars lost top receiver Demarcus Ayers to the NFL, but they still return four of their top five pass catchers from last season. Chance Allen, who had 56 catches for 752 yards last season, is in line to do more damage this season. Steven Dunbar and Linell Bonner both are ready to step into bigger roles.Ward uses his legs to create for his receivers.Especially for the DBs, he can extend the plays, Austin said. When you get a route and initially you jump the route and kill the route, the receiver just cuts back up field and its a scramble drill and now, youre beat all of a sudden.When Ward cant find anyone, he runs as well as anyone. He joins Clemsons Deshaun Watson as the only quarterbacks to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 last season. His 21 touchdowns rushing last season rank second nationally among returning players.The Sooners return six defensive starters from a unit that led the Big 12 in total defense (364.5 ypg), scoring defense (22.0 ppg), passing defense (202.8 ypg), pass efficiency defense (108.5) and sacks (3.08 per game). Though the Sooners lost experience with sack leader Eric Striker, tackles leader Dominique Alexander and linebacker Devante Bond, defensive end Charles Tapper and cornerback Zack Sanchez, they return an experienced secondary. Safeties Ahmad Thomas and Steven Parker and cornerback Jordan Thomas are back, and Austin has been elevated to the starting lineup.Linebacker Jordan Evans is the teams top returning tackler, and the Sooners are expecting big things from linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. Those returnees help Oklahoma enter the game with confidence.If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, Austin said. If you can pop it off and just get it out the way, you know what youll bring to it.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAP . Authentic Custom Packers Jersey . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006. Custom Packers Jersey China . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. http://www.custompackersjersey.com/ . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. Rashan Gary Jersey Large . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Packers Jerseys China . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.Jordan Henderson is eager to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2016 when England face Australia in his hometown of Sunderland. Roy Hodgsons squad warmed up for next months tournament with a narrow 2-1 win over Turkey on Sunday and continue their preparations against Australia at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening.Hodgson must name his 23-man squad before Tuesdays deadline and Henderson - who would have been a shoo-in for selection had he not suffered a knee injury last month - is hoping for more time on the pitch to show his worth. Henderson faced the media alongside boss Roy Hodgson on Thursday I am still proving (my fitness), Henderson, who has made two substitute appearances since recovering, said. I still feel as though this week I trained well and I feel good.Getting some minutes at the weekend was a bonus for me really so I am hoping that can put us in good stead for the game. Hopefully I can get more minutes, get my match sharpness back, if you like, and hopefully keep progressing.Come the first game of the Euros, hopefully I am on that plane and ready to go. Daniel Sturridges fitness remains under scrutiny as Hodgson gears up to name his final Euro 2016 squad Henderson is one of five Liverpool players in the 26-man provisional squad named by Hodgson, although there are concerns that number could be cut as Daniel Sturridge has a calf strain.Hell be disappointed, Henderson said of his Reds team-mate. Obviously hell want to be playing some part in the next couple of games before the tournament.He has just got to make sure he is doing everything he can to get fit. I am sure he will be and hopefully he can be involved in this game tomorrow, if not the game after that and play some part and show he is ready to go to the Euros.dddddddddddd England manager Roy Hodgson says Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford will make his England debut against Australia Uncapped Marcus Rashford is set to start for England, just three months after the 18-year-old made his Manchester United debut.He is a great player with a lot of potential, but at the same time weve got to keep his feet on the floor and keep working hard, keep doing the things that he has done to get himself there, Henderson added.I am sure if he does that, well have a very, very big player on our hands.Follow England v Australia with our live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps. Also See: Rashford set for England debut England v Australia preview Delph set to miss Euros Euro 2016 squads ' ' '