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by Rick Eymer
Palo Alto Online Sports

Chase Beeler had no choice. From childhood, it was ingrained in him to become a big supporter of Oklahoma (or Oklahoma State) football and the athletic programs. When it came time to make a decision between Stanford and the Sooners, the Sooners were his first choice.

"I was literally walking into the signing ceremony at my high school (Jenks) gym with my parents and I saw my extended family and decided I couldn't play so far from them," Beeler said. "It came down to Stanford and Oklahoma and I made my decision at 3 or 4 p.m. on signing day."

Beeler, however, transferred to Stanford after one year, solely for academic reasons. He'll face his old team for the first time since moving west when Stanford takes on Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.

At Oklahoma, Beeler saw action in five games, making one start, as a true freshman in 2006. The offensive guard started against Tulsa, and also saw action against Oregon, Texas, Colorado and Iowa State.

He remains in touch with Oklahoma defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Adrian Taylor, and knows most of the vaunted Sooners' defensive players. He's spoken with Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford on occasion as well.

"I am going to try and cull some of that knowledge from the depths of my memory," Beeler said. "Gerald and I worked against each other in practice during one-on-one drills."

His mother has requested 20 tickets and there will be several more family and friends in attendance. All Beeler asks is that no "UO paraphernalia be visible and no outward cheering for the Sooners."

Beeler still has some residual Sooner pride; he nearly wore an Oklahoma T-shirt to last weekend's Bowl Show.

"You pick it up in grade school," he said. "It's like it's in the textbooks."

Beeler, who was moved to center this year, will have another adjustment to make when Stanford (8-4) travels to El Paso to meet Oklahoma.

After working with redshirt freshman Andrew Luck all season, he'll be snapping the ball to senior Tavita Pritchard, who will start the game as Luck recovers from surgery on a broken bone in a finger on his right hand.

Beeler said it won't be much of a difference.

"Andrew asked me about that on the field the other day," Beeler said. "It makes a little bit of difference because you do develop a rhythm. But it's not that big of an adjustment. I've taken snaps with Tavita the past two years."

Pritchard's popularity with his teammates has also helped.

"He seamlessly, tremendously moved in," Beeler said. "On the first day of bowl practice it felt like nothing had changed. He fits that leadership and quarterback role so well. It has to be a special moment for him and, almost, a fitting end. He recognized that the program was bigger than any one player.

"He accepted his role without complaints," added Beeler. "You may not see it but he contributed an unbelievable amount to this team."

Beeler was sitting out a year due to transfer rules when Pritchard made his first career start against USC two years ago.

"I remember that it was the best week of practice ever," Beeler said. "That game made it apparent to everybody that we were on the rise. The turnout on campus to greet the team afterward was the jolt that put the spark back."

Pritchard lost his starting job to Luck last spring and handled the demotion like an old pro; almost the same way he handled himself when he learned then starter T.C. Ostrander suffered a seizure after a loss to Arizona State two years ago.

He had a week to prepare for his first start, against top-ranked USC in Los Angeles. This year he had a month to get ready mentally and physically.

"I've always tried to practice just like I'm the starter every week," he said. "There's not much difference in that sense. I've been the backup before. Going back to being the backup I adopted more of a mentorship role with Andrew. Of course I always want to be the guy on the field but winning is fun too."

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