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the_dude_abides

the_dude_abides

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http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20111115_92_B1_NORMAN488114

Fullback brings his power lifts to OU
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 11/15/2011  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/15/2011  4:41 AM


NORMAN - Aaron Ripkowski was literally born to play fullback for Mike Ditka. Or maybe Bret Bielema.

"Sounds like he ought to play for Wisconsin," Bob Stoops cracked recently.

That Ripkowski is at Oklahoma instead makes him the most aptly named Sooner of the Stoops era. He's a 6-2, 255-pound slab of concrete with a buzz-cut mohawk whose only job is to come into the game when Blake Bell does, then punish defenders as the lead fullback for the "Belldozer."

Ripkowski. Perfect.

"I've heard it since I was a kid," the freshman walk-on said. "'Oh, Ripkowski. That's a fullback or linebacker name.' I mean, I don't get tired of hearing about it. Back home, I'm a big family man. We're all close. We take pride in the family name."

The only problem is if you get too hung up on the name - it's Polish, for the record - you miss out on the story.

Ripkowski was all set to go to the U.S. Naval Academy last spring, play defensive end for the Midshipmen and then become an officer.

"He had his report date and everything," said Randy Ripkowski, Aaron's father. "He had done all of his entry stuff, like the physicals, and at the last minute he decided he wanted to walk on at OU."

Ripkowski had attended the Sooners' camp the summer before his senior year at Dayton (Texas) High School and dropped jaws with his strength. This was a state champion power-lifter, see, who also happened to play ball.

"I got 500 on bench. Squat, I think, was 620. My dead lift was 650," Ripkowski said. "I almost had 700, which would have been a state record, but I couldn't lock it out at the top."

Ripkowski kept in touch with OU assistant Bruce Kittle until, finally, Kittle "kind of persuaded me to come up here. He said, 'We're looking for a fullback. We could use you in some short-yardage.'"

Seriously? A freshman walk-on who played linebacker, defensive end and right guard for a high school team that ran a spread offense? They could use him?

Yes. They could.

"He came in a hard-working, physical, strong kid who loved the weight room," OU running backs coach Cale Gundy said. "He made a quick impression in some invididual challenges that we had, some one-on-ones with some people."

"A bruiser," senior tight end James Hanna called Ripkowski.

He just needed a niche. The kick return team provided one.

"On our first return at Kansas State, he crushed a guy," Kittle said. "I think the guy must have had a broken rib. It was one of those knockout shots."

Then, struggling to slam the ball into the end zone, the Sooners implemented a short-yardage formation, the 245-pound Bell taking shotgun snaps and barreling forward behind fullbacks Ripkowski and Trey Millard.

"First, Aaron called to tell me he made traveling squad," said Randy Ripkowski. "Then that he made the return team a couple weeks later. Then he told us about the 'Jumbo' package he was on ... Well, he told us as much information as he could."

The kid was learning fast.

At the end of OU's first drive at Kansas State Oct. 29, Ripkowski ran onto the field with Bell for the first time. He sealed safety Ty Zimmerman on the right edge of the formation, and Bell scored standing up.

The Sooners liked the result enough to try it twice more near Texas A&M's goal line Nov. 5. Ripkowski smothered cornerback Terrence Frederick, Bell scored in his wake. Ripkowski pushed safety Trent Hunter 5 yards backward into the end zone, Bell followed again.

The TV commentators didn't mention Ripkowski's name at K-State. They called him "Riplowski" on Bell's first touchdown against A&M.

By the second half against the Aggies, they were getting it just right.

So OU's second "walk-on makes good" story of the season didn't quite ripple like Dominique Whaley's. Didn't have the national hook.

It sure resonated back in Dayton.

"I get a call almost every day from a friend back home, like, 'I saw you on TV! I can't believe you're getting in!' " Ripkowski said. "It's crazy. They're all happy for me."

It sure felt good around the Switzer Center.

"With his physicality, 'Rip' is kind of a classic Big Ten fullback," Kittle said. "We feel really fortunate that we were able to lure him to Oklahoma. He's been filling a void for us."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20111115_92_B1_NORMAN488114
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dayton

dayton

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[img]http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1306868517594&id=028bb2a64d23b92b3d724ef01b060f61[/img]

[quote name="EAGLE07" post="1120086" timestamp="1321463646"]
Did dad play for Dayton in the early 80's...I think I played against a Ripkowski....big tight end, if memory serves me correctly.
[/quote]

yes.... his dad played... not sure of the position though
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EAGLE07

EAGLE07

Posted
Posted
[quote name="dayton" post="1120145" timestamp="1321466145"]
[img]http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1306868517594&id=028bb2a64d23b92b3d724ef01b060f61[/img]

[quote author=EAGLE07 link=topic=91702.msg1120086#msg1120086 date=1321463646]
Did dad play for Dayton in the early 80's...I think I played against a Ripkowski....big tight end, if memory serves me correctly.
[/quote]

yes.... his dad played... not sure of the position though
[/quote]

Thanks... Like tackling an Oak tree.  ;)
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dayton

dayton

Posted
Posted
[quote name="EAGLE07" post="1120230" timestamp="1321470097"]
[quote author=dayton link=topic=91702.msg1120145#msg1120145 date=1321466145]
[img]http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1306868517594&id=028bb2a64d23b92b3d724ef01b060f61[/img]

[quote author=EAGLE07 link=topic=91702.msg1120086#msg1120086 date=1321463646]
Did dad play for Dayton in the early 80's...I think I played against a Ripkowski....big tight end, if memory serves me correctly.
[/quote]

yes.... his dad played... not sure of the position though
[/quote]

Thanks... Like tackling an Oak tree.  ;)
[/quote]

no doubt.... glad I didn't have to tackle him.... have run into a couple trees though, not fun :)
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Hawkeye

Hawkeye

Posted
Posted
[quote name="dayton" post="1120145" timestamp="1321466145"]
[img]http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1306868517594&id=028bb2a64d23b92b3d724ef01b060f61[/img]

[quote author=EAGLE07 link=topic=91702.msg1120086#msg1120086 date=1321463646]
Did dad play for Dayton in the early 80's...I think I played against a Ripkowski....big tight end, if memory serves me correctly.
[/quote]

yes.... his dad played... not sure of the position though
[/quote]
His dad was QB. Graduated in 82. I know cause I was his backup for a minute. ;D
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Guest octfeb

Guest octfeb

Posted
Posted
Just a reminder Saturday before the game, go to Los Compadres in Dayton, eat lunch or dinner. 10% of all sales will go to the Dayton Band Boosters. Don't have to say you are there for the Band Boosters to get the benefits. Thank you.
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EAGLE07

EAGLE07

Posted
Posted
[quote name="Hawkeye" post="1120677" timestamp="1321498135"]
[quote author=dayton link=topic=91702.msg1120145#msg1120145 date=1321466145]
[img]http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1306868517594&id=028bb2a64d23b92b3d724ef01b060f61[/img]

[quote author=EAGLE07 link=topic=91702.msg1120086#msg1120086 date=1321463646]
Did dad play for Dayton in the early 80's...I think I played against a Ripkowski....big tight end, if memory serves me correctly.
[/quote]

yes.... his dad played... not sure of the position though
[/quote]
His dad was QB. Graduated in 82. I know cause I was his backup for a minute. ;D
[/quote]

Ok...played against him '81 and '82..Just remember him being big and strong and a b*&%ch to tackle.
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