NORMAN, Okla. -- Dallas native Corey Nelson won't get a chance to beat Texas for a fourth time.
The senior linebacker from Dallas Skyline High School will have surgery Tuesday to repair a a partially torn pectoral muscle. He will likely miss the rest of the season, according to coach Bob Stoops.
Nelson, voted by his teammates as a captain, has started the past three seasons. He had a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown against Notre Dame that gave OU the first score of the game in the 35-21 win.
Nelson has 27 tackles this season and a sack. He was injured in the third quarter Saturday in the 20-17 win against TCU. His experience will certainly be missed as Nelson has played in 44 career games and has 147 tackles.
Saturday, Nelson was replaced by freshman Dominique Alexander. Alexander has 10 tackles this season. If OU stays with its base 3-3-5 defense, it could mean more time for Aaron Franklin. Franklin has some experience. He played in all 13 games last year. This season, Franklin has played in three games and has a single tackle.
Nelson has been a huge part of the Sooners' resurgence this season on defense. OU came into the game against TCU ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 in pass defense and second in scoring defense and total defense. TCU had just 135 total yards until late in the fourth quarter when the Frogs went 75 yards to make it 20-17.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
