OU 42, K-State 30: Thoughts and observations
What did we learn following Oklahoma’s 42-30 victory over Kansas State on Halloween?
For starters, quarterback Landry Jones continues to thrive, despite the pressures of replacing a Heisman Trophy winner.
Jones told me after the game that he feels like he’s playing his best ball of the season. I agree.
Jones was 14 of 14 to close the game. 14 of 14. That’s Sam Bradford precision.
“I’m seeing the stuff easier out on the field and seeing the coverages more,” Jones said.
And the scary part is that Jones still has a ways to go.
“He will get better,” coach Bob Stoops said. “There are still some spots out there that he’ll see, geez I could have gone a few different places.”
If Jones continues to improve, the Sooners could easily finish this season 9-3 with six straight wins, which would probably put them in the Cotton Bowl, likely against LSU. Not bad for a team that had to replace the best QB in all of college football.
Quick hits
* People forget just how great a coach Bill Snyder is. The Wildcats are so well-coached, and even being down 28-9, stayed with their game plan and never panicked. I was somewhat skeptical about how effective Snyder would be in a comeback. But after watching the way his team played Saturday, I believe K-State is on the way back. In fact, I am now picking the Wildcats to win the North.
* DeMarco Murray does two things very well. Catches the ball out of the backfield. And doesn’t go down easy between the tackles. His longest run was only 14 yards, and most of his 62 rushing yards came tough between the tackles.
* Dejuan Miller is really beginning to emerge. Nine catches, 94 yards, 1 TD. The question now is, will he sustain it, or is he just the next flavor of the week at receiver?
* Remember Adron Tennell? Since dropping a touchdown pass against Tulsa, Tennell has quietly been one of OU’s most reliable targets. He had the best game of his career last weekend against Kansas. But he was just as good against K-State, finishing with four catches for 62 yards. Best stat, though? No drops.
* Is Jeremy Beal the best defensive end in college football? He was terrific again with 1 1/2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. He is now 7th nationally in sacks and tackles for loss.
* After three straight dominating weeks, the Sooner secondary finally broke down in the second half. Brandon Banks hit OU up for several big catches. OU’s secondary is still outstanding. When you face great WRs week after week, you’re bound to get burned.
* The Sooners did something interesting, beginning the game in a true 4-3 base defense with Austin Box in for Keenan Clayton at LB. The idea was to counter K-State’s power rushing attack. Box and Clayton rotated in and out at strong-side linebacker throughout the game.
They said it
Bob Stoops on receiver Ryan Broyles: “The guy is something. He is really talented with his quickness, ability to make big plays, make people miss him right after the catch. He is a great competitor.”
Stoops on safety Quinton Carter, who led OU with nine tackles: “He had a big night. Tackling was excellent. His run fits and all, covered well and had a big interception towards the end.”
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson on facing first-and-45: “My first idea was that we had so many negative plays that I ran it, to settle everybody down and see where we were at and see if we could get in that 50 yard field goal range. As we always tell the quarterbacks, you don’t have to throw it and both of those throws were check down throws. When it is third and real long, and you throw it underneath and make a guy miss, getting the ball in space is good. So the nice thing is that Landry didn’t force it.”
Defensive end Jeremy Beal: “I thought the offense played exceptionally well. Especially in the second half when they answered every time they scored. That helped us out a lot. The defense, we didn’t play as well as we needed to, especially in the second half, but we came out in the fourth and made some key stops that helped us to a win.”
Broyles on the other receivers: “It’s good when guys step up, it’s definitely a good thing. We just have to keep moving up from here. We have a lot of talent and a lot of guys have the chance to play, we just have to make the best of it.”
By the numbers
351: Brandon Banks’ all-purpose total. The K-State slot receiver had 156 yards receiving and 195 in kick returns, including a 98-yard touchdown.
79: OU has now outscored its opponents 79-0 in the first quarter this season.
40: DeMarco Murray’s career TDs. He had three Saturday. Only seven all-time Sooners have more.
14: Landry Jones completed his final 14 attempts of the game.
2: OU blocked extra points. Adrian Taylor and Auston English each blocked one.
-JT
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