Watch Patrick O’Hara’s homemade place-kicking video
As I wrote today, OU’s newest kicker, Patrick O’Hara, made a home video, which caught the eye of the Sooner coaching staff while O’Hara was a freshman student at Washburn University.
Here’s the video:
-JT
Stoops interested in Notre Dame?
Every year, it seems, Bob Stoops is connected to another job.
Last winter, that job was the Denver Broncos, who were reportedly interested in Stoops to replace Mike Shanahan. But quickly, that fizzled and Denver hired New England Patriots offensive co-coordinator Josh McDaniels.
This year, the job in question is Notre Dame.
From the Chicago Sun Times today:
If athletic director Jack Swarbrick decides (Charlie) Weis’ Notre Dame career is over after his fifth season, a source said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz will be in the mix to replace him. The source said Stoops has told confidants he would be interested in talking to the Irish.
Stoops would be a good fit at Notre Dame for a number of reasons. He’s Catholic, and he knows the area, growing up in western Ohio, which is in the middle of Notre Dame’s traditional recruiting base.
But Florida, a plum job, couldn’t lure Stoops away from Norman a few years ago.
Could Notre Dame?
If any college job could, maybe Notre Dame is the one.
-JT
OU 65, Texas A&M 10: Thoughts and observations
OU continued its domination at home, running Texas A&M out of town with a 65-10 head-kicking. The question, however, is can the Sooners finally carry that over to a road venue. They get their last chance next weekend against Texas Tech in Lubbock, a place the Sooners have lost two straight.
Beat Tech, and suddenly Bedlam Thanksgiving Weekend becomes a game with the Cotton Bowl on the line. But lose to Tech, and OU could be headed to El Paso, Texas, and the Sun Bowl.
The key will be the offense. The defense has been great everywhere. But the offense, while great in Norman, has stunk it up away from home.
13 points against BYU in Dallas.
20 at Miami.
13 against Texas in Dallas.
35 at Kansas.
3 at Nebraska.
OU will probably have to put up more than 20 points to beat Tech on the road. Can they do it?
“Until we can show that we can play with some composure and play smarter it will still be a test,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. “It will be a test to show if we have matured through the year or are we the same cast of characters.
“So it will be a big challenge and an opportunity to see where we are at as a team next week against Texas Tech.”
Quick hits
* More about walk-on kicker Patrick O’Hara coming in Monday’s paper. O’Hara has a great story of how he ended up in Norman. Time will tell if O’Hara, who made a FG and a couple of extra points, will be the answer at kicker.
* Too bad this defense will be part of a mediocre season. This defense is one of the school’s all-time greats. The only two TDs OU has allowed the last two weeks have come off turnovers returned inside the Sooner 5.
* OU red zone offense, 6 of 7. The only miss was a Tress Way missed FG.
* Freshman RB Jermie Calhoun looked sharp in mop-up duty with 94 yards rushing on 18 carries. It’s the most work Calhoun has gotten in his young career and he did well with it.
* Adron Tennell played poorly last weekend at Nebraska, but going back to the start of Big 12 play, Tennell quietly has been solid. Against A&M, he had five catches for 76 yards and 2 TDs.
* At home this year, Landry Jones has thrown 18 TDs to just 4 picks.
* Ryan Broyles is so good. He had eight catches for 79 yards and a TD. Pencil in Broyles as on the All-Big 12 first team offense.
* Speaking of which, has DeMarco Murray done enough to make that team? He didn’t hurt his cause, with 223 all-purpose yards.
* Jeremy Beal, Travis Lewis, Brian Jackson and Frank Alexander all had big games for the defense.
* TE Eric Mensik got some work at right tackle. Not a bad move, considering the Sooners have no more tackles to turn to if Trent Williams or Cory Brandon get hurt.
* The Wildcat can be a good set for the Sooners. Murray and Broyles seem to possess suitable skill sets for that kind of offense. Both players are savvy and can make people miss in 1-on-1 situations.
They said it
Coach Bob Stoops: “DeMarco (Murray) is a really special talent in that he is not just a running back. I have said it a lot, he would be a great corner. He’s just a guy that is really athletic. He catches the ball well, runs pretty good routes, is good out of the backfield and also is a strong, powerful runner. He had another big night and it is good to see him get out and make some big plays.”
Stoops on QB Landry Jones: “You have to be sure of yourself. I think the more he played, the more comfortable he got and he started making the throws we know he can make.”
Stoops on the Wildcat: “Just trying to find different ways to get seams and get the ball in DeMarco’s hands more and Chris (Brown) and Ryan (Broyles). Those are three guys you can play hide-and-seek with on who has the ball and hopefully be productive as we go forward.”
Stoops on freshman RB Jermie Calhoun, who finished with a game-high 94 yards rushing: “He looked tough and physical. It was very positive and I was very excited with how he played in the fourth quarter. He took care of the ball, ran strong and ran well.”
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables on his defense: “As a team tonight we really played well and helped each other at the right time. We didn’t give up the big plays and for the most part kept the quarterback from running outside the pocket. We had a lot of pressures coming at him and that kept him off balance. Collectively we have a very solid performance tonight.”
CB Brian Jackson on his TD: “It was good. It was kind of exciting when I picked it up because all I saw was grass. I saw the same thing at Texas but (Colt) McCoy came out of nowhere. I guess Johnson didn’t have as good of an angle as McCoy did.”
Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman on his team’s troubles fielding kicks: “I wish I knew why that was . Last week, Cyrus Gray returned a touchdown and we’re all excited about that and this week he has a tough time hanging on to the football. We fumbled one that we also recovered too, so it wasn’t a good day from that standpoint.”
By the numbers
223: With 223 all-purpose yards, Murray passed Steve Owens, Adrian Peterson and Greg Pruitt to move into fourth place all-time at OU with 4,495.
143: Murray tied a school record for receiving yards by a running back with 143. He is tied with Virgil Doyle who had 143 against Colorado in 1962.
93: OU has outscored its opponents 93-10 in the first quarter this season.
65: OU’s point total, the most points OU has scored this season.
5: Fumbles Texas A&M had on returns. Two were recovered by the Sooners.
3: Number of place-kickers OU used Sat.
-JT
New OU Nike unis leaked
As first reported by The Oklahoman, OU will don Nike combat uniforms for its game at Texas Tech in two weeks. Apparently, someone found out what those uniforms will look like and leaked them onto the Internet.
-JT
Injury update: Eldridge, English
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Monday morning that guard Brody Eldridge will miss Saturday’s game with Texas A&M with a shoulder injury.
Defensive end Auston English could also be held out due to an ankle injury, but Stoops noted the training staff is still “unsure” about English’s status.
Eldridge was injured in the second quarter of OU’s at Nebraska, when he was trying to make a tackle after a Landry Jones interception. He returned momentarily in the third quarter, but didn’t have the “strength or stamina” to remain in the game, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Sunday.
English also left the game in the first half. He remained in uniform the rest of the game, but never returned to the field.
-JT
OU at Nebraska: Breaking down the matchups
Quarterbacks
Landry Jones is proving to be the best young QB in the league.
I’m not sure even Bo Pelini knows yet who will start for him come Saturday between Cody Green and Zac Lee.
Edge: OU
Running backs
When healthy, DeMarco Murray is an elite back.
When healthy, so is Roy Helu Jr. Both are looking healthier this week.
Edge: Even
Wide receivers
Dejuan Miller appears primed to take over as Ryan Broyles’ wingman.
Niles Paul is the only Husker with more than 16 catches.
Edge: OU
Tight ends
The Sooners are using Eric Mensik more and more.
The Huskers play a ton of tight ends, led by Mike McNeill.
Edge: Nebraska
Offensive line
The Sooners appear to be slowly getting better up front.
The Huskers appear to be slowly getting worse up front.
Edge: OU
Defensive line
Led by GK McCoy, OU has arguably the best defensive front in all of college football.
Led by Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska has arguably the best defensive front in all of college football.
Edge: Even
Linebackers
The Sooners are talented and seasoned.
The Huskers are talented, but still young.
Edge: OU
Defensive backs
Led by their corners, OU’s DBs have been strong.
But Nebraska has put together one of the pass defenses in the nation.
Edge: Nebraska
Special teams
NU’s Alex Henery is one of the best kickers in the nation.
OU just benched Jimmy Stevens for inexperienced freshman Tress Way.
Edge: Nebraska
Prediction: OU 24, Nebraska 9
Nebraska’s defense will give the Sooners problems. But the Huskers’ struggling offense won’t be able to score enough points to pull the upset.
-JT
Remember when Spikes called OU dirty?
For those who haven’t heard, Florida LB Brandon Spikes was recently suspended for a half for attempting to eye-gouge Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.
Remember back in August, Spikes randomly attacked Oklahoma, calling them the dirty.
“Compared to Oklahoma, you won’t find anyone (as dirty),” Spikes said, referring to Florida’s meeting with OU in the national championship.
Pot, meet kettle.
-JT
Stats don’t lie when it comes to Landry Jones
Basketball season has arrived.
Close to Tournament time, I’ve always enjoyed in late Feb., when ESPN takes a comparison look at three teams on the bubble, but reduces their identity as Team A, Team B, Team C. You’re always surprised when the team most deserving of a spot, Team A, is like Marist, while B and C are like Kentucky and Indiana.
In honor of that, here’s an anonymous comparison of Big 12 quarterbacks:
QB A: 1,657 yards, 17 TDs, 6 INTs, 62.4%
QB B: 1,977 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs, 72.0%
QB C: 1,650 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INTs, 63.7%
QB D: 2,385 yards, 16 TDs, 7 INTs, 64.1%
So which QB would you take for all-conference honors? It’s tough. But you’d have to take a long look at QB A, with his high TD vs. INT ratio.
Who’s who:
QB A: Landry Jones, OU
QB B: Colt McCoy, Texas
QB C: Zac Robinson, OSU
QB D: Todd Reesing, KU
Of course, Landry Jones won’t be named first-team All-Big 12 QB. Not with Colt McCoy still around. But looking at the numbers, he’s having just as good a season as any of the elite QBs in the league.
The exciting thing for the Sooners?
Jones is the only one of the four not a senior.
-JT
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
OU vs. Kansas State: Breaking down the matchups
Quarterbacks
Dual-threat Grant Gregory has done a nice job since replacing Carson Coffman.
But not as good a job as Landry Jones has filling in for Sam Bradford.
Edge: OU
Running backs
When healthy, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown form one of the best 1-2 punches in the nation.
But Daniel Thomas could be the Big 12’s offensive newcomer of the year.
Edge: Even
Wide receivers
Brandon Banks is one of the top slot backs in the Big 12.
Ryan Broyles is one of the top slot backs in the country.
Edge: OU
Tight ends
Jeron Mastrud is off to another fine year, with 17 catches for 207 yards.
The Sooners didn’t even play a tight end last week.
Edge: K-State
Offensive line
The Sooners are still searching for consistency, going with yet another lineup last week.
The Wildcats have paved the way for Thomas, who leads the Big 12 in rushing.
Edge: K-State
Defensive line
Jeff Fitzgerald has been disruptive for the ‘Cats at DT.
The entire OU d-line, however, has been disruptive for everyone.
Edge: OU
Linebackers
Senior MLB Ulla Pomele leads a solid K-State unit.
But the trio of Ryan Reynolds, Travis Lewis and Keenan Clayton have been much better than solid.
Edge: OU
Defensive backs
Free safety Tysyn Hartman has been a big-time playmaker for the Wildcats.
But no CB duo is playing as well as OU’s Dom Franks and Brian Jackson.
Edge: OU
Special teams
Josh Cherry has struggled with FG attempts longer than 30 yards; Banks is an electric returner.
The Sooners are testing out Tress Way at place-kicker; Broyles only career punt return TD came at K-State last year.
Edge: Even
Prediction: OU 41, K-State 13
K-State is one of the Big 12’s surprises, but is yet to defeat anyone of substance. The ‘Cats are on the right path, but they don’t have near the talent to deal with the Sooners in Norman.
-JT
