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David Stanley Ford

BCS National Championship: OU’s offense for the ages goes flat

By Jake Trotter - Staff Writer    Comments Comment on this article66
Published: January 9, 2009

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — As the last seconds ticked away, quarterback Sam Bradford stood on the sidelines. Helmet on. Arms folded.


OU quarterback Sam Bradford (14) walks off the field as Florida's Ahmad Black (35), Joe Haden (5) and Ryan Stamper (41) celebrate after the Sooners could not convert on fourth down during OU's last possession of the BCS National Championship Thursday. Photo by Nate Billings

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Helpless.

When it mattered most, Oklahoma's record-setting scoring machine sputtered in the BCS National Championship at Dolphin Stadium as Florida rolled past the Sooners, 24-14.

“Obviously it's very disappointing to end the season on a loss, especially in a game that we felt like we had a chance to win,” Bradford said. “In the first half, we squandered some opportunities to score points.

“That really hurt.”

Twice in the second quarter, college football's No. 1 red-zone offense drove the ball inside the Gator 10-yard line.

Total, the Sooners came up with zero points, proving to be the difference in the two-possession game.

“It broke us,” said guard Brandon Walker.

Following an interception by Gerald McCoy that gave the Sooners field position at the Florida 26-yard line, running back Chris Brown pounded the Gators for 25 yards on three carries down to 1.

But on back-to-back plays, the Sooners couldn't block backup defensive tackle Torrey Davis.

On third-and-goal, Davis slipped through the line and popped Brown for no gain.

Then on fourth-and-goal, Davis sliced through guard Brian Simmons and center Jon Cooper and dropped Brown two yards behind the line of scrimmage — the 12th time in 81 tries all season the Sooners didn't score a touchdown with the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

“That just wasn't us. It was real frustrating,” said left tackle Phil Loadholt.

“They just won the line of scrimmage,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who noted after the game that maybe a play-action pass would have been the better call in that situation with Florida selling out against the run.

“We probably should have made a better call,” he said.

But later on in the quarter, the Sooners had another chance to take a lead into halftime, moving 74 yards in just over 2 minutes, highlighted by a third-down, 11-yard grab by tight end Jermaine Gresham down to the Gator 6.

Even though Gresham got out of bounds with 10 seconds left, OU called its last timeout to discuss the next play.

“We were going to throw it in the end zone,” Wilson said, “And if we didn't score, kick the field goal.”

Bradford tried to squeeze a pass to wide receiver Manny Johnson running a slant route in front of the goal line.

But the ball bounced off Johnson's hands, ricocheted off two Gators, then landed softly in the arms of Florida safety Major Wright for the interception. Had Johnson came up with the catch, however, he likely would've been stopped before scoring and time would've run out.

“Obviously, I wasn't trying to throw an interception, but yeah, we called it, and it actually wasn't the coverage we were expecting to run that play,” said Bradford, who threw for just 111 yards in the second half after that interception. “I tried to force one in there, but I probably should have just thrown it in the back of the end zone and taken the three points.”

Said Johnson, “We moved the ball really well in the first half. We just couldn't capitalize in the red zone.

“That gets you beat.”

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Football, College Athletics, College Football


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OU gave up their season defensive average against scoring, actually 2.5 pts less when you
throw out UT-Chattanooga 1-AA. Florida gave up their same seasonal average. OU got
whipped in the Red-Zone and on special teams(FG). Stoops made bad decisions during the
game. Uptempo offense, especially during the 4th quarter didn't allow the defense to get
a "blow", consequently, they were on their heels. You put all this and some other things
together and you get a LOSS. Whether it was 1 pt. or 100, OU got taken to the Wood Shed
again, in a BCS Bowl. 5 straight loss's under this regime. But there are some constants
we can rely on. The sun will come up, the birds will sing, and Stoopsy will count his money.
jo, edmond - Jan 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm
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OU gave up their season defensive average against scoring, actually 2.5 pts less when you
throw out UT-Chattanooga 1-AA. Florida gave up their same seasonal average. OU got
whipped in the Red-Zone and on special teams(FG). Stoops made bad decisions during the
game. Uptempo offense, especially during the 4th quarter didn't allow the defense to get
a "blow", consequently, they were on their heels. You put all this and some other things
together and you get a LOSS. Whether it was 1 pt. or 100, OU got taken to the Wood Shed
again, in a BCS Bowl. 5 straight loss's under this regime. But there are some constants
we can rely on. The sun will come up, the birds will sing, and Stoopsy will count his money.
jo, edmond - Jan 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm
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Hey Edwin in Prague

You Loosers were on the Texas sites for a week after the BCS awarded you the Big 12 South Championship, showing how arrogant and classless OU fans are.

Now that your team has once agained, showed you can't win a big game... Choke on it!

Its 7:42 pm CST and OU Still sucks!
James, Memphis - Jan 10, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I believe there was a typo in the headline. It should read, "..OU offense one for the aged goes flat...AGAIN."
Here's to the OU bandwagon fans that deserve this: B.H. and L.E.(who never made a fair bet in his life). Chew on this for a year, bandwagon Swooners.
Danny, Vail - Jan 10, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Next year's newest bowl game, The Aflac Biggest Loser Bowl has already invited OU and the Ohio State University Buckeyes to play each other.
"At least one of these losers is going away a winner." announced Chairman Felix Galulli, "And the other will simply continue with the stigma of being The Biggest Loser."
Danny, Vail - Jan 10, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Sooners offense has played against basically high school defenses,not their fault,just the Big 12 is like the Big 10,overated.....you guys need to strengthen the conference or the schedule.
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 10, 2009 at 5:55 pm
14 points.....roflmfao!!!
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 10, 2009 at 5:52 pm
SEC RULZ you truly do show the SEC with no class. Scum like you are losers.
Paul, Norman - Jan 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm
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Congrats to the Gators, you beat us fair and square. Sooners had the opportunity to win they game but didn't. Gators executed, we didn't.
Bradford didn't have his best night. Wilson tried to confuse the defense so much with all the shifing that it actually slowed the Sooners. We lost, they won, end of story. Still.....Boomer Sooner!
william, destin - Jan 10, 2009 at 3:29 pm
thats Mr SEC to you beeotches
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 10, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hmm...I am noticing a family tree trend here, or as they say in the SEC states, a family stalk since the families have no branches.
edwin, Tulsa - Jan 10, 2009 at 1:40 pm
What do they call a girl from an SEC state who can outrun her brothers?
edwin, Tulsa - Jan 10, 2009 at 1:39 pm
It is odd that so many can come on this site to denigrate the OU team. You would think that these folks would be at home fantasizing about having inappropriate relationships with their mothers again.
edwin, Tulsa - Jan 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Florida's defense was disappointing...They came into this only allowing opponents to score 12.8 points/game, and they let the sooners hang 14 on them....the only explanation was that the Gators defensive unit partied late into the previous night.....oh well....south beach can be a distraction....maybe next time they will shut them out.... I'm sure Meyer had them run sprints all day Friday...damn slackers.....
ou sucks - Jan 10, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Rebekah, Wellston - Jan 9, 2009 at 4:49 pm; I am an avid OU fan. I think tebow is very good, but also i believe they have over-hyped him and florida. concrats to florida, it was a very good game. IF half the off field credits are true I commend tebow, but he is not the best quarterback I have seen by far, he is not the best athlete, he is a very good leader with a strong will to win. that makes his skills to look better than they are. I wish him the best until OU and florida meet next year. I hope he and bradford come back and we get to play again next year. G O !!!!!!! S O O N E R S !!!!!!!!
Brian, Owasso - Jan 10, 2009 at 11:16 am
Boomer Swooner
Boomer Swooner
Boomer Swooner
Boomer Swoon.
Amazing how fast the Swooners got away from the passing game that gave them such success over the year.
Oh, well. Time for the Swooners to give Stoops another raise.
I suppose it's for the boost in false hope that the Swooners can beat anyone without cheating like in the old Switzer days.
Danny, Vail - Jan 10, 2009 at 5:01 am
man if OU had qb sneaked on the goal line we wOUld have scored. what the hell? every dummy know if yOU just need less than a 1 YARD QB sneak is the ONLY logical call. Also Venables shOUld kill himself for not puttin a spy on teblow! what the hell man? every year I say I'm not goin to another bcs game & get suckered into wastin my $, well yOU know what, bob, no more. florida didn't beat OU. Penalties & bone headed coachin did. I didn't see a decisive sec speed advantage.
Jiohdee, atlanta - Jan 10, 2009 at 2:19 am
OU's offense is hardly one for the ages. When they actually play a team with a good defense they get stuffed. This is what playing in the big 12 has done.
Okiechokie, Chokelahoma City - Jan 10, 2009 at 12:37 am
Just to clarify, my main point is that when the gators passed the ball, we didn't contest the catch often enough, but tackled the receiver AFTER the catch. This usually gave them a first down or 3rd and short. We need to be more aggressive with our defensive secondary and not give them such a cushion to catch AND run with the ball. We can take notes from the gators pass defense. Our run defense was good enough, except when Tebow ran free up the middle without someone shadowing him. I'd say we matched up with the gator's speed pretty well.
Big D, Bethany - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:33 pm
First, I'd like to give it up to the Gators who are a very talented team, even though the game was played in their own back yard - not an even playing field!! Did anyone else notice that our no-huddle drill seemed to take longer and longer as the game went on? I would guess that the play callers were continually 2nd guessing themselves and were afraid to make a decision. This gave the gator coaches time to react and the defense time to catch their breath. I'd say you have to go with the play calling and game plan that brought you success to begin with. Bradford played an excellent game, I don't care what anybody says. His receivers faced an awesome pass defense that contested EVERY catch. They are the ones who dropped his passes. Remember, this happened when we lost to LSU and USC in title games a few years back! Why doesn't Stoops learn from this and hire a better defensive secondary coach????????? All in all, we still had an awesome year and Bob, Stoops is worth every penny he makes, but he needs to get tougher on pass defense. To the rest of you Sooner fans who might be angry with him - who is going to take his place?
Big D, Bethany - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:23 pm
uh,what was the Big 12's record this bowl season??
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I agree tom. The safeties are much closer to the line in those situations. I kept yelling at the TV when OU was on the one to go wide right, quick pitch, or that little option play OU has, all they had to do was make the corner and the Florida guy on that side of the field was in close and on the outside shoulder of the tight end. Or as you said a little play action pass, like when Brody E. slipped out into the end zone against OSU (Kolby Smith did the same play against Neb. or Tech).
Richard, Visalia - Jan 9, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Running well in mid field is not the same as running close to the end zone. Much tougher the closer you get. Should have play actioned, as a matter of fact, should have play actioned more throughout the game. Can't Sam audible out of a play if he sees that the other team is in a good coverage. Josh used to do it all the time, but Sam doesn't seem to do that.
tom, Lawton - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:55 pm
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Yea SEC RULZ,you mean like the defensive clinic Alabama and South Carolina put on? Florida deserves all the credit and praise that goes their way, they won fair and square and are an awesome team. But do not be a complete idiot and have the whole conference ride Florida's coat tails. They beat the crap out of the SEC save one team, clearly head and shoulders above the rest of that conference. So, it appears Florida is clearly the cream of the SEC crop and you are living vicariously through them.
Richard, Visalia - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Oklahoma had an ok offense,nothing special. Avg 54 a game would equal about 20 per game in the SEC, where real football is played.
SEC RULZ, Greenup - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:42 pm
B houston,,, you know what? I was just trying to be sportsmanlike and give kudos to the sooners for a tough game, and you have to go baggin on tim tebow. Key words in your sentence is THE MEDIA hype. They are the ones that make a big thing outa tim. You OU fans are one of a kind, always talkin smack about how OU is the best then when you come across a team who gives you a headache (i.e. last night) its excuse after excuse why OU lost. I have lived here for 7 years, and let me say OU fans are terribly rude and obnoxious. I know this cause i wore my orange and blue almost every day of football season, and the last 6 weeks ive been glared at by people who looked like they wanted to kick me or spit on me. you just dont get that when you go to florida with the exception of gameday. You know why i think you guys hate Tim? you are all JEALOUS of a superb football player. Now, to the sooner fans out there who dont act like utter children please know that this isnt directed at you. These are KIDS playing a game. please just grow up and get a life. I still think sam and all the sooner players played a great game last night and it was really fun to watch. My hat is off to them too. Did you guys catch that last play when the official got sandwiched between the players? Was that not hilarious? I bet he is sore as crap today. lol
Rebekah, Wellston - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:27 pm
We should not forget that these players have generally been pampered through their school lives and are used to trash talking. All of these guys (and some fans too) need to show some class and maturity. Ali was pitiful with his lip service but he generally backed it up. It still sounded pitiful. They can save it for the trashy NFL, if they are good enough for the 'elite' group.
Teddy, Oklahoma City - Jan 9, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Wilson thinks maybe the slow-developing run on 4th and goal was a bad call?? No damn kidding! I was talking to the TV, pleading for a rollout or at least a qb sneak or quick hitter straight ahead, ANYTHING but an east-west run! And what do they do? Well, you saw it...why is is so obvious to fans and not coaches?? What do they smoke??
Bob, Signal Hill - Jan 9, 2009 at 8:48 pm
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Loadholt and Robinson once again proved they are too big to handle the speed rush. Wilson blew it with the slow tempo. Offense came out flat in 3d qtr. Franks after talking so much trash played scared, instead of tackling he kept laying down on the turf in front of the runners and hoped they tripped over him.
steve, nicholasville - Jan 9, 2009 at 7:34 pm
"Oh no, we suck again!" Name that movie.
Gary, Oklahoma City - Jan 9, 2009 at 6:58 pm
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Sooners need to stop believing everything the "fans" and media (local especially) tell them and stop letting all the hype go to their heads. Stoops needs to sequester the team and focus them in the direction they should go. Cut off media interviews for team members that can't keep from giving the opposition bullitin board material. They played like they didn't think Florida COULD beat them. Sooner magic is a mythg and big game bob chokes again...
K, In My AC Truck - Jan 9, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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Chins up, you downers! Yeah, its not fun to lose a third title game, but the Sooners played pretty well and change 2-3 plays and you are all out on the streets of Norman partying. I'd have rather won, but having personally witnessed the USC and Boise State debacles, I will take this version of a loss any before before having to suffer through anything like those two humiliations.
CECIL, Encinitas - Jan 9, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Rebekah from Wellson...many of us had that positive attitude too, before OU's 3rd straight national title game meltdown. After a while, it gets to you and wears down your optimism. When and if Florida ever has the repeated disappointments OU has had, you would understand more. In the meantime, hearing all this sickening media-worship of Tebow is getting old. Honestly, that guy is the most hyped and overrated player I have ever seen. The reason UF won that game is because of all their other great players. Tebow didn't intercept any passes or make any DL goal line stops.
B, Houston - Jan 9, 2009 at 6:31 pm
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I really wasn't impressed with Tebow. I saw only one really good throw. Now the players around him were studs. But to listen to the announcers he is jesus christ superstar.
Matt, Stilwell - Jan 9, 2009 at 5:07 pm
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The announcers were off, they sucked
Matt, Stilwell - Jan 9, 2009 at 5:04 pm
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bradford was not off neither was chris brown or the the d-line.
Matt, Stilwell - Jan 9, 2009 at 5:02 pm
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Im a gator and I say that was a heck of a ball game last night. The sooners played well and there is no reason they should feel ashamed of themselves. There were mistakes on both sides, but what caused OUs demise were the redzone splats. Florida has a heck of a defense, and they proved how good they are last night. I am just happy everyone stayed healthy. These are just kids and there is no excuse for saying some of the things i have heard. There is no reason to start pointing fingers, just be happy that OU made it to the greatest game in the land, continue to cheer them on. Florida just recently came out of a ron zook slump so I know how you sooners feel. Football is supposed to be fun. But i have to say it, Tebow and the Gators ROCKED the house last night, aint no denying it.
Rebekah, Wellston - Jan 9, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Good job defense & special teams! Wilson did a horrible job of play calling, learn how to mix it up! He totally forgot about Gresham over the middle, which was the best matchup OU had. Maybe Stoops should give Josh a crack at calling plays. Receivers were a little off, as was Bradford. Did anyone else notice the clear pass interfernce on the first pass to Manny? The Florida player was clearly there before the ball, just thought it set the tone for the receivers being a little short armed. Not trying to complain about the refs, but they clearly blew some calls on both sides. AND YES THE ANNOUNCERS WERE HORRIBLE! WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
Jeremy, Krum - Jan 9, 2009 at 3:03 pm
How 'bout thos announcers for Fox? Was not that the worse you've ever seen? All they did was quote jibberish from all the rhetoric that has been spewed over the last month. I about died when that idiot thought it was second and goal when it was first and goal. Then he just went downhill from there...both of the thought it was fourth down when it was only third. At the beginning of the game they said that OU's special teams were "horrible" all year. But did they even notice when OU's starting field position on kickoffs was about the 35 and Florida's was about the 15. Seasoned announcers notice that kind of stuff, but these guys were just passing the time trying to be cute instead of actually "analyzing" the game.
Please ESPN, please get these games back!
Vince, Tuttle - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Florida had superior talent on Defense. No excuses. Percy Harvin is a unbelievable talent.
jimmy, Aberdeen - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I think I am in tune with everyone else! When the offense got to the line and hiked the ball quickley it seemed we had the edge! Then in the second half we tried to out think Florida which inturn made us out think ourselves. The defense did there part! Still who whould have thought we would have played in the National Championship when the year started! Congrats again to makeing it to the final game!
Can't wait to give in another try!
Boomer Sooner
Brad, Fort Worth - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:39 pm
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The offense has been AWFUL in EVERY bowl game under Stoops. Even the Washington State score was all sparked by D.
Chris, Hesston - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:14 pm
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (sniffle) (sniffle)

Pathetic
Jordan, Oklahoma City - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:13 pm
You know, we keep making excuses for OU and every year since 2003, we have watched the offense sludge along and poor decisions being made in bowl games. Last night is no exception. Yes, the defense played well holding the Gators to 24 points. Bradford played well as did Brown! Florida's strategy to keep OU off the field to prevent a wind sprint paid off. Kevin Wilson reverted back to that basic offense we played at the Texas game but not since then and Bob Stoops made several huge game management blunders. The officiating in the first quarter was horrible. The "no-huddle" did us no good. The supposedly best offensive line in country had some issues. It was a repeat of previous years minus the blowouts.

The bottom line is that Wilson and Stoops blew it. And we are only 4-6 in bowls since Bob took over. This is unacceptable.

It is time for Stoops to clean house and hire a new offensive coordinator or maybe it is time for President Boren to simply clean house. To say, "wait til next year.." is silly. We have been "waiting til next year" since 2002. Maybe Big Game should look to take his game to the NFL after all. I would hate to see it but this is unacceptable.
David, Grimes - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The abandonment of the hurry-up was the most disgusting thing of the whole shebang. Why? I have no LOGICAL answer. If one noticed, when we hurried to the ball and weren't stopped by the atrocious officials [do they PLAY football in the ACC?] we went down the field like a rocket-sled on rails! Just like all season. But when Wilson wanted to show his "genius" and "out-think" Charlie Strong, Florida kicked our teeth in. Period. Geez, we played so much better than last time, and yet it wasn't nearly as good as it needed to be. Five years of the same crap. That isn't players. It's coaches. It's recruiting. It's coaching decisions. I'm feeling ill...
Chris, Hesston - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Everyone's using the bowl outcomes to point to over-rated Big12 offenses. It comes down to 30 days to prepare for a team and familiarity with your opponents. We put up big numbers against ourselves because we know the teams we're going against better and there is only one week between games to prepare for the next team, 2 with a bye. There's no way our defense plays that stout with just one week's prep for Florida, and I would say no way Florida contain's our offense with just a week to prep.
Kyle, Dallas - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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This is a first for me but I agreed with Corso completely on his post-game analysis. This was a conservative effort of offensive play calling. I think Wilson is an exceptional offensive mastermind at developing an offensive system, but he seems average to above average as an in-game strategian, adjusting to what the other team is doing. I was pleasantly surprised at both Corso's and Herbstreit's accolades for OU. I heard Herbstreit say a couple of times that this was a game that could have been won by either team, that there were multiple times that OU dominated the line of scrimmage both offensively and defensively -- all sandwiched in between kissing Tebow's butt of course -- but still a nice surprise.
It was a great year. Disappointing that we left points on the field that could have changed the outcome.
Kyle, Dallas - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:52 pm
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O-line was not overrated. Bradford was hurried some, but really had good protection most of the night. We ran well - but we ran well when Florida was expecting pass. When we lined up in run formation, we usually could only muster a few yards at most. This game reminds me so much of the Texas game in many ways from a play calling standpoint. How can a team move the ball down the field with ease, running our true no-huddle and not stick with that style more consistently? Florida would score, we would follow it with an up tempo drive and move right down the field and score. Even after the field goal we moved well only to lose out to an incredible play on the interception. After their last score, with only 3 minutes left and down two possessions we were essentially out of it with or without another touchdown drive. The "2 minute drill" at the end of the first half, marched right down the field. But whenever we would check off our plays, running a huddle at the line of scrimmage, we really accomplished nothing. I don't understand why it seemed to take Florida scoring to get us to abandon on the play calling adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
Kyle, Dallas - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm
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Bradford did everything expected of him. He looked to the sideline (for hours it seemed) and he ran the play they called. Kevin Wilson called a terrible game. We didn't do the things that got us here. We didn't win 1st down... we kept going for the long ball. We didn't utilize our weapons. We didn't play with rhythm - we kept changing and rechanging plays. Wilson used December to forget what got us here, it seems. The defense played well enough to win. I don't think Wilson or anyone else should be fired... but I'm very disappointed in our offensive coaches... again. This whole game felt like the second half against Texas... which felt like the the West Virginia game, which felt like Colorado, and on and on. Only this time, we managed to screw it up with a running back that still gained over 100, a Heisman trophy QB who made virtually no mistakes, a tight end that caught 2 touchdowns, and an offensive line that is supposed to be the best. I like Kevin Wilson, but if he performs as even a shadow of himself, we score in the 30's. Terrible job. Good effort by the kids though. Great D and kickoff coverage. Venebles deserves real praise.
Grant, Edmond - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The biggest difference in the game was that Florida had a QB that was a huge running threat and OU had a QB that was no running threat. Florida had a much easier defensive challenge than OU.
David, Missouri City - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Like all in the Sooner family I am very dissapointed in the loss. I really thought we were going to win this one and would have if we could have converted in the red zone. However, it was a great year and I believe our coaches are some of the most successful and competent in the country. How many other teams have gotten to four NC games in 10 years? Let's lick our wounds, mourn for a while and then let's get back to putting together another great year in 2009 and playing for the big games again.
Jess, Norman - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:37 pm
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Wilson's play calling was too conservative around the goal line. I'm sure he thought he was doing the right thing but why not a play action pass instead of a third and goal run. Florida is extremely fast and the fourth down play that was to go outside was just wrong. Hindsight is great and second guessing is the thing to do but I sure wish OU had gone for the FG at the end of the first half. The offense was not in rhythm and part of it, a large part, was the officials. They stopped play more for non existent reasons. Florida is kicking the ball which is a penalty but not called. But it was not the officating that cost the Sooners the game. Florida is just plain good. Their defense was fast and the coverage was good and Bradford was not as accurate as usual. The two interceptions were off Sooner receiver's hands. But the ball was not placed as well as he has done all year. It was a close game and OU lost. It is that simple. I feel like the old Brooklyn Dodger fans "Wait till next year!" But I am kind of tired of saying it. GO SOONERS!!!
William, Fairfield - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Like all in the Sooner family I am very dissapointed in the loss. I really thought we were going to win this one and would have if we could have converted in the red zone. However, it was a great year and I believe our coaches are some of the most successful and competent in the country. How many other teams have gotten to four NC games in 10 years? Let's lick our wounds, mourn for a while and then let's get back to putting together another great year in 2009 and playing for the big games again.
Jess, Norman - Jan 9, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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Big 12 defenses really are mediocre. Also, offensive play calling very bad. Not Bradford's fault. All those delays looking at sidelines, let Florida get set and cost us rhythm. Also, when a line can't clear out a couple yards and a quarterback never runs, well ...
Stuart, Brooklyn - Jan 9, 2009 at 9:29 am
OU just nutted up again, two squandered opportunities in the second quarter. Now I see why the rest of the country calls us Chokelahoma. We just got exposed, O-line was overrated all along. Our defense really played a good game, even with the 3rd string middle linebacker. Offense got shut down after the half-time adjustments by Flordia. Congratulations to the national champion Florida Gators.
David, canton - Jan 9, 2009 at 8:45 am
Feeling the pressure and experiencing the environment of the NC game can only make a team better in the long run, win or lose. Eventually, since understanding the culture of the top game, which few teams do, OU should learn from each experience and pull out a win sooner or later. In other words I'm glad at least to have made it to the big game and that our team gave it their all, even if we lost the darn thing!
Jeff, Tulsa - Jan 9, 2009 at 7:30 am
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Jake Trotter. You have some nerve writing an article with THAT title. After all, it was YOU and BERRY and a few others at the Oklahoman who tempted the football gods and karma with your "greatest offense ever" articles. Just like it does every time with this OU program, it jinxed them. You guys wrote the same crap in '03 before the KState game and the result was eerily similar. So, thanks for that. You guys just don't get it. Save the "best ever" arguments for the END of the season. That way you don't have to LOOK like the pack of morons that you are.
Chris, Hesston - Jan 9, 2009 at 6:14 am
Love how all the OU bashers come outta the woodwork now!!!! Thats all right though, we'll still pull for OU and just think OU will ruin someones party before its over with!!! Drop the SEC crap, we're tired of the stretch!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Jan 9, 2009 at 4:14 am
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how about some officials and a site that's not in florida? tee it up
Danial, Portland - Jan 9, 2009 at 3:08 am
FLORIDA RULES!!! THE SEC RULES!!! THE SEC HAS THREE NATIONAL TITLES BACK TO BACK TO BACK... BABY!!!! THE SEC IS 5 AND 0 IN THE BCS NATIONAL TITLE GAME SINCE 98'!!! SO IF YOU WANNA SEE SOME CRYSTAL, THEN HEAD TO SEC COUNTRY BOYS!!!!
ERIC, NY - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:41 am
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no, no, no. hello knuckleheads. tebow would be the 13th best qb in the big 12. he doubled his interceptions in this game. OU dominated, it was a whole lot of luck to win this one for the gators. they are a good team, but 2nd to the sooners. let's play again.
Danial, Portland - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:30 am
Congrats to Florida. For me, all I ask is that my team be in the mix for a conference title and a national championship. The sooners are always in the mix which is more than a lot of other teans can say
Curt, Midwest City - Jan 9, 2009 at 2:22 am
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Tebow is a QB and a leader--Sam is a QB and probably a better pro prospect, but like Jason no fire--w/o the dropped balls OU could have won, which is not on Sam, But Tebow's passion was unmatched
p, muskogee - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:41 am
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We just weren't as good!!
p, muskogee - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:31 am
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lol - where are you Sooner fans?
george, Gainesville - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:26 am
Offense for the ages!!! LOL!!! Not hardly. ou just finally had to play a defense in the top 55!!!
trojansrule, Los Angeles - Jan 9, 2009 at 1:24 am

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