Four questions about OU football
BY DAVID UBBEN, Staff Writer, dubben@opubco.com
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Published: November 9, 2009
Modified: November 10, 2009 at 11:21 am
Modified: November 10, 2009 at 11:21 am
→What is left for the Sooners to achieve?
Oklahoma lost its miniscule hopes of a Big 12 title when it left Lincoln with a frustrating "3” illuminated on Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium scoreboard. Now, it must reshuffle its goals once again. "Win out and get to a bowl game,” said senior linebacker Ryan Reynolds, whose team still lacks its bowl-qualifying sixth victory. "Just win the remaining games.” Oklahoma hosts Texas A&M next week before visiting Texas Tech, where the Sooners haven’t won since 2003. OU closes the regular season Nov. 28 at home against Oklahoma State. →Did Tress Way lose his job as kicker? Stoops said he considered bringing Jimmy Stevens off the bench Saturday when Way missed two field goals from beyond 40 yards and had another blocked. A change could come this week. Stevens made 11 of 13 field goals before being benched but had not made a kick from beyond 40 yards. Both misses were from beyond 40. Stevens also missed an extra point in a 64-0 win over Idaho State. If Stoops lacks confidence in Stevens, he could also look to junior kickoff specialist Matt Moreland, freshman Bryce Easley of Norman North or sophomore Patrick O’Hara. →What happened to the "good” Landry Jones? Equal parts good defense, inaccuracy, and poor play by the offensive line and receivers. "They’re not a big blitz team, but they caught us in a couple blitz deals to force him maybe to hurry some throws a few times,” Wilson said. "Protection, route-running. All parties needed to be better.” Jones set a school record with six TD passes Sept. 19 against Tulsa. Now he owns a less desirable place in the OU record books: (5) most interceptions in a game. Like any freshman, Jones has experienced his highs and lows. But Jones’ may be higher and lower than any quarterback to wear a Sooner uniform. If the Sooners want to be successful this season or in the future, Jones will have to find his median. If Jones wants to keep his job, that median must be closer to Tulsa than Nebraska. →Where is the team morale? Wilson said he was happy with how the team responded from its first three losses, and didn’t expect them to respond differently this time. "We’ve had a great deal of respect for the way our kids have been resilient, their practice habits, their attitude, their outlook. It’ll be interesting as we get ’em tomorrow,” he said. After Saturday’s game, Reynolds and Jones both said there has been no tension between Oklahoma’s championship-caliber defense and struggling offense. "We’ll see as we get to tomorrow where they’re at. But prior to coming out there last night, the attitude’s been pretty decent,” Wilson said. BY DAVID UBBEN
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"Do better."
Coaches need to coach better - they've shown incredible success. Now they need to do more with less by using creativity and instilling a little 'tude in the players. Especially the O-line. So what if you can't be as talented as the guys who left? Line up and knock someone's block off. Then, do it again. Come on coaches. You're culture started with guys who won a National Championship with a juco transfer QB and a bunch of players recruited by a guy who never coached a winning season at OU. Do better.
Players need to play better - you boys wear crimson for a reason. Now, prove it. Get out there and be a bad-a##. If you're gonna make a mistake, make it with flair. You are student athletes. We'll forgive you, but we've got to see real effort... and that includes mental effort. Do better.