Miami's 1-2 punch
Backs James, Cooper will test Sooners' defense
Backs James, Cooper will test Sooners' defense

By Jake Trotter

Published: September 3, 2007

NORMAN — Late in the first half, tailback Javarris James provided Miami's top highlight, busting loose on a 50-yard run Saturday against Marshall.

But a holding penalty brought the ball back.

On the next play, however, freshman Graig Cooper relieved a winded James, then unveiled an even more impressive scamper 56 yards up the middle that set up a Miami touchdown.

Last year, the Hurricanes had one of the worst running attacks in the county, ranking just 84th in rush offense at 116 yards per game.

But with the addition of Cooper, four starters returning on the offensive line and dual-threat junior Kirby Freeman supplanting flatfooted senior Kyle Wright at quarterback, Miami will test Oklahoma's front seven when the Hurricanes visit Norman this Saturday.

"They looked very impressive,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.

Both Miami's rush offense and OU's rush defense were impressive in their openers.

The flashy running duo of James and Cooper combined for 201 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

James — cousin of Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James — had 13 carries for 93 yards and two scores, averaging 7.2 yards a rush.

Cooper — who nearly signed with Oklahoma State — ran for 108 yards in his college debut, averaging 9 yards a carry.

Neither runner was stopped for a loss all game, either.

"We can wear teams down physically with the one-two combination,” Miami first-year coach Randy Shannon said after the Hurricanes defeated Marshall 31-3. "If we can wear teams down like that and keep playing physical football, we're going to be fine.”

Add Freeman's ability to scramble out of the pocket or carry the ball on rollouts and the Sooners have one more playmaker to contain.

"Kirby is very fast and athletic,” Venables said. "You'd much rather play a guy like Chris Simms back there who isn't comfortable running the ball.”

The Sooners, meanwhile, showed they still know how to stop the run.

OU held North Texas starting running back Jamario Thomas — who led the nation in rushing three years ago — to just 4 yards on five carries.

But that was out of a finesse spread attack.

Miami will run right at OU's front seven.

"I'm interested to see how we play against a two-back team that knows how to run the ball,” Venables said. "That's when our linebackers are at their best.”

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