Catch Iglesias — he's grabbing attention as possession receiver
Junior on pace to double 2006 output
Catch Iglesias — he's grabbing attention as possession receiver

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By Jake Trotter
Published: September 25, 2007

NORMAN — Juaquin Iglesias stutter-stepped on a stop-and-go route, leaving two Tulsa defenders scrambling to keep their feet.
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Wide open, Iglesias hauled in a pass by quarterback Sam Bradford and raced undisturbed into the end zone, igniting Oklahoma's 62-21 onslaught of Tulsa last Friday.

This year, Iglesias is making catches, breaking tackles and putting up numbers like never before.

"Based on how he played during two-a-days I'm not real shocked on how he's played,” receivers coach Kevin Sumlin said. "If he continues to make the kind of plays he's made, there's nothing but great things that are going to happen for us as a team.”

Iglesias has made the most of defenses focused on containing Biletnikoff Award candidate Malcolm Kelly.

"Malcolm was getting all the hype, and he's a great player,” Iglesias said. "That's the respect they have for him, and that's a great compliment to him.

"I told Malcolm at the beginning of the season if that (he gets doubled), I'm going to make as many plays as possible to keep him going, so we can get him the ball because he can make a lot of plays for us.”

So far, Iglesias has held up his end of the bargain.

This year, he leads OU in receptions (27) and receiving yards (444).

Iglesias is on pace to at least double his production from last year (41 catches, 514 yards); he already has as many touchdown receptions (2) as he did last season.

And he's a big reason why Bradford ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (215.45).

"Man, (Iglesias has been) unreal,” Bradford said. "He did a wonderful job (against Tulsa).”

Kelly has been called by coach Bob Stoops one of college football's best receivers, but Iglesias' performance has been the understated story for this year's offense.

Kelly has leveled opponents with the big play with seven of his 17 catches going for touchdowns.

But Iglesias has thrived as OU's possession wideout.

In the first game against North Texas, Iglesias caught two swing passes on the opening drive for 53 yards that set up a score.

Lately, however, he has been hurting defenses vertically, too.

In the second half at Tulsa, Iglesias caught Bradford's pass down the middle of the field, then broke four tackles to score his second touchdown of the year.

"I just try to make the plays to get the attention off (Kelly),” Iglesias said. "But if I don't, that's more plays for me.”

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I remember being at a practice two years ago (when I still lived in Norman) and watching Kelly and Iglesias. I knew when Kelly made a diving catch, did a rolling flip and came up with the ball that he was the real deal. Last year when AD was injured is when Igelsias caught my eye. The way these players work together is testament to what Stoops has brought to the once defunct (Blake) program. My heart swells with pride when I read articles like this!!! GO SOONERS!!!!!
Penny, Roswell - Sep 25, 2007 2:40 PM
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Iglesias is a great compliment to Malcolm. Manual Johnson, Adron Tennell, then Jermaine Gresham and Joe John. This entire receiving corps together is unreal. Good thing, they all have a team first attitude.
eudell, Virginia Beach - Sep 25, 2007 1:45 PM
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I think Iglesias is alot like Mark Clayton as far as size, speed, strength, and ability. He is the second coming of Mark Clayton and deserves the respect of the defenders like Malcomb Kelly. Because if you don't he will run to PAYDIRT. BOOMER SOONER!!!
Brian, Okemah - Sep 25, 2007 11:55 AM
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