NORMAN — Missouri's offense is a middle linebacker's nightmare. Oklahoma junior Curtis Lofton admitted that much after beating the Tigers 41-31 Saturday night.
A spread offense usually results in one-on-one pass coverage and open-field tackling, two areas that can be uncomfortable for a linebacker.
Yet Lofton turned in possibly the best performance of his career — 18 tackles and a touchdown on a fumble return. And the fact that it came against such an offense makes it even more impressive.
"He was outstanding,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "Making that many plays against a spread team, an empty (backfield) team, is indicative of his playmaking ability.”
For his efforts, he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week Monday. And his performance came in a high-stress situation. Facing a spread offense, a linebacker can often end up in one-on-one coverage against a receiver or running back, the ultimate test of his skill — and Lofton passed.
After taking a look at the game tape, Venables found another reason to praise Lofton.
While others might have seen what looked to be an obvious fumbled exchange between quarterback Chase Daniel and receiver Jeremy Maclin in the fourth quarter Saturday — the fumble Lofton picked up and ran in for a touchdown — Venables had a different perspective.
"(Missouri) will say ‘that was a mistake on our part,' but the receiver fumbles the ball on the sweep because he sees Curtis coming off the edge,” Venables said. "(Maclin) gets his eye on it that they don't have somebody accounted for. The back is responsible for the defensive end and they're hoping you're not bringing anybody off the edge.
"So the receiver's eyes go to Curtis, so really, he kind of caused the fumble and scooped and scored it.”
Lofton has made quite a jump in three years since he came to OU from Class 3A Kingfisher High School. But head coach Bob Stoops says pulling the talented players from the small-school ranks is a simple matter of scouting.
"It doesn't matter to us what level he's playing at,” Stoops said. "You project a guy for what he'll be able to do for you with his physical ability. And then you watch his toughness. Regardless of who he's playing against, you see a guy who's making plays and is competitive.
"Curtis, I don't care where he's playing, he was a very powerful young guy out of high school that had size to him, had great quickness, had the ability to change direction. He played with a lot of power to him.”
And here comes the scary part.
"He's still improving,” Venables said. "He's got a number of things he'll keep getting better at.”
