Coaches were correct: Defense didn't miss a beat

NORMAN — All spring, the Oklahoma coaches have insisted they weren't missing a beat in the defensive backfield, despite losing both starting cornerbacks in Reggie Smith and Marcus Walker.

Turns out, they weren't kidding.

The cornerback trio of Dominique Franks, Brian Jackson and Jonathan Nelson put on a show Saturday for the 23,306 fans who came to Owen Field for the Red-White spring game as the squad comprised of the first-team offense and second-team defense won 69-40 in a scoring system that awarded points for offensive and defensive accomplishments.

"If you're going to be any good at all defensively, you better be good in this situation and I thought we were,” coach Bob Stoops said, referring to the 30-mile-per-hour wind that plagued the passing game. "I was really pleased with the play of our secondary. I thought their position all day was great. I thought the corners were excellent.”

Franks alone intercepted three passes, including a tipped ball he returned 57 yards for a touchdown in the game's first minute.

After diving for a second interception, he later returned a third pick 35 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal by Jimmy Stevens.

"(Secondary coach Bobby Jack) Wright tells us every day that when the ball goes up, we have to play like a receiver. And when we catch it, go score,” Franks said. "We're getting a little bit more comfortable as we've gone along.

"We've had a great spring and we need to carry that on into the summer.”

While Jackson didn't have an interception, he did cause one.

In the first half off a cornerback blitz, Jackson deflected quarterback Sam Bradford's pass into the air before defensive end Alan Davis made the interception.