Red-White Spring Game: Thoughts and observations

Before the Red-White Spring Game, Travis Lewis crowed all his White defense needed was a field goal lead.

Saturday, he backed up his talk.

Then afterward, talked some more.

Led by Lewis, the White shut out the Red 23-0 in a dominating performance by the White defenders.

With the win, the White team will eat steak Monday night following the final practice of the spring.

The Red team?

Franks and beans.

“I’m going to hold the mustard,” Lewis said. “Whoever wants mustard for their hot dog, I’m gonna have it.

“I want my steak medium. Every day, I’m going to remind them of this. I want you to remind them of it, too.”

Lewis, the first Sooner in a longtime to plan out his postgame interview garb, donned all white after the game to celebrate the victory.

“I wanted to let everyone know who I’m playing for,” he said. “I wanna wear my colors for my team.”

Lewis’ antics didn’t begin there.

During the game, with the White well in control, Lewis picked up a penalty flag after a Red offensive holding call and tossed it at the perpetrator, tackle Cory Brandon, as he jogged off the field.

“I wanted to make sure he knew, they knew that we were coming after them,” Lewis said. “Wanted to make sure he felt me.”

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the head coach of the White, appreciated Lewis’ enthusiasm for the scrimmage; however was glad to see the end of Lewis’ alter-ego.

“It was good for a day,” Venables said. “But that would get really old quick.

“After today, that little charade is over.”

Other news and notes from the scrimmage:

* Guard Stephen Good had to be carted off the field because of an ankle injury, but coach Bob Stoops said afterward that Good suffered a high ankle sprain and should be fine in a couple weeks.

Good was the only player injured during the game.

Running back Jermie Calhoun, who has been banged up of late, dressed out, but didn’t participate in the scrimmage.

* Starting QB Landry Jones capped an impressive spring with a solid spring game outing.

Jones completed 17 of 34 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns and didn’t throw a pick.

Through three scrimmages, counting the spring game, Jones threw a total of one interception, displaying improved poise and decision-making throughout the last two months.

“Landry is gaining maturity and you can see that he’s more sure of himself,” coach Bob Stoops said.

* No. 2 QB Drew Allen was sharp, much sharper than he or Jones were in last year’s spring game. Early on, he found Jaz Reynolds down the sidelines with a pretty pass on third-and-20 for a 58-yard gain. Later, Allen connected with Ryan Broyles across the middle of the field for a 38-yard gain.

On the day, Allen completed 10 of 22 passes for 137 yards. He did throw two INTs, both came on fourth-down attempts when he was trying to make a play.

“He’s got a QB pedigree,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. “We’ve been pleased with him. He has a lot of work to do, but he’s working and doing well and has a chance to be a good player.”

With Allen’s performance, Wilson and the Sooners have to feel better about their backup quarterback situation going into the summer.

* Freshman wideout Kenny Stills could be a budding star at OU, and it’s not unthinkable he’ll be in the starting lineup at receiver when the Sooners open the season.

Stills is that talented.

Saturday, the spring game MVP led all receivers with six catches for 84 yards and a TD.

“It was everything I imagined it would be,” he said. “I definitely always expect good things from myself, and I went out there and played the best I could.