Gabe Ikard: Oklahoma’s offense, defense need to get on same page

NORMAN — Oklahoma junior center Gabe Ikard, a team captain, said one of the biggest problems for the Sooners through three 2012 games is that the offense and defense haven’t clicked at the same time very often.

“We’re not complementing the defense,” Ikard said. “We haven’t played well as a team, whether the offense is clicking or the defense is clicking.

“There hasn’t been a half where we were both on the same page doing well.”

Midway through the third quarter of Saturday’s 24-19 loss to Kansas State, the two units seemed on the same page, although briefly.

The Sooners went on an 11-play, 88-yard drive to score a go-ahead touchdown, which put OU up 13-10 with about five minutes remaining in the third.

OU’s defense stopped K-State’s ensuing drive before quarterback Landry Jones’ interception allowed the Wildcats to take back possession and score a touchdown for a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“We’ve just gotta get everybody playing at a high level all at the same time,” Ikard said. “We’re having long sessions in practice, working on fundamentals.”