Berry Tramel: Landry Jones is OU's version of the Iron Man

The OU-West Virginia game marks Landry's 44th straight Sooner start. The man who first got the job because of a quarterback's vulnerability has remained healthy across four seasons.

Landry hasn't always played well, though he mostly has. Hasn't always won, though he mostly has. But answer the bell? Always. Never knocked out of a game, never kept from a start.

What's his secret? Good blocking, tough bones, divine providence?

“It's a little of all of it,” Bob Stoops said. “It is toughness. He's a big strong guy, moreso than people realize. And then there's always some good fortune. He's been protected well.”

Since Landry's streak began, OSU has had six starting quarterbacks, three of which were decked by injury.

Maryland this season lost four QBs to injury and has resorted to a linebacker playing the game's most important position.

The tough and the talented (Robert Griffin, Denard Robinson, Andrew Luck), they've all been sidelined.

Notre Dame's Everett Golson, Arkansas' Tyler Wilson, South Carolina's Connor Shaw. They've all had to miss games this season.

So why has Landry stood tall?

“I don't know,” Landry said with a shrug. “For me, God keeping me safe on the field.”

Of course, it's like the late Clancy Frost, publisher of the Kiowa County Star-Review, used to say. God's on the side with the biggest tackles. Landry has been well-protected.

“That offensive line has done a really great job,” Landry said.

The same line that blocked for Landry in 2009 blocked for Sam Bradford in 2009, and Slingin' Sammy B's shoulder got crunched twice, which started Landry's streak.