Offensive line key to long TD runs
Their names haven't been called, but big guys have helped Bradford, running backs stand out
Offensive line key to long TD runs

Published: September 16, 2007

NORMAN — Twice, Oklahoma rushers scored untouched on long runs Saturday.

Twice, OU's public address announcer told the crowd, "It was all done” by the backs.

In reality, it was all done by the offensive line.

For the third straight game, OU's blockers dominated the line of scrimmage as the Sooners rolled past Utah State 54-3 in front of 84,403 fans at Owen Field.

"Our guys opened up huge holes,” coach Bob Stoops said. "The offensive line did a great job today.”

As well as they played, though, the names of linemen Branndon Braxton, Jon Cooper, Phil Loadholt, Duke Robinson, Brian Simmons and Trent Williams were never called by the announcer.

But it's been their play that's seemingly put every Sooner skill player into the Heisman race.

"We've got a lot of great players,” said Robinson, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound left guard. "But it starts with us up front.”

Behind this line, OU's offensive output has been staggering.

The Sooners are second in the nation in scoring, averaging 61.3 points a game.

OU has put up at least 51 points in all three victories, including last week against Miami, one of the nation's top defenses.

Against the Aggies, the Sooners had 617 yards of offense, 412 in the first half alone.

On the ground, OU ran for 343 yards, averaging almost nine yards a carry.

"The offensive line, we love the running game,” said Cooper, OU's center. "We were getting good blocks and getting guys on the ground.”

No player, however, has benefited from superb play up front more than quarterback Sam Bradford, who leads the nation in passing efficiency.

Against Utah State, Bradford completed 19 of 26 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

"Unless you were out there and saw how much time I have, you can't exactly understand just how good a job they do,” said Bradford, who's been sacked just twice all year. "They make my job so much easier.”

The line wasn't perfect, though. Two holding calls negated big plays. And Bradford was knocked to the turf three times, including once that led to his first interception.

But the two long scoring runs underscored how well this line has blocked.

In the third quarter, no defender came within three yards of DeMarco Murray, who dashed 92 yards into the end zone for the third-longest scoring run in school history.

Before that, Allen Patrick coasted 69 yards for a touchdown, his own receivers coming closest to bringing him down.

"The offensive line opened up a big hole,” Patrick said. "You could've driven a truck through it.”

Comments