Oklahoma football: 'Belldozer' has changed the lives of Blake Bell's family

“When you go into a situation like fourth-and-2 against Notre Dame on national TV ... that's not just coming in for mop-up duty,” Mark Bell said. “I know Blake feels great about it, and we feel great that the coaches have the confidence to go to Blake in a situation like that. It definitely helps prepare you for when you're in there every down.”

But this season, he's also gotten a taste of what it's like to be Oklahoma's quarterback when you've messed up. In the Sooners' 24-19 loss to Kansas State on Sept. 22, Bell fumbled a snap on first-and-goal; Kansas State recovered, taking away six likely OU points.

Bouncing back from mistakes and tuning out criticism are important aspects of being the OU quarterback; in that area, he's got an ideal mentor.

“What a perfect person to learn from ... Landry takes so much criticism, and is probably one of the best you see at brushing stuff off, going back out and performing well,” Brock Bell said.

Mark Bell played six NFL seasons before returning home to run Bell's Carpet & Floors, which has operated in Wichita through four Bell generations. Thanks to the popular son with his very own formation, the store has lots of new customers these days.

“It helps business; let's put it that way,” quipped Mark Bell, who added that he's happy Blake is beginning to develop an identity beyond the Belldozer.

“You can't argue with somebody naming a package after you; that's really special, but it seems like people think he's the Belldozer and all he can do is run.

“Blake can flat sling it. ... It's only a matter of time before people see it.”