Oklahoma football: Blake Bell named Oklahoma's backup quarterback

After the sophomore's superior performance in the spring game, loads of praise from coaches and teammates through fall camp and reports of strong scrimmage showings, he earned the nod over junior Drew Allen to be senior Landry Jones' backup.

“Drew has done a real good job and made great improvement,” Stoops said. “I just feel Blake has been more consistent overall and playing the way we need him to.”

Bell's elevation to No. 2 on the depth chart also makes him heir apparent to the Sooners' starting quarterback job in 2013, when Jones will be gone.

Bell pummeled his way into the end zone 13 times — and into fans' hearts — over the Sooners' final six games in 2011 out of the short-yardage package that became known as the “Belldozer.”

That role became especially vital after Ryan Broyles' season-ending ACL tear in the fifth-to-last game; after that, Bell rushed for 11 of the 14 touchdowns Oklahoma scored the rest of the season.