Oklahoma football: Quarterback Landry Jones was not the Sooners' problem against UTEP

When a reporter at Big 12 media days prefaced a question by mentioning that Landry Jones had struggled late in 2011, when he didn't throw a touchdown pass for 151/2-straight quarters, Stoops jumped to Jones' defense.

“Everybody (said), ‘Landry struggled.' No, he didn't,” Stoops said. “The offense struggled. ... To me, it's more of an issue of the offense and the offense around him than it is him.”

If discussing the 2011 post-Ryan Broyles passing attack, the coach's points are debatable.

As for Saturday's underwhelming season opener — the No. 4-ranked Sooners beat traditional doormat UTEP 24-7, with the teams tied at halftime and separated early in the fourth quarter only by one of UTEP's three missed field goals — Stoops' points aren't up for any serious debate. Landry Jones was not the problem Saturday.

Not even close.

The senior spent many of OU's passing downs showing off his recently developed mobility while evading Miner defenders who were often unabated by an offensive line that clearly missed Ben Habern, Tyler Evans and their combined 59 career starts far more than anyone during fall camp knew — or was willing to admit.

A few times Saturday, though, the offensive line did protect Jones well; but on some of those plays, the receiver corps — itself comprised almost exclusively of new Sooners — struggled to get open.

Junior Kenny Stills, the one receiver with whom Jones has worked for more than eight months, was Mr. Reliable on Saturday in the slot. He grabbed six balls for 121 yards, which included a first-quarter, 68-yard touchdown reception.