OU football notebook: No plans to change punt formation

BY DAVID UBBEN, Staff Writer, dubben@opubco.com Comments 9
Published: November 6, 2009

Oklahoma punter Tress Way had a tipped punt travel 42 yards against Kansas State, but coach Bob Stoops says Oklahoma’s punt formation, which features a closing gate of three blockers in the backfield, won’t change any time soon.

"You’re not quite as passive up front. It allows your front guys to get out in coverage a little quicker,” he said. "It just gives you more guys to get downfield sooner.”

CLAPP’S CLUB

Fullback Matt Clapp has just one touch on the year — a one-yard carry in the season opener — in part because of a broken hand that’s required him to wear a bulky cast during games since his injury on Oct. 7.

Stoops said Clapp’s cast should come off "pretty soon,” but that hasn’t stopped the offense from trying to get him the ball at least once.

"We threw one to Matt with that club on his hand and it bounced off,” Stoops said, referencing a play that came against Baylor. "I wasn’t too pleased about that.”

CATCHING UP

For one of the first times all season, Oklahoma’s receivers’ performance on Saturday drew few complaints, mostly because of their slowly dwindling drop count.

"The first time you’re out there as a player, sometimes you can’t believe how fast everything’s going. And then you look on tape and you realize, ‘Geez, I’m going as fast as everybody,’” Stoops said. "It takes a little while for some guys to calm down and realize that. And then everything slows down.”

Dejuan Miller led the Sooners with nine catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Broyles added eight receptions for 91 yards and Adron Tennell caught four passes for 62 yards.

"I’m hopeful that it’ll progress even further,” Stoops said.

QUOTABLE

Stoops, on Kansas State returner Brandon Banks’ kick return for a touchdown:

"I knew as soon as he hit the seam. I said, ‘Well, that’s over.’”

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Jo is a pussy!

Joe, Oklahoma City - Nov 6, 2009 at 11:11 pm

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Things must be slow when the DO prints punt formation articles. It's not the alignment, it's
the alignee's. Same guys that allow returns for TD's. Another Stoops trademark.

jo, edmond - Nov 6, 2009 at 6:11 pm

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About the punt formation. Maybe I can help out the reason behind the formation. If you played football or watched enough of it on TV you may have heard coaches or commentators say that to block a punt you pick a spot out in front of the punter, the spot where the ball will be when it leaves his foot. That way you raim is on the ball and not the punter. In punting formation, that is all you really have to defend, that spot-place where the ball will be leaving his foot. Thal allows the players on the fron line to release sooner and get downfield to tackle. If youhave looked at the stats, OU's punt coverage has been excellent since adding this new formation. I am like some of you who commented, in that I have thought several punts had come close to being blocked, even causing me to say so as the play unfolds. Some of that is the punters fault, he has to get a rythm down to get the ball out sooner. Then again, by having three or four players that far in the backfield when the ball is puntd, means fewer blockers for the return attempt. I agree its is nerve racking, but it has been working well.

Richard, Visalia - Nov 6, 2009 at 1:37 pm

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Jerry, how do you know I'm not Bob in disguise venting on this board? I may not like the punt formation but don't want to offend the special teams coach so I secretly bring the public into it by posting online thereby softening the blow. As the real Bob, I also didn't like Kevin Wilson talking about how great the offensive line was before the season. I accidently let that slip a couple of days ago in the press conference but you heard it here first! Moving him away from the I formation with that 'excellent' line has taken a lot of posting but it seems to be having some effect and much better than demoting him as he means well, a special guy. I appreciate you keeping my secret identity secret as I have some other 'issues' with the team that need to be resolved outside of outright firing of my friends. Ok, Bob (my nom de plume)

Bob, Edmond - Nov 6, 2009 at 11:14 am

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Come on DOK...this is just recyled stuff. Can we get some thing new?

ken, Houston - Nov 6, 2009 at 10:54 am

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I have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff, but I too am confused by this punt formation that seems to be so popular. I have been saying all year that I wish we would change it. I absolutely hate it. It leaves us extremely vulnerable to blocked punts. I swear it looks like its going to be blocked every single time. Why would you let the defense get so close ??

Eric, Yukon - Nov 6, 2009 at 10:07 am

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That's why the other Bob is the coach, and you're not!

Jerry, Atlanta - Nov 6, 2009 at 9:33 am

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Stoops is right, that kid hit that seam, and it was goodbye! He almost had 2 of them too if not for Moreland's tackle.

Patrick, Fayetteville - Nov 6, 2009 at 8:54 am

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I am not a punt formations expert, but this one puzzles the begeezus out of me, especially when you have a punter with such a long step before he punts. This formation will get us a blocked punt for touchdown before the season is over.

Bob, Edmond - Nov 6, 2009 at 8:04 am

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