OU tight end is 'Big-game Jermaine Gresham'
Gresham has become the go-to guy when a big play is needed in a big game
JAKE TROTTER
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62
Published: August 13, 2009
NORMAN — Before the Sooners could win their third consecutive Big 12 Championship in 2008, they had to win the first in 2006.
Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham is known for stepping up in big games and clutch situations. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Ahead by only a score over
Nebraska and facing third-and-long from its own 1, Oklahoma turned to a seldom-used, freshman tight end.
Turned out, that player would develop a penchant for shining in similar moments.
Jermaine Gresham hauled in a 35-yard grab along the sideline to not only convert the first down, but ignite OU’s game-clinching scoring drive.
Ever since, Gresham has been Big-Game Jermaine, saving his best games for the biggest stages.
"I remember that play against Nebraska,” said defensive tackle
Gerald McCoy. "Jermaine is the man. You can always depend on Jermaine to make that big play.
"You know what they say, big-time players make big-time plays in big games. He’s just that guy.”
Last season in big games against
Cincinnati,
Texas,
Texas Tech, Oklahoma State,
Missouri and
Florida, Gresham averaged seven catches for 97 yards and totaled eight touchdowns.
In OU’s eight other games, Gresham averaged three catches, 46 yards and scored six touchdowns.
"I think really, it’s my mentality of getting it done,” said Gresham, trying to explain his propensity for playing his best in the biggest games. "How I approach things.”
Gresham has been a Longhorn killer, totaling three touchdown catches over the last two seasons.
But he was especially big down the stretch, when OU closed the year against No. 2 Texas Tech, No. 12 Oklahoma State, No. 20 Missouri and then No. 2 Florida in the
BCS National Championship.
In a 24-14 loss to the Gators, while the rest of the Sooner offense struggled, Gresham coolly operated underneath the Florida defense as quarterback
Sam Bradford’s go-to guy. Gresham scored both of OU’s touchdowns.
From the beginning of OU’s 62-21 rout of Missouri in the Big 12 Championship, Gresham was unstoppable. He had six grabs for 59 yards in the first two quarters as OU jumped to a 38-7 halftime lead.
In a 65-21 victory over the Red Raiders, Gresham set the tone early.
He reeled in a pass across the middle of the field, stiff-armed a Tech defender, then galloped 42 yards down the sideline to set up another touchdown.
"He’s a big monster,” coach
Bob Stoops said. "He’s talented, he’s competitive, he’s got great hands, he’s a great athlete.
"The size, it’s just not natural to have a guy that big and strong to move and be as graceful as he is.”
Gresham’s top performance of 2008, however, came in a shootout at Oklahoma State. He took over the game in the second quarter, which allowed the Sooners to keep pace early with OSU’s offense. Then in the third quarter, his 73-yard deflected touchdown catch put OU ahead by double-digits and returned control of the game to the Sooners.
"Last year’s
OSU game, we needed some big plays,” McCoy said. "He just did his thing. He showed up big in the Florida game. You can always depend on him to do his thing in games like that.
"That’s why I’m glad he’s still here.”
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#8 or bust.....BOOMER!
BTW, OU didn't HAVE to run a fake. They saw an opportunity (probably on film) and were waiting for the righ time to run it. Jermaine completely missed the block or else the play certainly goes for a first down (since we were only inches short) and may have gone for a TD. Instead, Texass went right down and scored and we never recovered. I was there, I saw the change in attitude of our players after that.
Gresham should have gone pro. I hope he doesn't pickup an injury that affects his payday.
I guess teamless is referring to the weak azz Washington Huskies as well. What a pathetic program.
Boomer Sooner Baby!!
I like articles that give Gresham the attention he deserves. But I think this sentence should emphasise the success Gresham has had against the Longhorns, rather than labeling him a "Longhorn killer." If memory serves me (painful though the memory is), it has not been the Longhorns over the past few seasons left on the field without a heartbeat. This year, however, will be different.