OU's Landry Jones getting better with experience
BY JAKE TROTTER
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16
Published: November 1, 2009
NORMAN — Staring down first-and-45 and a charging Kansas State, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones never lost his cool.
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With his downfield receivers covered, Jones checked down to DeMarco Murray out of the backfield for 18 yards. Then, he found Ryan Broyles along the other sideline for a 25-yard gain to get the first down.
Five plays later, Jones connected with Murray again for a touchdown.
When it mattered most during the Sooners' 42-30 victory Saturday night, OU's freshman quarterback was at his best.
"Landry is growing each week," Murray said. "He knows the job is his now and he's doing great with it."
In the fourth quarter, Jones was better than great.
He was perfect.
After K-State cut OU's lead to 28-23, Jones led the Sooners on back-to-back, fourth-quarter touchdown drives to put the game away.
On those two drives, Jones completed all 14 of his pass attempts for 171 yards to thwart the Wildcats' second-half rally.
"I didn't realize he did that," coach Bob Stoops said. "The young guy has done an awesome job. He's very poised, trusts his guys around him.
"He'll get better too. But in those drives he was sharp."
Jones was sharp to begin the game, too, in his second consecutive start replacing Sam Bradford, who earlier this week had season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder.
With Jones directing a no-huddle, quick-strike attack reminiscent of Bradford and the 2008 Sooner offense, OU jumped to an early three touchdown lead.
But the fourth quarter showed why earlier this week Bradford said Jones has the upside to be the next great Sooner quarterback.
After a holding penalty negated a 35-yard Jones touchdown pass, and a Broyles celebration penalty backed the Sooners up even farther, OU faced first-and-45.
But instead of forcing the ball downfield and risking an interception, Jones wisely took what the defense allowed him.
"Both those throws he made were check-down throws," said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. "The nice thing was Landry didn't force it. ... and eventually we were able to punch it in."
After K-State's Brandon Banks returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, Jones maintained his cool.
He connected on 6 of 6 passes to three different receivers, including a clutch third-and-10 completion to Adron Tennell just past the first-down marker, and a 13-yard strike to Broyles inside the K-State 5-yard line to set up the game-clinching touchdown.
"Those were two big drives, to come out there and answer right back," Jones said.
"I'm seeing stuff easier on the field and seeing the coverages better.
"Every game you just have to keep getting better. And I think I'm getting better."
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Colt McCoy-- 1977 passing yards, 15 TD passes, 8 interceptions, 1 rushing TD
Zac Robinson-- 1690 passing yards, 13 TD passes, 7 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs
Landry Jones-- 1657 passing yards, 17 TD passes, 6 interceptions, no rushing TDS Note: Landry did not play the first half of the BYU game or in the Baylor game.
Given the makeshift nature of OU's offensive line and having a very young corps of receivers--I think Landry has done an outstanding job. The drive tonight where OU overcame the called back TD by Broyles and the subsequent 1st and 45 were clutch at a game deciding juncture. At least to me--I see his comfort level and confidence growing every week. This OU fan feels great about the QB position at OU---present and future.
El Prez, Deer Creek