Redemption on the road starts with leadership from Bradford
Redemption on the road starts with leadership from Bradford

By Jake Trotter Comments 0
Published: September 13, 2008

NORMAN — In Oklahoma's three true road games last year, the Sooners were at their worst.

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A loss in Boulder.

A close call in Ames.

A loss in Lubbock.

The road schedule amplifies in difficulty this season, beginning today in Washington.

Better road play is required if this team plans on meeting lofty expectations.

That starts with quarterback Sam Bradford.

"That's something we talked about all summer,” Bradford said. "It's been a major emphasis for us.”

Bradford proved to be spectacular as a redshirt freshman, leading the nation in passing efficiency.

But in road games at Colorado and Iowa State, he completed just 51 percent of his passes and tossed three interceptions to only one touchdown.

In all other games, Bradford connected on 72 percent of his throws and threw 35 touchdowns to just five interceptions.

"Last year it was Sam's first year playing, so going on the road you didn't know how he was going to react to it,” receiver Manny Johnson said. "But now he has a year under his belt. He's calm and confident.”

Bradford is no longer a freshman. He's a second-year starter and was voted captain before the season.

The Sooners need him to play better away from Norman. But they also need him to keep the team together and focused when adversity shows itself.

"Whether we're in the huddle or not, there's a confidence, a look that we need from Sam for us to feel like we can be successful,” said quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, who quarterbacked the 2000 Sooners to three road wins decided by 10 points or less. "When you're playing a quality opponent on the road, you're going to have ups and downs.

"It's how you handle those ups and downs that gives you an opportunity to win on the road.”

Said Johnson, "I'm sure it will come to a point when he'll take control, and he'll be like, ‘OK, let's go down and score on this drive.' Sam doesn't need to put the whole thing on his shoulders. But when he makes a play on the road, that's going to help everybody.”