Sooner defense delivers message of domination Gerald McCoy: 'We wanted to pound them'
By Jake Trotter
Published: November 23, 2008
NORMAN — Late in the first quarter, Texas Tech had possession at the Sooner 36-yard line, down only 7-0.
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But that's when defensive tackle Adrian Taylor sliced through Tech's offensive line to sack quarterback Graham Harrell for a 12-yard loss.
On the next play, Gerald McCoy sacked Harrell again.
Fourth-and-29.
Statement delivered.
Oklahoma's defense silenced its critics Saturday night, dismantling the nation's third-best scoring offense in a 65-21 rout.
“We wanted to pound them,” McCoy said. “We wanted to come out and set the tone early.
“I think we sent a message to whoever was watching. We're for real.”
The Sooners were dominant in every facet of the game, from beginning to end.
Tech, the nation's No. 1 third-down offense, managed to convert just one of 13 third-down attempts.
Harrell, who had been sacked five times all season, was sacked four times by the Sooners and repeatedly flushed out of the pocket or knocked down after the throw because of pressure.
“The defense was really outstanding,” coach Bob Stoops said. “To hold them down like we did, it was excellent.”
OU also continued its opportunistic ways with turnovers.
Travis Lewis intercepted Harrell and returned the ball 47 yards to the Tech 1 to set up a Sooner score.
Later, Keenan Clayton recovered a fumble and brought it back 53 yards, resulting in another short touchdown for the offense.
Said Lewis, “I think we were hungry. They've been digging on our defense, saying it was the weakness of the team. We watch TV, it was all over ESPN. It got under our skin. We played with a chip on our shoulder.”
Said Clayton, “After the way we started practice Monday, I knew we were going to have a great game.”
The defensive pressure was impressive, but what finally made the Sooner defense dominant was the elimination of allowing big plays, which has plagued OU throughout the Big 12 season.
The Red Raiders didn't have a run go for more than 13 yards all game.
And Harrell didn't complete a pass for more than 15 yards until after the Sooners led 52-7 in the third quarter.
“Big plays, that's what's been killing us. We knew if we stopped giving up big plays we would be a top defense,” cornerback Dominique Franks said. “Tonight, we proved Oklahoma can play defense the way it can play offense.”
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Great game last night. Why doesn't the defense play like that most of the time? They show up big a couple times a year. That's what is so frustrating. Hope they can play this well in Stillwater or this win will mean very little.
Brian, Okemah, well said! Take em good or bad or get the hell out of here and go root for someone else.
Barton, Idabell, why don't you go root for Clemson since you are so worried about them. The Sooner Nation doesn't need fairweather punks like you.
One down, three to go. Sooners all the way!
Too bad we can't travel to Stoolwater with 80,000 Sooner fans. The defense played lights out from the very first snap. They kept it up for 4 compete quarters. No prevent. The D acted just like the offense and both sides played honest to goodness smash mouth football. Those couple of option plays were cool as well.
Well, just because you fair whether fans come back on here and give credit where credit is due, and you don't like our DC. Doesn't give you a bye. If you don't like it, put on the orange, black and white and get lost. We don't need ya! Brent V. has done a really good job. He can tell them where to be and when to get there but he can't make the plays for them on game day. He has done a great job of bringing Austin Box along and I'm sure he has had some help from Ryan R. And for you ppl who don't understand what I'm saying, I'll make it simple stupid! SUPPORT THEM, OR CHANGE COLORS, GET LOST, SEE YA!!! BOOMER SOONER!!!
I am not a big Venables fan but hey folks let's face it, he dialed up a masterpiece last night. Great Job Sooners! The Raiders didn't know what hit em.
I for one have been critical of the defense but I will always give them credit when credit is due. Last night they played fabulous! Like Travis Lewis said, they played with that chip on their shoulder. Seems like when that get that attitude that is when they play their best ball (think Big XII championship game last year). It was great to see the DB's locking down the coverage, jumping routes and just being aggressive! D-Line played awesome as well. Austin Box keeps getting better as well. Let's just bring the same passion, heart and intensity to Stillwater next week and put it to em'. Great job defense!
What can I say. Nothing to add to these posts other than "what a complete beat down of a very good TT team". Not what I expected but it really does show just how much talent this OU team has when it is focused and plays with an attitude! Great job Stoops.
OU's defensive game plan was both simple and executed nearly to perfection. You aren't going to throw a shut-out at TECH, but in this age of high octane spread offense, it was pretty close to it. The offense is so balanced and fluid that having the D come through like that makes a team hard to beat, indeed. The team has really grown up over the last several weeks; remember, it's a young squad. Last night's performance has to rank with the best. One caveat: Keeping the team on that emotional "high" is a game plan in and of itself. It's not easily done. The pros have trouble with it. The good news is that there's no time lapse between the next 2 (?!!) games and that should help the guys keep their focus. With the stakes as high as they are now, you can be sure that the coaches are going to hammer home the message that what happened last night means nothing if you fall flat next week. The Aggies will be ready in Stillwater. I kinda think that we'll show up, too. GO BIG RED!!
It was the best game since last year versus Missouri - both great games. OU just needs a little adversity to get them pumped up I guess? Great dominating game, now lets see 3 more!
Lawerence, Oklahoma City - Nov 23, 2008 at 4:43 am
i still hope venebles goes to clemson or wherever........we still need a new dc.....the players were pumped up for this game....it's brents job to have them pumped up for every game all season....anyways......BOOMER SOONER
EXCELLENT points Danney. This defense completely dominated a top 3 offense, and didn't even have 2 top stars playing.
I still say that if Ryan didn't get hurt in the Texas game, we don't lose. That hurt is more mentally and emotionally, than anything else.
I just wish Brent could follow his naysayers to their jobs and critique them. They will stay in their little corners now until OU gives up a lot of points again. They're pathetic and immaterial.
Any Veneable Haters now? "Where is Mike Stoops? We want Mike Back! I hope to God Veneables gets the Clemson job so we can get some new blood in!" SHUT UP FOOLS! Veneables new name is Heisman Killer. Last year he killed Daniel, this year Harrell and Crabtree. No Ryan Reynolds, Austin English or Alan davis and they only get 4 sacks and two turnovers! You nah sayers should give brent your first born child to show gratitude and beg for forgiveness for being such hater
OU merits mention in discussion of college... 11/23/2008 NORMAN — The Sooners started jumping early. Jumping, jumping, jumping, like the sidelines were spring loaded. Jumping like kids turned loose in a mattress...
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