Sooners' defense shows domination
Coaches will meet today about QBs
Sooners' defense shows domination

By Jake Trotter

Published: August 12, 2007

NORMAN — Out of the shotgun, quarterback Keith Nichol took one step back, then threw the ball so hard into Manuel Johnson's chest his shoulder pads popped.

For the first time, the crowd of 7,000 at Owen Field on Saturday had a chance to cheer for someone other than the punters.

In Oklahoma's first scrimmage of the fall the defense dominated, shutting out the offense on the first 10 possessions, until Nichol's 3-yard touchdown strike to Johnson.

"I thought overall, defensively, we were really solid,” coach Bob Stoops said. "The offense is at a major disadvantage in that the defensive guys are so familiar with what we're doing.

"And (the defense is) awfully good, too.”

In all, the offense — which rotated quarterbacks Sam Bradford, Nichol and Joey Halzle on every series — managed just three touchdowns on 19 possessions.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the coaches would meet today to decide if they can trim the quarterback competition to at least two based on the first week of practice and the scrimmage.

"The sooner we can settle (the better), whether it's one or two,” Wilson said. "That'll be topic 101.”

Each of the quarterbacks led the offense on a touchdown drive, although Bradford's came from a 53-yard touchdown run by Jacob Gutierrez.

Bradford completed 11 of 18 passes for 83 yards, throwing the game's only interception to Marcus Walker.

Nichol went 8-of-16 passing for 51 yards and a touchdown, and showed the most mobility of the three, scrambling for a couple of first downs.

Halzle completed 12 of 21 passes for 85 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown lob to receiver Malcolm Kelly in the corner of the end zone.

"I thought (the quarterbacks) did a really nice job managing the game,” Stoops said. "I didn't see any of them making forced decisions or not being able to make the throws we need them to make.”

Until Nichol's touchdown pass, though, the crowd remained so reserved that Stoops walked over to the sideline to encourage the crowd to cheer for the defense, which had just forced another fourth down.

"I think we played pretty good as a unit,” said middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, who had four tackles and recovered a fumble. "We have all the athletic ability and we got it mentally, so we're just ready to go.”

Even without cornerback Reggie Smith — the Big 12 preseason Defensive Player of the Year who didn't play because of a strained hip flexor — the defense smothered the offense for the most part, allowing fewer than 18 yards a possession.

"I thought guys were flying around,” said defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "I liked some of the hitting.

"You could hear pads snapping, and that's what you want to see.”

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