Sooners' season depends on their play away from home

 
BY JAKE TROTTER | Modified: September 19, 2010 at 9:38 pm | Published: September 19, 2010    Comment on this article Leave a comment

photo - Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray (7) takes the ball up the middle through Air Force's Brady Amack (41), Zach Payne (51) and Rick Ricketts (90) during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Air Force Falcons at the Gaylord Family - Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray (7) takes the ball up the middle through Air Force's Brady Amack (41), Zach Payne (51) and Rick Ricketts (90) during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Air Force Falcons at the Gaylord Family - Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Multimedia

Videoview all videos

Highlights: OU-Air Force thumbnail

Highlights: OU-Air Force

Sep 19The Sooners give up 351 yards rushing and hang on to beat...

OU vs. Air Force: Analyzing the Sooners' 27-24 win thumbnail

OU vs. Air Force: Analyzing the Sooners' 27-24 win

Sep 18Jake Trotter and Berry Tramel break down the Air Force...

NewsOK Related Articles


Take five

Looking at the Sooners' five big games away from Norman:

Sept. 25 vs. Cincinnati (Paul Brown Stadium): The Sooners' first test comes this weekend against the Bearcats.

Oct. 2 vs. Texas (Cotton Bowl): The seventh-ranked Longhorns are coming off a big victory at Texas Tech.

Oct. 23 at Missouri: The Tigers struggled Saturday vs. San Diego State, but moved to 3-0.

Nov. 6 at Texas A&M: Like Mizzou, Texas A&M was sluggish in a home win, but the Aggies still boast a dangerous offense.

Nov. 27 at Oklahoma State: Only Oregon has scored more points or gained more yards than the Cowboys.

"We have some remaining conference games that are going to be great challenges on the road," Wilson said. "If we're going to have the year we hope to have, we're going to have to be pretty tough and pretty strong and pretty focused in those environments."

The Sooners weren't always tough, strong and focused in road environments last season.

Especially the offense.

Despite injuries to Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham and others, the Sooner offense still averaged 46 points a game on Owen Field last season.

Away from home, just 18 points, which includes OU's 31-point effort in the Sun Bowl win.

"We weren't particularly strong last year, and most teams aren't on the road," Wilson said. "But to be a great team, we have to be a team that plays well on the road and relishes that environment."

Now as a sophomore, will quarterback Landry Jones relish playing in a road environment?

And Cam Kenney and Kenny Stills?

And Donald Stephenson and Stephen Good?

OU's season hinges on it.

Page 2 of 2



If you prefer your thoughts to appear in The Oklahoman's Opinion section, we encourage you to submit a letter to the editor.

Ads by Yahoo!

New Rule in VIRGINIA:
(APR 2013): If You Pay For Car Insurance You Must Read This Immediately
www.ConsumerFinanceDaily.com
Mortgage Rates Hit 2.50%
White House Program Cuts Up to $1k off Monthly Payments! (2.90% APR)
www.SeeRefinanceRates.com

Sports Photo Galleriesview all