As Oklahoma players stretched before Monday's practice, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy sensed something was wrong. No one had a spring in their step. It felt like he and his teammates were in mourning instead of getting ready to practice. The loss to BYU was still hanging around like a dark cloud that wouldn't go away.
McCoy didn't like it.
"Everyone was walking around here like we'd never lost a game before," he said. "People were acting like we can't lose a game around here. I was like 'Look, why is everyone down? People lose games. It happens. We went out there and played hard, but we didn't play smart enough and we got beat. So what? We lost. You pouting and being down about it isn't going to fix it. You have to man up. Let's get things fixed this week and come out and play better next week. Let's win out and see what happens. You have to man up and move on.'"
Coaches hope every team has a leader capable of inspiring teammates and one who's willing to say the things only a fellow teammate can say. McCoy carries as much if not more weight in the Sooners locker room as any player. But it was fitting that rallying cry came from the defensive tackle.
The loss of quarterback Sam Bradford for at least the next two games and tight end Jermaine Gresham for the season means that the Sooners have instantly become a much more defensive team.
It's the side of the ball where the overwhelming majority of its established playmakers reside. It's also the side that seems to have an abundance of leaders to turn to in times of crisis.
"We have guys staying in there and motivating guys and keeping them going," defensive end Auston English said. "Gerald was really being a vocal presence in practice to really shake the cobwebs out and get guys going. Everyone caught on with that."
It could easily be that way the rest of the season. The injuries that hit the Sooners early in the season mean OU will be a much more defensive team in the short run and perhaps all season. And based on what went on against BYU, it's hard to imagine the Sooners are simply going to throw 50 points on a scoreboard on a consistent basis.
Coaches talked about the penalties, fumbles and dropped passes that kept OU grounded in the season opener. They all did. But even before Bradford was injured OU just didn't seem to have the same firepower it did last season.
OU coach Bob Stoops said he readily admits he expected his defense to be better this season and expects it to be even better in the current situation. But the defense can only do so much.
"They need help. We can't squander offensive opportunities," he said. "If you are turning the ball over and giving away points, there's not much the defense can do about that. We expect our defense to play well but we need the offense to do its part as well."
It didn't against BYU, but it will try to right the ship at 6 p.m. Saturday when OU hosts Idaho State at Owen Field. The Sooners will try to rebuild the offensive identity Saturday. It's up to the defense to give up the time it needs.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
McCoy takes it upon himself to put spring in teammates' step
- OU Sports
-
-
It’s a recipe for success
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become ...
-
Tigers deny Sooners’ Big 12 title hopes
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark....
-
Sooners make winning look easy
As Oklahoma’s players locked arms around the pitching circle, coming together for what passed as a celebration following Saturday’s 7-1 NCAA Super Regional-clinching victory over Arizona, three gloves remained near second base....
-
There are no easy outs in the lineup
Looking for a gameplan to stop Oklahoma? Well, one may or may not be available, but walking two of the first three Sooners you face certainly isn’t part of it. Just ask Arizona’s Kenzie Fowler....
-
Sooners will play for Big 12 championship
OKLAHOMA CITY, — It’s been 16 years since Oklahoma won the Big 12 tournament. It’s closer now than its ever been to ending the streak. The Sooners rolled through Baylor, 7-2, on Saturday at Bricktown Ballpark to advance to the tournament’s ...
-
Sooners send five more to nationals
AUSTIN, Texas — Oklahoma track and field teams had five more individuals qualify for the NCAA Championship on Saturday evening at the NCAA West Preliminary. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team also advanced to the national semifinals....
-
OU sophomore Jao-Javanil wins NCAA golf title
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javanil made Oklahoma golf history Friday, becoming the first Sooner, man or woman, to win an individual NCAA national championship....
-
Pitching staff is exactly where Golloway wants it to be
When the Big 12 tournament began, Oklahoma felt like it had the pitching staff to make a deep run. Dillon Overton, Jordan John, Jonathan Gray and Damien Magnifico gave them four quality starters and a closer — Steven Okert — capable of ...
-
Sooners shut out Wildcats, need one more win for WCWS entry
Oklahoma might have scored more runs, not committed an error and starting pitcher Keilani Ricketts could have been just a little more efficient along the way....
-
Sooners send 4 more to NCAAs
AUSTIN, Texas – Oklahoma’s track and field teams added four individuals to the list of Sooners advancing to the NCAA championship Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary. In addition to the four new qualifiers, Brittany Borman advanced to the ...
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
It’s a recipe for success
