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
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