By John Shinn
Oklahoma’s believes it regained some of its swagger in last week’s 31-15 victory over Tulsa. It wasn’t pretty, but the Sooners were eventually able to run very well in the second half.
But the Sooner offense won’t wake hibernation and enter mediocrity until they prove they can effectively throw the ball. Adrian Peterson was enough to get past the Golden Hurricane.
The forward pass must return to OU’s playbook to have any chance of topping UCLA at the Rose Bowl Saturday.
It’s shocking how far the Sooners’ passing game has tumbled. What was once a staple of the Sooners’ offense was anemic against TCU and nearly vanished against Tulsa. This season’s totals have amounted to just 170 yards, no touchdown passes and three interceptions.
Through two games last season, the Sooners threw for 545 yards with six touchdowns against one interception.
OU coach Bob Stoops has been adamant that passing game deficiencies can’t be fixed with one specific area. The quarterbacks, the line and the receivers have all shouldered a share of the blame.
“If you go through two games, it’s been each of those at different times,” Stoops said. “We have to put it all together and be consistent together. I want to see it consistent.”
After the Tulsa victory, he said changes had to be made in the Sooners’ approach. What worked for Jason White the last two seasons hasn’t carried over.
Offensive coordinator Chuck Long doesn’t believe OU’s offense requires a complete overhaul. It’s a matter of finding out what freshman quarterback Rhett Bomar’s strengths are and gearing a passing game around them.
“We have to see what Rhett’s real comfortable with,” Long said. “I have a good idea what Rhett’s comfortable with and we have to keep working those schemes.”
Neither Stoops nor Long were specific about what alterations they’ve been making. They don’t want to give anything away.
The offense Bomar ran to record-breaking numbers in high school ran out of the shotgun. He was mostly under center against Tulsa and fumbled three times, twice in the center-quarterback exchange. That could be one of the changes the Sooners unveil Saturday. But that change could take away some of Peterson’s ability to hit holes with a full head of steam. Thus far, that’s the only thing in the Sooner offense that’s worked.
Bomar isn’t concerned about changing the offense. No matter what direction the passing attack goes, he feels he can thrive.
“Whatever I have to throw I am fine with,” he said. “I feel I can make all the throws, I just have to go out there and do it.”
He’ll have to. Until the Sooners’ passing game gets on track, moving the ball is going to be a mighty chore.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
