It was no secret Oklahoma would need time for quarterback Rhett Bomar to mature. Few first-year starters, not to mention redshirt freshman, make easy transitions into the starting lineup.
But Bomar’s ability to ride out early growing pains is one of the biggest reasons the Sooners bring a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s contest against Texas A&M.;
“Everything he does, he’s gotten better,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s improved. I see it in practice — his reads, his timing, getting the ball out. He’s just more and more familiar with his receivers and the timing of things and defensive recognition. I think he’s progressing in a great way.”
His numbers remain a long way away from what Jason White managed the last two seasons. Bomar has completed 51.7 percent of his passes (105-of-203) and has averaged 145.9 yards a game through the air. Both averages rank near the bottom among Big 12 quarterbacks.
But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Tight end Joe Jon Finley has caught two of Bomar’s four touchdown passes. He said the confidence level of the entire offense has grown over the last three games. And Bomar’s emergence has been a big part of the process.
“He’s a lot more calm out there and seems to be a lot more comfortable with everything that’s going on,” Finley said.
Everything from experience to mechanics to protection has played into his rising comfort.
“The game has really slowed down for me and I feel real comfortable in our offense,” Bomar said. “I’m not throwing off my back foot and short-hopping balls like I was earlier in the year. I am not just trying to rely on just my arm. I’m getting my body into it now. I’m getting more comfortable in the pocket and the things around me.”
Offensive coordinator Chuck Long said every gameplan starts with figuring out how to protect the quarterback. That part of OU’s offense has gotten better.
The Sooners have given up 19 sacks this season, yet only four in the last three games.
“I have more confidence in my offensive line blocking for me, so I’m stepping into my throws. When I do that I throw the ball pretty good … and make the plays like I should.”
The game plans are also getting bigger now that Bomar and the rest of the offense has proved itself able to handle more.
“They’re starting to recall plays more in case we have to work something on the sideline,” Long said. “They’re recalling those now and that’s a sign of growth.”
Wide receiver Travis Wilson injured an ankle Oct. 8 against Texas and did not completely return to the lineup until the Sooners’ Oct. 29 victory over Nebraska.
He spent two games watching from the sidelines. He noticed the difference when he returned.
It showed on OU’s final scoring drive against the Huskers when Bomar converted a needed third-and-10 to Wilson for 21 yards.
“Week in and week out, we see the confidence he has in running the offense, in and out of the huddle, on and off the field,” Wilson said. “He takes a pounding almost every week, but he’s such a competitor and he’s earning more and more people’s respect. I think he’s starting to become a great player.”
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Related Photos
-
Kevin Ellis
Discussion
Maturing presence
Bomar has turned his season around
- OU Sports
-
-
Sooners did not show up to play
Texas had something to play for. So there’s that. If the Longhorns are to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, this was just the kind of game they absolutely had to win....
-
With W.V. set free by Big East, Big 12 schedule’s out and it’s backloaded for Sooners
With West Virginia finally receiving its release from the Big East Conference on Tuesday, the Big 12 Conference was finally able to release its conference football schedule for the 2012 season....
-
Red River rut
The rut Oklahoma has been trying to escape for the last two weeks continued to grow deeper with a 69-58 loss to Texas Tuesday night at Lloyd Noble Center....
-
OU gearing up for Texas’ Brown
If Oklahoma guard Steven Pledger had his way, tonight’s meeting with Texas will come down to two players: himself and Longhorn guard J’Covan Brown....
-
Sooners will have a dramatically new look up and down the order, on the mound
The clubhouse at L. Dale Mitchell Park hasn’t changed over the last year. Just about everything else has since the 2011 baseball season ended. The locker stalls have 20 new nameplates. The coaches’ locker room has two new ones as well. ...
-
Despite hard fight, UConn wins big
By its own standards, the Connecticut team that took the floor Monday night at Lloyd Noble Center was not in the same class as its previous incarnations. But a down year for the seven-time national champions is still better than just ...
-
Believe it or not, OU women are progressing
Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma appeared plenty willing to embarrass Oklahoma for a third time in seven games....
-
OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech
As Oklahoma’s players headed toward the exit at United Spirit Arena on Saturday night, most had dazed looks on their faces. The 65-47 loss to Texas Tech was something they didn’t see coming....
-
Husky challenge
No time might seem like a good time to face Connecticut. The Huskies are always terrific and this season will enter Lloyd Noble Center likely ranked No. 2 following Notre Dame’s Sunday loss to West Virginia....
-
Sooners put finishing touches on perfect opener
Oklahoma capped off a perfect opening weekend of softball on Sunday with an 11-1 victory over Kent State. The Sooners were led by another strong outing from pitcher Keilani Rickets and an offensive explosion by Allee Allen....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Sooners did not show up to play
