By John Shinn
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
