Oklahoma won’t fight a battle it can’t win. That was the stance Sooner coach Bob Stoops took Sunday on three questionable calls in the final minute of OU’s 23-21 loss at Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders won the game on Taurean Henderson’s 2-yard dive on the final play. A side official ruled Henderson reached the ball across the goalline before he was down. Video replays did not provide a definitive answer and the touchdown was upheld.
The other plays on the final drive were a a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cody Hodges to Joel Filani that was ruled incomplete after review, and a fourth-and-3 pass from Hodges to Danny Amendola on which the spot at the Oklahoma 23 was reviewed and upheld. The reception gave the Red Raiders a first down by less than an inch.
Replays appeared to indicate the ball should have been spotted closer to the 24.
“There are several plays. To me, the bigger issue is the fourth-down play,” Stoops said. “Obviously, I see them differently. The spot on the fourth-down play, the touchdown, that’s part of the game. Spots are judgments on what (the officials) see. I’m not going to sit here and whine about or say that’s the reason we lost. They got those calls and we didn’t. They made enough plays and we didn’t.”
There’s no other stance the Sooners can take. Nothing will change the outcome.
Stoops said a report will be sent to the Big 12 Conference office, but that is normal after every game.
His only gripe was wanting to see the replay system improve, including adding more camera angles to review plays. There was no replay available from the side of the field where the official made the touchdown call.
“I understand there are expenses involved to get in the right position to view what has occurred, and the people in the position to make the calls are able to do so in all situations,” Stoops said. “I just think this our first year with it and I’m realistic. I believe we will continue to get better in those areas the more we do it.”
OU will focus on what remains of the season. Next up is Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Owen Field. It is the season finale for the Cowboys and the Sooners’ bowl fate still hinges on the outcome.
OU could still secure a berth in the Holiday Bowl with a victory. Stoops believes his team is focused on that, not the disapointment of the loss to Texas Tech.
“Our guys were more angry in the locker room than feeling bad for themselves,” he said. “They know they competed well and everything doesn’t always go your way. Regardless of circumstances, they fought hard and showed a lot of character and we know we can be better.
“They’ll have a good attitude about it. We understand it’s a big game and we’ll be excited for it.”
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
OU must deal
- 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
