It was only Middle Tennessee, which coming into Owen Field had lost at Maryland and beaten Florida International by a point and Tennessee Tech by 44, striking fear into nobody along the way.
And then again, it’s hard to allow any less than no points as Oklahoma did in Saturday night’s 59-0 shutout of the Blue Raiders, or to allow less than 100 yards of total offense, as the Sooners managed for the first time since holding Kansas to 97 last season.
Coming out of Eugene, Ore., where the Sooners allowed 501 yards to the Ducks, it was nothing less than fantastic improvement.
After allowing 6.7 yards per snap at Oregon, 5.5 a week earlier to Washington and 5.3 opening night against Alabama-Birmingham, the Sooners allowed Middle Tennessee just 3.3.
Sooner coach Bob Stoops was pleased, but not too pointed.
“It’s pleasing that we were on the same page throughout the game,” he said. “There wasn’t any individual group that broke down at any given time.”
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables spoke more plainly.
“Guys played on the edge with more focus and with a determination,” he said. “Maybe they’re tired of not playing like we can play, or playing like crap. I think there was more of a sense of purpose out there with every player across the board.”
The Blue Raiders gained just 22 yards on 28 carries and threw for just 73, completing only 6-of-20 passes. Middle Tennessee did not make a first down in the first quarter and finished with only seven.
The Blue Raiders converted just 1-of-11 third-down opportunities.
“We just tried to prepare a little better this week,” Sooner defensive end Larry Birdine said. “We knew if we jumped on them with intensity early, then we could pretty much work our defense. Everybody just fit right into that. It’s the fourth game and you expect people to play defense right.
After another shakeup in the secondary, Reggie Smith moved from cornerback to strong safety, alongside free safety Darien Williams, while Lendy Holmes and Marcus Walker started at the corners.
It was only Middle Tennessee, but gone were the busts of previous games.
“The comfort level is so much greater when (Smith) is out there (at strong safety),” said co-defensive coordinator Bobby Jack Wright, who handles the secondary.
And beyond stopping the Blue Raiders, the Sooners did one better.
Zach Latimer intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Nic Harris intercepted a pass and returned it to the 1. The Sooners also recovered three fumbles.
Linebacker Rufus Alexander matched a record with five tackles for losses.
“It was a game of getting back to Oklahoma football,” he said. “Defense (is what) Oklahoma is known for.”
OU Sports
Related Photos
-
KEVIN ELLIS
Discussion
Defense shaping up
- OU Sports
-
-
Winning is only option
Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....
-
Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals
Dual State is today....
-
Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor
Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....
-
Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10
OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...
-
Ricketts breaks record in season debut
LAS VEGAS — Well, it was going to happen. And still, it didn’t take long....
-
Schedule easing up for Sooners
For some time, the Oklahoma women have been done no favors by their schedule. That may still be the case, but not for much longer....
-
Sooners using roller-coaster season as motivation
Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics team has been anything but consistent. After dominating its season opener, the Sooners fell to No. 7 Oregon State and No. 9 Nebraska before trouncing then-No. 2 Arkansas....
-
Sooners open season with World Series aspirations
The Sooners haven’t even taken the field yet, but there is already talk of a national championship floating around the Oklahoma locker room. The Sooners will take the first step toward that goal when they open the season at 1:15 p.m. ...
-
Sooners have to eliminate mistakes that are costing them wins
It was a typical practice for Oklahoma on Thursday. The long workout had a lot of energy and precision. It mirrored many it has had over the last three months....
-
Move to Big 12 is chance at stability
Maybe this Internet thing’s really going to make it after all. Maybe even as a news source....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Winning is only option
