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.”
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KEVIN ELLIS
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Defense shaping up
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