By John Shinn
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops had nothing to say about the officiating in the OU-Texas game even though there were several calls that went against the Sooners that helped change the momentum in the Longhorns’ favor.
One in particular, a fourth-quarter screen pass dropped by Adrian Peterson that was ruled a lateral, put the final nail in the Sooners’ coffin. Texas’ Aaron Ross scooped it up and returned it 3 yards for a touchdown.
Peterson voiced his displeasure with the call Monday, but said the Sooners should be used to it by now.
“I think it was a bad call,” he said, “but I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last bad call we get. You can’t do anything about it so you have to move forward.”
Peterson took a lot of heat for not chasing down the ball. Some took it as a sign OU had quit.
The play came with less than 11 minutes remaining in the game and put OU down 21-10. Peterson eventually chased after the ball after hesitating.
But he doesn’t understand how that gave the impression of quitting.
“For them to think I was giving up or the team was giving up, I look at them and think that was crazy,” he said. “When you’re doing good they’re all for you. When you’re not, they’re always trying to find the littlest, smallest thing to bring you down. I guess that’s their job.”
Penalties for penalties
OU had a season-high 11 penalties against Texas with five coming on false starts. Four were called on guards Duke Robinson and Brandon Walker.
Offensive line coach James Patton said changes will be made if it continues to be an issue.
“That’s the key about having great depth,” he said. “If one guy’s making mistakes or not doing things or not blocking, we have other guys.”
But outside of the penalties Patton was pleased with his unit’s play. The Sooners piled up 333 yards against a very good Texas defense.
“The challenge is to put it together for four quarters and not shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said. “Those are things we can correct and those are things other guys can get opportunities with if they don’t get corrected. That’s the biggest thing.
“Each guy needs to challenge himself to play with that discipline.”
Colorado kickoff set
OU’s Oct. 21 game against Colorado will kick off at 6 p.m. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Network.
It will be a special event as recognition of Prentice Gautt and the 1956 national championship team will take place during the evening.
Tickets remain
The University of Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office has a limited number of tickets available for the both Iowa State and Colorado games.
The tickets have been returned by both schools.
They can be purchased online at www.SoonerSports.com, by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 800-456-4668 or 405-325-2424 during regular business hours Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office on the west side of Owen Field.
Tickets for both games are $67.
OU also has a limited number of tickets for the Oct. 28 game at Missouri. Tickets are $55 each.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
