COLUMBIA, Mo. — Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has a simple motto when it comes to the direction of his unit and play-calling in general.
The first thing he does is think about the offensive line and say, “If they can’t block it, we can’t run it.”
It’s a simple philosophy that’s helped fuel OU’s offense. Through seven games, it is averaging over 32.8 points per game and just a shade under 400 yards an outing.
Just about everything Wilson has called, the offensive line has figured out a way to block.
“They’ve played very well,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.
Not bad for a group was supposed to be the question mark if not a flat out deficiency when the season began. Only senior left tackle Chris Messner had starting experience beyond a handful of games.
The rest — guards Duke Robinson and Brandon Walker, center Jon Cooper and right tackle Branndon Braxton — are all sophomores and in their first seasons as full-time starters.
But with the groups’ numbers depleted due to transfers and graduation, they were the guys who spent virtually all of last spring playing almost every snap. It was a physically taxing time, but also one that appears to be paying off.
“That’s when we really came together,” Messner said. “We really became a close group back then and in the offseason workouts.”
It shows in the only giving up nine sacks thus far.
However, the unit will get tested in several ways at 11 a.m. today when No. 19 OU (5-2, 2-1 Big 12) faces No. 23 Missouri (7-1, 3-1) at Faurot Field.
First, there’s the factor of having to play away from home and in the company of deafening crowd. Then there’s the Tigers’ defense. They’re tied with Texas for a league-high 28 sacks.
The Tigers suffered a blow when all-time sacks leader Brian Smith fractured a hip last Saturday against Kansas State and is out for the season. But Defensive tackles Lorenzo Williams and Ziggy Hood have combined for 71/2 sacks. Linebackers Marcus Bacon and Dedrick Harrington have another 61/2.
There’s also the added pressure of going into the game without Braxton. He was lost for the season with a leg injury last Saturday against Colorado.
If you’re looking for a game where the group will be tested, this is it.
“It is a great challenge for us and our guys are looking forward to it,” offensive line coach James Patton said.
Perhaps none more than true freshman Trent Williams. He’ll be making his first start today in place of Braxton.
“It was unfortunate,” the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Williams said. “I just think that I have to make the best of the situation and not let that be a downfall for the team.”
No one thinks it will. This isn’t his first trip off the bench. He played in the last four games, including a couple meaningful series against Texas.
Last week against Colorado, he was part of two fourth-quarter scoring drives and had a smothering block on Chris Brown’s 4-yard touchdown run.
“He’s a good player and there’s a reason he’s here at OU,” Messner said. “Now is when he has to step up and play. I have every reason to believe he will.”
So far, OU’s offensive line has handled every challenge thrown at them. Today’s will be one of the biggest of the season.
“We’ve been together and playing well all season,” Cooper said. “That’s not going to change.”
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Big test
- OU Sports
-
-
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 ...
-
Big 12, SEC deal breaks the mold
It is unclear what the on-the-field product of the game-for-which-there-is-not-yet-a-name will be. Indeed, all we really know is the Big 12 and SEC plan to play a game on Jan. 1, 2015 (and on every Jan. 1, thereafter) that will include ...
-
Rivalry helped shape program
For coach Patty Gasso, it goes all the way back to 1995, her first year at Oklahoma. That was when her Sooners played Arizona six times throughout the season. Those Sooners were “annihilated” in all six of those contests....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Sooners make winning look easy
