Oklahoma was scorched by Texas tight end Jermichael Finley last week. Finely accounted for nearly 40 percent of the Longhorns’ 385 passing yards on only four catches
It would seem to be a bad omen as the Sooners prepare face the Missouri tight end tandem of Martin Rucker and Chase Coffman. Both are averaging over 47 receiving yards per game and have five of the Tigers’ 16 touchdown receptions this season.
But the Sooners don’t believe Rucker and Coffman will the present the same problem Finley did for one reason.
They’re not really tight ends.
“They’re big, strong, fast, athletic wide receivers,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
Texas was able to isolate Finley on linebackers Curtis Lofton and Ryan Reynolds. But Rucker and Coffman usually line up as slot receivers.
“It’s just their style or how they choose to play them, which obviously is working for them,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “But it’s not your traditional position. It’s obvious their stand-up guys split out 95 percent of the time. That’s not what other traditional tight ends are doing.”
The Sooners will use primarily five- and six- defensive back schemes against the Tigers. OU used a lot of four-defensive back sets against the Longhorns.
Still, Rucker and Coffman will be a major focus Saturday.
“They have two tight ends that are just as big and fast as we have seen,” Reynolds said. “They have excellent wide receivers and they have a lot of talent on offense, which is why they are 5-0. It is going to be a real big challenge for us on defense.”
Old foe
Gary Pinkel is leading the Tigers against the Sooners for the fourth time. The Sooners are 3-0 in the previous meetings.
But Pinkel has been going up against OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson for much longer.
Wilson matched wits against Pinkel from 1991-1998 while Wilson was offensive coordinator at Miami-Ohio and Pinkel was head coach at Toledo.
“Got a lot of respect for him and his staff,” Wilson said. “Shoot, a couple of his coaches were actually coaches when (OU offensive line coach James) Patton was playing (for Miami-Ohio) back in the early ’90s. So I know those guys, and know them well. The guys I didn’t know, because I recruit Kansas and Missouri, I’ve gotten to know. So I know their staff, got a lot of respect for them. I’m not surprised they’re playing the way they’re playing.”
Distractions
At No. 11, Missouri has achieved its highest ranking since 1982. The jump in the polls has come with some added media attention.
Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel has noticed.
“Everyone wants to follow you when you’re winning and no one wants to follow you when you’re losing,” he said. “That’s the way it is and we have to embrace it and we have to enjoy it. It doesn’t happen too often around here, but that’s the reason why you play college sports.”
All-Americans
Sports Illustrated released its midseason All-American team this week and OU placed one player on the team.
Left tackle Phil Loadholt, who is a junior college transfer, was named. Loadholt was one of six players from the Big 12 singled out.
Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree and Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson were also named to the offense. Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon and Kansas cornerback Ali Highsmith were named to the defense.
Rivals.com also released its midseason team this week. It included three Sooners: wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, offensive guard Duke Robinson and cornerback Reggie Smith. The three selections were the most of any team.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Tiger tight ends play unique position
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