John Shinn
The sun wasn’t out Saturday and neither were a lot of Oklahoma’s established players. The first scrimmage of the spring was categorized more by who didn’t play than who did.
The 81-play workout at Owen Field likely bore little resemblance to what the Sooners will look like when they run out there for the Aug. 30 season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“We don’t get a real true look anyway with all the guys out,” OU coach Bob Stoops admitted. “But a lot of other young guys are getting good work.”
Among the projected offensive starters who were held out of Saturday’s scrimmage were running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown, wide receivers Manuel Johnson and Adron Tennell and offensive lineman Duke Robinson.
The defense was without linebacker Ryan Reynolds, safety Nic Harris, and defensive ends John Williams and Auston English.
Sam Bradford threw for 104 yards and completed 8-of-16 attempts, but the impact of injuries on the Sooners’ running back and receiver groups was obvious.
Juaquin Iglesias caught four passes for 62 yards and Quentin Chaney had one grab for nine. But none found the end zone.
It was the same for the Sooners on their 43 rushing attempts.
Former Norman High standout Mossis Madu, who had one catch for 17 yards, and true freshman Justin Johnson got the brunt of the carries. Madu rushed for 29 yards on 16 carries and Johnson had 59 yards on 17 totes.
They are the only running backs going through spring practice. Much like every practice, they got plenty of work.
“I felt pretty good this morning because I knew I was going to get to do what I can do. I wasn’t as productive as I’d like to have been, but I think I had a pretty good day overall,” Madu said.
Failing to get the ball in the end zone was disappointing for an offensive unit that was one of the best in college football last season and expects to be again this fall.
The Sooner defense, despite missing its own share of established players, dominated the day.
OU defenders picked off three passes and broke up eight more. Linebacker Keenan Clayton had two sacks and defensive end Frank Alexander added another.
“There was some good physical hitting and we were around the football,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
It was tough-sledding for the offense for much of the day en route to its 294 total yards. Stoops gave a familiar refrain when it came to defense dominating the scrimmages.
“We go so much against each other, our defense sees them everyday. They should stop them,” Stoops said. “If we’re going to be any good at all, (the offense) should have a hard time moving it.”
Clayton, who is trying to get in the mix for one of the starting linebacker spots, made a solid impression with six tackles, four going for losses. Safety Brian Jackson had a team-high seven stops. Lendy Holmes, the only returning starter in the secondary going through spring drills, added six.
The unit’s depth took another hit, though. Redshirt freshman linebacker Austin Box, who had been working at weakside linebacker, will likely miss the rest of spring drills with an injured left elbow.
His absence leaves the Sooners with only four healthy linebackers for the final two weeks of spring practice.
But spring practice is usually about developing depth and finding out which players will be ready for bigger roles in the fall. OU’s making the best of the situation.
“It gives an opportunity to really evaluate some other guys,” Venables said. “We’re pleased to have that opportunity. Guys are really stepping up to the challenge and competing and making some improvement.”
OU’s next public scrimmage is scheduled for next Saturday at 1 p.m., at Owen Field.
The Red/White Game is slated for April 12.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
