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Big game for Manny
Manny Johnson wasn’t licking his chops when he walked onto Owen Field Saturday night, but he should have been. TCU was about to present him with the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Horned Frogs have this thing about allowing teams to run the ball. No matter what, it will sell its soul and a couple safeties to make sure it doesn’t happen.
If you’re an Oklahoma receiver, it’s what you want to see.
“They were playing us in man-to-man and when they do that you have a pretty good chance to score,” Johnson said after the second-ranked Sooners’ 35-10 victory over the Horned Frogs.
Johnson had one of the games players dream about. One of those games that go into the history books. His five catches for 206 yards broke the OU record. The three that went for touchdowns proved to be the difference in the game.
Just about every time he touched the ball something big happened. The touchdown grabs went for 76, 55 and 63 yards. Those were also his first three receptions.
He remained humble. His coach couldn’t help but gush, though.
“I told him that’s one of the best performances by a wide receiver we have had in 10 years,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “It ranks up there with anybody we’ve had … That’s a pretty special night.”
Johnson surpassed Mark Clayton’s 190-yard performance against Texas in 2003 to claim the record for receiving yards in a game. Clayton was an All-American that season.
Johnson hasn’t gained that kind of status. He took a back seat to Malcolm Kelly and Juaquin Iglesias the previous two seasons. Even this season, Johnson’s senior year, has seen redshirt freshman Ryan Broyles jump to breakout status.
There’s really a pick-your-poison element to OU’s pass offense. Through the first four games, at least one receiver has come up with 99 receiving yards in every game. Johnson’s effort Saturday night marked the second time he’s surpassed that mark.
“Manny is a guy that can really hurt you. We all knew that,” Iglesias said. “He’s a guy that can make big plays and he took advantage of the opportunities they gave him.”
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