Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said four personnel changes have been made on the kick coverage unit this week. The Sooners, who have given up two kick returns for touchdowns in the first six games, rank 109th in kick coverage, allowing 25.33 yards per return.

“Kick coverage is terribly inconsistent and aggravating,” he said. “We’ve put a ton of time into it, in film time and practice time. We just haven’t been able to get it done. We’ve made some changes again and hopefully personnel will make the difference.”

Stoops pointed out that OU didn’t give up a single kick return for a touchdown last season even though it led the nation in kickoffs with 104. The coaches are the same, but some players have changed.

“What are we doing differently? Nothing,” Stoops said. “It’s people.”

Healing powers

A couple of OU players have missed games due to injuries this season. Center Jon Cooper said anyone who looks into the trainer’s room on Sunday would be stunned there haven’t been more.

“You look in there sometimes and wonder if anyone is going to play,” he said.

Middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, but thus far the injury bug hasn’t hit OU too hard. Reynolds is the only regular starter the Sooners don’t have in the lineup. Many are hurting, but it’s part of playing the game.

“I don’t think our trainers would put us in a bad situation where we’re going to get hurt,” Cooper said. “If they say it’s a pain tolerance thing, you’re gonna see us on the field.”

Turnovers the key

Lost in the shuffle of the loss to Texas was the fact the Sooners weren’t able to force a turnover for the second straight game.

“We have got to get some turnovers because the last couple of games we haven’t had some turnovers,” safety Nic Harris said. “We need to disrupt the passer a lot more.”

OU joins Nebraska as the only teams who’ve yet to create a turnover in a conference game.

Streak continues

OU kicker Jimmy Stevens is hitting 100 percent for the year from field goal range, but it’s doubtful he’s going to have enough attempts to get in the national rankings. He’s only had one attempt through the first six games — a 36-yarder against Cincinnati.

To have only attempted one field goal in the first six games means an offense is either incredibly good or incredibly bad.

“I was thinking about that the other day. It’s quite amazing,” Stoops said. “Of course, as you guys have been telling me, we have such an issue with our offense. We’re 27 of 28 (scoring touchdowns) in the red zone. I don’t know of very many teams that have done that either.”

The Sooners lead the nation in red zone offense, scoring all 28 times they’ve gotten the ball inside the opponent’s 20. UNLV and Pittsburgh are the only other bowl subdivision teams with a perfect mark. The Rebels have kicked three field goals while the Panthers have settled for five.

Poll watching

OU didn’t pay much attention to the polls when it was ranked No. 1 for the previous two weeks. Now that it’s No. 4, there’s a lot more interest in where it stands.

“These guys pay attention just like everyone does. It’s nothing new,” Stoops said.

The Sooners are already rooting for another wild season atop the rankings. Last season the top spot changed hands six times.

It’s the likely scenario for this season. Already four different teams have been ranked No. 1 in the eight polls.

“It’s hard to go undefeated,” Stoops said. “Who would have ever thought that the national champion would have two losses? Strange things can happen and it did last year. You just have to be ready to play.”

John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com