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
OU Sports
Changes being made
- 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
