Austin Box admits his first “competitive” college football game didn’t produce the memories he hoped. In fact, the first half of Oklahoma’s game against Kansas State is a little hazy.
“At times, it kind of looked like I didn’t know what was going on,” the Sooners’ new middle linebacker said of his first couple series at the spot. “I do feel like I got more comfortable.”
Box’s comfort could be the biggest factor in how the rest of OU’s season goes. Just look at the statistics in the two games since Ryan Reynolds suffered a season-ending knee injury against Texas.
The Sooners have allowed over 490 yards in both games and over 31 points twice.
You can’t put all of OU’s problems on the make-shift situation at middle linebacker that’s followed. Nic Harris was shifted from strong safety to middle linebacker against the Jayhawks. Box took over the spot against the Wildcats.
There’s plenty of blame to spread in every direction, though.
There have been missed tackles at every position. Defensive linemen have allowed quarterbacks to escape the pocket. Defensive backs have let receivers get away from them.
But it’s tough to be a good defense when things are shaky in the middle. You get exposed in the run game. The short passing game, like Nebraska will employ when it faces the fourth-ranked Sooners at 7 Saturday night at Owen Field, finds more soft spots to expose.
OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables doesn’t believe Box is going to be a problem. He’s preaching patience and sees things the same way Box does.
“I thought he continued to get more comfortable as things went along. Of course from the beginning of the game to the end there’s a lot of things that are new for him,” he said of Box’s play against Kansas State. “But I was proud of how hard he played and he made a few plays there at the end in some critical situations.
“Earlier in the game we gave up a curl where he’s got to be underneath for 15, 17 or 18 yards. After, I said, ‘Hey, remember that? That’s the one we worked.’ He was like, ‘I know it. I blew it.’ And the next two times they came back to it, he covered it. That’s just one example of a guy learning within the course of a game.”
Box admits he’s still taking lumps in that regard.
He’s had his fair share of practice repetitions over the last season and half. But those were a few steps over at weakside linebacker. That time isn’t useless to him, but he’s having to adjust to seeing things from different angles and training his eyes to look in different places. By anyone’s standard, it takes time.
Games provide a different challenge.
“I just had never been out there with that speed before,” he said. “It had been a while since I’d actually played in a competitive game with redshirting last year and not seeing much time this year. I don’t know how to explain it, but as the game went on I started feeling much better.”
But OU needs it to be more than a feeling. It was a playing like a championship defense until Reynolds limped off the field against Texas. It’s been “Jekyll and Hyde” since. OU’s hopes of remaining in the Big 12 and national championship races don’t rest on Box’s broad shoulders alone, but the load could get a lot lighter if he catches on quickly.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
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