One of Oklahoma’s biggest wins against Texas A&M; came in 2000 at Kyle Field. The Sooners trailed most of the game until linebacker Torrance Marshall intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to seal a 35-31 victory.
OU coach Bob Stoops said that game remains one of his fondest memories over the last 10 seasons.
“When Torrance Marshall returns that interception for a touchdown. You’re on the road in that environment. They can smell blood. That’s when I made the comment, ‘Boys, we can’t lose.’ It’s just not going to happen. That’s where that feeling from then on came from. It was that way. That no matter what, we’re going to figure out a way to win it.”
The Sooners have gone 3-1 at Kyle Field under Stoops.
Favoring a playoff
Stoops, once an opponent of a playoff system to decide the national champion, said his opinion had changed Tuesday.
“I seem to be coming full circle on the deal,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ll ever get to it or not. Just with the differences in non-conference scheduling, whether you have some difficult games or people don’t. And your strengths of schedule in different conferences. Some have championship games and others don’t. So, I think I’m for it. But again, that’s something that’s far off.”
The current BCS system will remain in place through the 2010 season.
Pay attention
Kyle Field has a reputation for being a very difficult place to play. It’s traditionally been the loudest stadium in the Big 12. It’s lost some of its teeth with Texas A&M; (4-5) struggling this season.
OU would like it to stay that way Saturday.
“It can get kind of hectic at times,” wide receiver Quentin Chaney said. “If you get caught looking into the stands, that can mess you up a little bit and get you off focus. So you have to stay focused.”
Humbled Bradford
There’s little doubt OU quarterback Sam Bradford is a Heisman Trophy candidate and will very likely be invited to the Dec. 13 ceremony in New York.
“Obviously, any college football player would feel honored and I certainly will if I get invited,” Bradford said. “But I feel like if we don’t win and we don’t take care of business, it’s probably not going to happen. My focus has to be on the next three games.”
Bradford is one of three Big 12 South quarterbacks in the running for the prize. Texas’ Colt McCoy and Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell are also considered candidates.
“All that stuff takes care of itself at the end of the year,” Bradford said. “There’s no use in worrying about what happens.”
Wait until Thursday
Stoops said decisions will be made Thursday on whether tight end Brody Eldridge (ankle) and wide receiver Manny Johnson (elbow) will play against Texas A&M.; The Sooner coach said Eldridge is “likely.” Johnson is in the same boat. But both will have to demonstrate by Thursday that they’re healthy enough to play.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Sooners have enjoyed Kyle Field
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