The Sooners’ prolific offensive numbers could be much greater if they hadn’t spent the fourth quarter trying to run out the clock in nearly every game this season; Kansas and Texas being the two exceptions.
OU coach Bob Stoops said that’s the big reason some of the offense’s and defense’s averages are skewed.
“Because you’re just trying to run out the clock, you’re punting more than you normally would, plus your back ups are in there,” he said. “The other team is getting more possessions in the fourth quarter so it changes your defensive stats. There are all kinds of things that it changes when you’re trying to burn up the last quarter. There are certain sportsmanship issues, so you just try to get out of the game, that’s the way it goes.”
The fourth quarter is the only one OU has been outscored in this season. Opponents hold a 56-41 edge in the final 15 minutes. OU has a 473-180 advantage in the first three quarters.
OSU can wait
Stoops said OU will use the off-week to exclusively work on Texas Tech. The Sooners usually use an open week to prepare for all future opponents. They face Oklahoma State on Nov. 29 in the regular season finale.
“I don’t feel comfortable doing that,” Stoops said. “We’re just spending our time on Tech and getting ready for them. And then we’ll do our best after that to zero in on Oklahoma State. We just feel that this is the best way to do it.”
No animosity
Stoops said he didn’t see the confrontation between OU kicker Jimmy Stevens and defensive tackle Cordero Moore after Stevens missed a field goal during the second quarter of the Texas A&M; game. Moore and Stevens were face-to-face after Stevens missed the field and Stevens shoved Moore away after a shouting match.
“I’ll address whatever I need to with our team,” Stoops said. “I don’t need to detail it with the public.”
He added that confrontations like that aren’t uncommon.
“In a very stressful situation, a couple of guys got angry with each other,” Stoops added. “That happens all the time. It’s going to happen. It will continue to happen. It’s not a big deal.”
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
What if Sooners never shut it down?
OU football notepad
- OU Sports
-
-
Winning is only option
Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....
-
Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals
Dual State is today....
-
Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor
Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....
-
Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10
OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...
-
Ricketts breaks record in season debut
LAS VEGAS — Well, it was going to happen. And still, it didn’t take long....
-
Schedule easing up for Sooners
For some time, the Oklahoma women have been done no favors by their schedule. That may still be the case, but not for much longer....
-
Sooners using roller-coaster season as motivation
Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics team has been anything but consistent. After dominating its season opener, the Sooners fell to No. 7 Oregon State and No. 9 Nebraska before trouncing then-No. 2 Arkansas....
-
Sooners open season with World Series aspirations
The Sooners haven’t even taken the field yet, but there is already talk of a national championship floating around the Oklahoma locker room. The Sooners will take the first step toward that goal when they open the season at 1:15 p.m. ...
-
Sooners have to eliminate mistakes that are costing them wins
It was a typical practice for Oklahoma on Thursday. The long workout had a lot of energy and precision. It mirrored many it has had over the last three months....
-
Move to Big 12 is chance at stability
Maybe this Internet thing’s really going to make it after all. Maybe even as a news source....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Winning is only option
