NORMAN — Kenny Stills played his last high school football game a little less than six months ago, but he showed in the Red/White Game he could have a big impact for the Sooners next season.
Stills had a game-high six receptions for 81 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception from Landry Jones.
“I felt like when I left high school that’s what the possibilities were for me,” Stills said. “I felt like if I was going to leave early, I better put my best foot forward and go out there and work hard every day and try to get on the field.”
It was an impressive debut.
The Sooners struggled at receiver beyond Ryan Broyles and Dejuan Miller, who emerged late in the season, last year. Having a big spring game could elevate Stills’ status heading into the fall.
“He looks like a guy that’s got a chance to be a good player. He looks like he could be one of our more comfortable, instinctive guys, ahead of the curve,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “If we’re playing today, you would think he would have a nice role.”
Kicking struggles
Jimmy Stevens was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with makes from 39, 31 and 27 yards. But it wasn’t exactly a great day for him nor Patrick O’Hara.
Neither faced a rush in any of their attempts. Steven’s 39-yard attempt banked off the left goal post and caromed through. The other two attempts were cleaner.
O’Hara missed his only attempt from 43 yards. He actually got two shots at it. The first was blocked by defensive end R.J. Washington, who didn’t get the memo there would be no block attempts. O’Hara’s free kick sailed wide right.
Neither Stevens nor O’Hara were very consistent last season with O’Hara getting the job late in the season. Both are battling for the starting job and the competition is expected to continue into the fall.
OU coach Bob Stoops didn’t put much weight into what happened Saturday.
“Those guys have done better. But it was a pretty rotten day to figure that all out,” he said.
Cleaner game
One thing that was a change from last season was the play of the offensive line. There were a lot of sacks, but quarterbacks weren’t allowed to be touched and whistles blew as soon as a defender got anywhere near them.
The difference was in penalties. There were no false starts and just a couple holding calls.
“To come out and not have any false starts or any kind of big-time mistakes is showing maturity,” center Ben Habern said. “We were split up the whole time so we didn’t even have the whole group, so that’s good for us.”
Sack leader
Even though no quarterbacks hit the ground, defensive end Jeremy Beal made his presence known. The senior-to-be was credited with five sacks for the White team. His side wound up with 11 for the day.
Hard to miss Wort
Freshman linebacker Tom Wort has worn a mohawk all spring and had his hair dyed red for Saturday’s game. It brought back memories of former OU linebacker Brian Bosworth, who was at the game. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said the comparison wasn’t fitting.
“I think Brian saw him and said, This guy don’t get it yet. He needs some work,” Venables joked.
Wort, who redshirted last season after suffering a knee injury, had two tackles and a sack for the Red team.
Fellow linebacker Travis Lewis said he loves playing with Wort and believes Wort will be a big factor next season. But the mohawk has to go.
“He’s going to cut it off today, I think. I hope,” Lewis said. “I’m going to see him out tonight and I’m going to get on him for it. Then he made it worse because he died it red. Gosh, I don’t know what that kid was thinking. He’s young! He needs to learn.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
