By John Shinn
Oklahoma's receivers have been under fire almost since the season began. Afterall, they share some of the blame for the season-opening loss to BYU. They then took more blame after dropping some passes against Idaho State.
Receivers coach Jay Norvell said he'll know when the problems are rectified by one statistic.
"Guys have to step up on third down. We haven't done that near well enough," he said following Monday's practice.
The Sooners are 6-for-24 converting third downs through the first two games. The season started with a woeful 2-for-11 conversion rate against BYU. But even in scoring 64 points and piling 564 yards, OU was just 4-for-13 against Idaho State.
The receivers know they're under the gun and will continue to be until the statistic improves.
One of the reasons OU has been such an offensive juggernaut over the previous two seasons was the ability to keep drives going. It converted 51 percent (101-for-197) last season and 49 percent (93-for-189) in 2007.
But converting on critical downs might be the most difficult thing to simulate in practice. The pressure involved can't be replicated anywhere else but in a packed stadium on gameday.
The only receiver the Sooners have who have been in those situations on a consistent basis is Ryan Broyles. Last week, Broyles had seven catches for 155 yards against Idaho State.
"Nerves get to people. They still get to me," he said when asked about the third-down issues. "I'm the kind of guy who wants to be out there at pressure time. If everyone has that mentality, it will make things a lot easier."
No matter what, it's a step the receivers have to make this season. Converting 25 percent of third downs isn't good enough. The 12th-ranked Sooners will enter Saturday's game against Tulsa 104th in the country in the third-down conversion percentage catagory.
"Us as receivers know we have to make a play to sustain a drive," sophomore wide receiver Dejuan Miller said. "It's hard to simulate. You just have to be clutch when the ball comes your way. You have to be able to make plays under pressure."
Mustache craze
The facial hair of Sooner quarterback Landry Jones has come with a loyal band of supporters. During the Idaho State signs that read "Fear the 'Stache" and "Mustache Mafia" were prominent at Owen Field.
Jones has no intention to clean shaven anytime soon despite the constant ribbing he takes in OU's locker room. The quarterback said the best line he's heard from a teammate is from tight end Brody Eldridge.
"He always calls me 'Doc Holliday' or something like that," Jones said.
Jones is trying to get OU coach Bob Stoops to grow one, but it's doubtful that one will catch on. But he does have a goal beyond playing quarterback.
"I'm going to try to get the 'staches organized," he said.
Old enough
Through the first two games, OU has played eight true freshmen --defensive backs DeMontre Hurst, Marcus Trice and Javon Harris, linebackers Jaydan Bird and Ronnell Lewis, defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland, offensive lineman Tyler Evans and running back Jonathan Miller.
It's more than OU has played over the past several seasons, but Stoops says it's something that will become more common.
"Guys are more prepared for the game coming out of high school because of conditioning and their experience on the field. The limits on scholarships are also part of it," he said. "I've always believed, too, that even if it's in smaller amounts, he's better prepared for playing the next year, when he might have to start by getting some experience and getting ready each week to play."
Hoping to redshirt
One freshman the Sooners hope they don't have to bring out of redshirt is Drew Allen. The quarterback is currently No. 2 on OU's depth chart behind Jones. But after he didn't play against Idaho State, it became apparent he will only play in an emergency situation.
"He's done a nice job. He was in a good competition with Landry through the spring and summer and has progressed well. We're happy with the way he's working and progressing and believe he would be able to go in and play if he had to," Stoops said of Allen. "Right now, we're hoping that's not the case."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
