NORMAN — Two weeks ago when Oklahoma was at Iowa State, Sooner fans did not care for the announcing team of Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham.
Cunningham, for his part, ripped the “Belldozer” short yardage package, while both appeared enamored by the never-say-die-lovable-loser Cyclones.
That wasn’t the case Saturday, when the Fox team of play-by-play man Craig Bolerjack (a former Kansas State linebacker in the late 70s) and analyst Joel Klatt (a Colorado quarterback from 2002 to 2005) were amazed by some of the calls that went against OU, none more than a pass interference call against Tony Jefferson when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar couldn’t have reached the ball.
“That’s a poor call from the officials,” Klatt said. “Bob Stoops is livid and he should be.”
Then there was what appeared to be a West Virginia fumble that was ruled an incomplete pass. The play was reviewed and stood, but it appeared the replay official’s hands were tied, because the play had been blown dead on the field.
Also, before the kick, in the moment the two previewed the game, they featured the “Belldozer,” as one of the Sooners’ strengths.
Down on the field for Fox was Petros Papidakis, a late 90s tailback at Southern Cal. He had one interesting thought on West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith’s struggles.
“Is he learning there are certain passes he just can’t make against certain Big 12 opponents,” he said.
GameDay shenanigans: ESPN College Football GameDay was live from Eugene, Ore., Saturday, where 5-year-old Braden Pape was the guest picker.
The kid was fearless, picking Wisconsin over Ohio State.
“Sorry Kirk, Wisconsin,” he said.
Hilarious was Lee Corso’s first response to a pick from the kid he disagreed with.
“Not so fast, midget,” Corso said.
“Midget?,” said host Chris Fowler in disbelief, as Kirk Herbstreit, to Corso’s left, put his head down, also in disbelief.
Also, former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard offered his running Heisman ballot: 1. Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State; 2. Marqise Lee, WR, Southern Cal; 3. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M.
Before the GameDay gang got off the air, Pape picked Oregon with a homemade Duck head on his noggin, then Corso picked the Ducks, and put the Duck mascot head on his noggin before producing a live duck and dancing in front of the GameDay set.
Clay HorningFollow me @clayhorningcfhorning@normantranscript.com
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