Norman, Okla. — By John Shinn
Transcript Sports Writer
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops detests saying the same thing over and over again. But he doesn't mind making an exception for defensive ends Calvin Thibodeaux and C.J. Ah You.
For the last month, the Sooner coach has walked up to podiums after four straight wins over Kansas, Baylor, Nebraska and Texas A&M; and sung the praises of the duo.
"I could not be more happy with C.J. and Calvin - how they're playing and the way they've stood in there and held up." Stoops said.
They've done more than hold up. Through nine games, the tandem has accounted for 12 sacks and 22 tackles for losses.
Last Saturday against Texas A&M;, the tandem combined for four sacks and a safety that knocked Aggie quarterback Reggie McNeal out of the game.
Those are big numbers from two players that were in the shadows when the season started.
Over the past few seasons, OU has used a rotation along the defensive line. The goal was to always have fresh linemen on the field.
Dan Cody and Jonathan Jackson were the most dominant bookends in the Big 12 Conference in 2003 and 2004. But they also had Thibodeaux and Larry Birdine filling in for extended periods.
Thibodeaux and Ah You were supposed to be in the rotation this season, but Birdine, John Williams and Alonzo Dotson were the Sooners' top three defensive ends when practice began in August.
However, Birdine and Williams were lost to season-ending injuries. Dotson was lost to academics. Losing those three left a huge void at the defensive end spots just in terms of numbers.
Luckily for OU Thibodeaux and Ah You remained and were ready to pounce on the opportunity.
"Once we had a chance to get them out on the field and work through some of their mistakes early, they started catching on pretty well," defensive ends coach Chris Wilson said. "Those two have great work ethic."
Both had playing experience, but had yet to seize the spotlight.
Ah You transferred from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and enrolled at OU before spring drills. He began his career at BYU, playing three games there in 2001. But a major knee injury forced him to miss the 2002 season before he left for junior college.
Thibodeaux played in 19 games over the previous three years and saw his first significant action early in the 2004 season. But a knee injury kept him off the field for the final seven games.
Now their play is one of the biggest reasons the Sooners are bowl-eligible and have a chance to win their fifth straight game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Texas Tech.
It will be a long day for both. The Red Raiders' pass-heavy offense will test the stamina of any defensive lineman.
But they've grown accustomed to the extra work.
"Me and C.J. are just having fun and trying contribute to the team," Thibodeaux said. "We've tried step up and not let it be a void - We just wanted to step up and hold our own."
They've done that and more.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
