A year ago, Oklahoma's defensive philosophy wasn't rocket science. Just keep it simple summed it up the best.

The Sooners didn't blitz much and the coverages were more about getting everyone on the same page instead of confusing opposing quarterbacks. Substitutions were also minimal. Unless someone was hurt, OU was content.

"I was just praying to get guys lined up and in the right gaps and understand the drops," OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "We hardly blitzed, we couldn't do much of anything. I felt like we played with one arm tied behind our back the entire year."

Through eight games, it's been night-and-day for the Sooners. Situational substitutions have been common and the Sooners have been anything but basic.

They've used three-man defensive fronts and four-man defensive fronts. They've used four linebackers and they've used two. At times there's been four defensive backs, others times as many as six.

Venables credits experience as a reason the Sooners have been able to become more complex. But it's also a matter of taking advantage of some unique talents.

Jeremy Beal and Gerald McCoy are prime examples.

Last week against Kansas State, Beal played both defensive end and outside linebacker.

"He is like a linebacker and most defensive ends aren't. Some can, some can't," Venables said. "He can slide out and do that."

McCoy is one of the best defensive tackles in college football, but he can also slide out to defensive end in passing situations, as he's done that all season.

"Our personnel gives us that flexibility," Venables said. "You don't just do it to do it or because it looks really good on the board. Those guys execute pretty good and they get it, they understand it. They can handle it and that's the biggest thing."

The versatility will come in handy Saturday night at Nebraska. The Huskers have struggled offensively this season, but they'll line up in everything from four-receiver sets to two running backs and two tight ends.

"You have to go against different styles of football all the time," Beal said.

The Sooners will have to adjust to all of it on the fly.



McCoy semifinalist

McCoy was named one of 16 semifinalists for the 15th Chuck Bednarik Award this week by the Maxwell Football Club. The announcement marks the second straight year that McCoy has been named a semifinalist for the award.

The current list of candidates will be trimmed down to three finalists Nov. 23 while the announcement of the winner of the Bednarik Award will be made during the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show Dec. 10.

McCoy ranks 15th nationally with 12 tackles for loss and leads OU with eight quarterback hurries. McCoy has made 63 percent of his stops behind the line of scrimmage including 3.5 sacks to lead the No. 8 scoring defense and No. 11 overall defense.



Thorpe snub

It was a surprise Wednesday when the Thorpe Award, which is given to college football's best defensive back, announced its semifinalist list and OU cornerbacks Brian Jackson and Dominique Franks were both left off.

Sooner coach Bob Stoops was surprised when he find out none of his players made the cut.

"Brian has four interceptions, and when you look at some of the receivers he's been lined up against, he's had a great year," the coach said.

Jackson shut down Texas' Jordan Shipley and Kansas' Dezmon Briscoe, both All-American candidates, in consecutive games and his interception total ranks 10th nationally. Franks has two picks with one going for an 85-yard touchdown against Kansas.

"These things happen sometimes and that's the way it goes," Stoops said. "Those guys are playing well."



Caleb probable

Stoops said wide receiver Brandon Caleb was able to participate more in Wednesday's practice and likely will be able to play against the Huskers.

"I think probable is the best way to say it," Stoops said. "He's been able to do more every day."

Caleb suffered an ankle injury in the opening minutes of the Kansas State game. He didn't have a catch in the game.

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com