If whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, then Oklahoma has added some muscle that should pay off in the future.
The future basically started a few minutes after Thursday's 31-27 victory over Stanford in the Sun Bowl.
OU coach Bob Stoops was already thinking the injuries that depleted the depth chart throughout the season sped up the growth for the 2010.
Nothing symbolized that more than the performance of quarterback Landry Jones.
Many saw the Sun Bowl as a referendum on the redshirt freshman. He didn't have the smooth transition from bench warmer to starter that Sam Bradford did. Then again, how could he?
Bradford won the starting job in practice. Jones had it dropped on him when Bradford crashed on his right shoulder in the season opener against BYU.
Four months later, he threw for 418 yards and led OU to its first bowl victory since 2005.
"I could just see a big progression just for the way I see things out there. When I first went in against BYU it felt like things were going 100 miles an hour and it was hard to see some coverages," he said. "But I've been able to play in a couple games since then and the game has slowed down some."
No starting job is a guaranteed for anyone, but Jones went a long way toward solidifying himself as the Sooners quarterback of the future.
The offensive growing pains, which included a rash of penalties and turnovers, were typical of a young unit. If the miscues are trimmed, the Sooners could be very explosive next season.
"We needed some positive energy and now we can take this into recruiting in a great way and get us back in contention for the Big 12 South next year," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
They must replace four seniors (offensive linemen Trent Williams and Brian Simmons, running back Chris Brown and fullback Matt Clapp), but the bulk should be back.
Obviously, OU's offensive line will need to improve. OU's trying to address that in recruiting.
The biggest question OU has to answer is how many underclassmen will decide to enter the NFL draft. Bradford and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy have already announced they're turning pro.
Cornerback Dominique Franks and wide receiver Ryan Broyles have both said publicly they will return, but nothing is official.
Defensive end Jeremy Beal, linebacker Travis Lewis and running back DeMarco Murray are all contemplating leaving early. If those three stay, it would be an enormous lift to OU.
Murray had his rushing numbers dropped while running behind a patched-together offensive line, but still finished with 1,227 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.
Beal has been one of the best defensive linemen of the Stoops era. He led OU with 11 sacks this year and has been a dominant player the past two seasons.
Lewis, who is a redshirt sophomore, led OU in tackles for the second straight season.
OU really needs its junior to return on the defensive side. Defensive end Auston English, linebackers Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayton and cornerback Brian Jackson were all seniors. If several of the juniors take off, OU could be in a defensive rebuilding mode next season. If not, OU could be dominant again next season.
What happens over the next month will tell the tale. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15.
National Signing Day is Feb. 3. OU already has 26 commitments. ESPN.com ranks the class at No. 8. Rivals.com currently has the Sooners at No. 4. Scout.com has OU with the No. 1 recruiting class.
Coaches and players have said there's a strong feeling better things are coming. Being able to end 2009 on a positive note helped. Keeping some talented underclassmen around and adding a very strong recruiting class would also help.
"I think we've gained a little bit of momentum," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "That's good for our guys. They've earned it."
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
Sports
What next?
- Sports
-
-
Tigers deny Sooners’ Big 12 title hopes
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma wanted to win its first Big 12 tournament in 16 years on Sunday. Missouri needed to win it to get in the NCAA Tournament. Need topped desire at Bricktown Ballpark....
-
It’s a recipe for success
Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso was answering questions Saturday after her Sooners clinched another return to the Women’s College World Series when, without really meaning to, she began to make it clear her job has, sort of, become ...
-
At Indy, it’s Franchitti … again
INDIANAPOLIS — Dario Franchitti held off a last lap pass attempt by Takuma Sato to win his third Indianapolis 500 on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Sato lost control, spun and crashed while trying to make the pass....
-
Spurs rally, Thunder fall
SAN ANTONIO — Gregg Popovich wanted some “nasty.” The San Antonio Spurs obliged, and they’ve now tied NBA history....
-
Johnson holds on to win Colonial
FORT WORTH, Texas — Zach Johnson was so caught up in the emotion of another Colonial title and a victory in honor of his caddie’s late father that he forgot to properly remark his ball before his final putt. Even with a two-stroke ...
-
Sooners make winning look easy
As Oklahoma’s players locked arms around the pitching circle, coming together for what passed as a celebration following Saturday’s 7-1 NCAA Super Regional-clinching victory over Arizona, three gloves remained near second base....
-
Tigers rout Jayhawks to reach finals
OKLAHOMA CITY — Dane Opel doubled, tripled and drove in five runs to lead Missouri to a 12-2 rout of Kansas and earn a trip to the Big 12 tournament championship game for the second straight season....
-
Thunder, Spurs are ready to settle West’s best debate
SAN ANTONIO — Maybe they’ll finally get a challenge this time....
-
There are no easy outs in the lineup
Looking for a gameplan to stop Oklahoma? Well, one may or may not be available, but walking two of the first three Sooners you face certainly isn’t part of it. Just ask Arizona’s Kenzie Fowler....
-
Sooners will play for Big 12 championship
OKLAHOMA CITY, — It’s been 16 years since Oklahoma won the Big 12 tournament. It’s closer now than its ever been to ending the streak. The Sooners rolled through Baylor, 7-2, on Saturday at Bricktown Ballpark to advance to the tournament’s ...
- More Sports Headlines
-
