Published: August 27, 2008 12:49 pm         

OU Sooners have pieces in place for championship run

Oklahoma Sooners



Last year’s record — 11-3 overall, 6-2 Big 12, lost to West Virginia, 48-28, in Fiesta Bowl

Head coach — Bob Stoops, 10th year (97-22)

Returning starters — 11 offensive, 6 defensive



Schedule

Aug. 30 — Chattanooga

Spet. 6 —Cincinnati

Sept. 13 — at Washington

Sept. 27 — TCU

Oct. 4 — at Baylor

Oct 11 — Texas (Dallas)

Oct. 18 — Kansas

Oct. 25 — at Kansas State

Nov. 1 — Nebraska

Nov. 8 — at Texas A&M

Nov. 22 — Texas Tech

Nov. 29 — at Oklahoma State



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By Bruce Campbell

Staff Writer



NORMAN — What will be the key for Oklahoma’s run for a third straight Big 12 championship and possible BCS national championship?

The Sooners almost have every thing on paper — a senior-dominated offensive line, a proven quarterback, explosive running backs, talented receivers and a strong defensive line.

Linebackers and the secondary are question marks, but not enough to take the Sooners out of contention.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has one answer that can’t be found on paper.

“We got a chance to be really good if we can get the old guys to buy in,’’ Wilson said. “Sometimes that can be easier with a younger team. That’s a huge challenge.’’

The Sooners had a huge challenge a year ago when redshirt freshman Sam Bradford was inserted into the starting quarterback’s role.

All he did was to set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes and lead the nation in passing efficiency (176.5) as OU became the first Big 12 team to repeat as conference champions.

Bradford’s strength, Wilson said, was playing within himself “more than a younger player normally does.’’ What he has to do as a sophomore is not get greedy trying to make plays.

“A great quarterback doesn’t have to make every shot,’’ Wilson said. “He has to stay mature enough to live on the edge without crossing the line.’’

Wilson pointed out a sophomore slump occurs when the quarterback doesn’t have a strong supporting cast.

The offensive line returns five senior starters, headed by All-American guard Duke Robinson, who spurned the NFL to return for his senior season.

He’s joined by left tackle Phil Loadholt, center Jon Cooper, right guard Brandon Walker and right tackle Branndon Braxton. Junior Trent Williams, who started seven games after Braxton was injured, will push for the starting job.

Wilson hopes competition will keep the line from being complacent.

“They had something to prove last year,’’ he said. “Sometimes a senior will lose that sense of urgency and get a little complacent. That can make you an average player. That’s where competition is going to help us.’’

OU head coach Bob Stoops said the line still needs to be more physical and more consistent.

Wilson’s biggest challenge may be to keep everybody happy. DeMarco Murray (787 yards and 13 touchdowns) and Chris Brown (611 yards and 9 TDs) are two proven running backs.

Norman sophomore Moses Madu “quite honestly looks as good as those two,’’ Wilson said. Freshman Jermie Calhoun and Justin Johnson were two of the nation’s top high school running backs last season. Fullback Matt Clapp is a strong blocker.

The Sooners had five receivers with 20 or more receptions last season. That shouldn’t change in 2008, even with Malcolm Kelly going to the NFL’s Washington Redskins.

Juaquin Iglesias had 68 receptions for 907 yards and 15 touchdowns. Manuel Johnson caught 31 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns. Quentin Chaney and Adrian Tennell might be ready to break out.

Tight end Jermaine Gresham caught 37 passes for 518 yards, including 11 touchdowns.

OU’s best player, Wilson says, is tight end-fullback Brody Eldridge, an All-Big 12 selection for his blocking.

“He’s the best player on our team for doing what he’s supposed to do,’’ Wilson said.

“I told Jermaine Gresham, ‘watch No. 83, that’s how you’re suppose to block.’’’

Bradford will be running some no-huddle offense. OU ran a no-huddle two years ago on third down. Wilson said he didn’t know how significantly the no-huddle will change the Sooner offense.

“I think we’ll have more of a sense of urgency with our pace of play with a 40-second clock,’’ Stoops said.

The Sooner defense is trying to come back from last year’s 48-28 loss to West Virginia. The Mountaineers were held under three yards or less on 51 of their 59 plays. The other eight plays went for 40 yards or more.

“We need to be more consistent,’’ said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. “We can’t give up the big play. In the bowl game, we didn’t tackle well. We busted coverages. We didn’t get pressure on the quarterback, so everybody took a licking.’’

The front four of ends Austin English and Alan Davis and tackles Gerald McCoy, Adrian Taylor and DeMarcus Granger has chance to be OU’s best defensive front since 2004, Venables said.

English, an All-Big 12 player, needs to stay healthy, especially in an era of spread defenses. The Sooners missed him dearly in a 34-27 loss to Texas Tech.

“We had a noticeable drop-off when Austin wasn’t in there,’’ Venables said. “When you’re facing teams that throw the ball 60 to 70 times a game, you have to have numbers.’’

The move of often-injured Ryan Reynolds to replace Big 12 defensive player of the year Curtis Lofton could be the key to the defense.

This summer, unlike past years, Reynolds was able to fully commit to the weight room, allowing him to get stronger, more durable and quicker, Venables said. Reynolds is finding a comfort zone there.

Enid’s Austin Box, who redshirted last season, was listed as the No. 1 weakside linebacker before having arthroscopic knee surgery which will probably force him to miss the season opener.

Box’s injury could open the way for junior college transfer Mike Balogun, who Venables said could end up as one of the top three linebackers before fall practice ends.

Converted defensive back Keenan Clayton had drawn raves for his play at strongside linebacker.

Safety and nickel back Nic Harris could see some time at linebacker in certain packages, a la Roy Williams.

“We’re not real deep there,’’ Venables said, “but we still feel we have three or four quality players.’’

The secondary must replace cornerback Reggie Smith, who left early for the NFL. The experience of the front four will take some pressure off the backs, Stoops said, but “they can control only so much.’’

“We still have guys who have shown the ability to make plays like we’re used to seeing people make,’’ Stoops said.

Lendy Holmes is back at free safety after missing the Fiesta Bowl because of academics. Junior right cornerback Bryant Jackson was praised by Stoops for his improvement in the spring. Dominique Franks, who started the Fiesta Bowl when Smith was hurt, is back.

Redshirt freshman Sam Proctor and junior college transfer David Sims could find work at safety.

OU must replace four-year starter Garrett Hartley as its placekicker. Redshirt freshman Jimmy Stevens and true freshman Tress Way “hopefully will have the consistency we’re used to seeing,’’ Stoops said.

Mike Knall averaged 43.7 yards a punt a year ago. He dropped down six of his 24 punts inside the 20 with only two touchbacks. Derek Shaw is back as the deep snapper.

Iglesias and Murray averaged 28.5 and 29.3 yards a kickoff return last year, respectively. Franks, redshirt freshman Ryan Broyles and Sims are among the punt return candidates to replace Smith.