Game Day - Oct. 27

The Norman Transcript ■ Oct. 27, 2012

50 cents

A long time coming

Notre Dame at Oklahoma ■ ■ ■ ■

7 tonight Owen Field TV: KOCO-5 Radio: KOKC-AM

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

GAMEDAY

3

THE VIEW

Changing history Ghosts won’t be vanquished until Sooners stop Irish here is this sports intangible that’s hard to describe yet everybody who has ever invested emotionally with a team knows.

It is the “impending doom” intangible. Baseball fans know it because their team’s been in the field, up a run in the ninth with Derek Jeter coming to the plate.

NFL fans have known it when their team led the Elway Broncos, the Staubach Cowboys or, more lately, the Pats, Packers or Saints in the fourth quarter.

Hoops fans have known it any time their team led the Celtics or the Lakers, from almost any era, in the fourth quarter.

It doesn’t have to make sense. And it explains Notre Dame. Because Notre Dame is Notre Dame.

Especially if you’re a Sooner.

OU is a 10-point favorite.

Though Irish fans will disagree, the Sooners

T

Clay Horning Sports Editor

should be the more feared squad today. They have more weapons and, here lately, they’ve even played better defense. But the Irish are the Irish and, historically, against OU, will not die.

And this season, they’re even pretty good.

Notre Dame first beat Oklahoma 27-21 in 1952.

That Irish team went 7-2-1.

It was OU’s only loss. A year later, it was 28-21. Again it was OU’s only loss. The Irish didn’t lose.

In 1956, in the midst of its 47-game winning streak, the Sooners topped Notre Dame 40-0 in South Bend. It was a sweet victory, but it • See HORNING Page 14

Notre Dame at Oklahoma Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Owen Field Series: Notre Dame leads 8-1 Records: OU 5-1 (3-1 Big 12), Notre Dame 7-0 Rankings: OU No. 8 Associated Press Top 25; No. 7 USA Today coaches poll; No. 8 BCS standings. Notre Dame No. 5 AP Top 25, No. 5 coaches poll, No. 5 BCS. Line: OU minus 10 TV: KOCO-5 (Cox 8) Radio: KOKC-AM 1520, KRXO-FM 107.7

Inside ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

As big as games get Breakdown Rosters Two-deeps Poster Stats National Schedule Big 12 Glance Predictions

4 5 6 7 8 10 12 13 14

AP Photo

Notre Dame players carry coach Terry Brennan off of Owen Field on the afternoon of Nov. 16, 1957, moments after the Fighting Irish ended Oklahoma’s record 47-game winning streak.

4

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

THE BIG STORY: HUGE FROM E VERY ANGLE

Just as big as it can be Games like this built Sooners, Irish into great programs

By John Shinn Transcript Sports Writer

Big games are part of Oklahoma’s allure. Its history is painted with national title games, major bowl games, the Red River Rivalry, The Game of the Century and major collisions with non-conference foes.

Nevertheless, even OU quarterback Landry Jones, who typically goes out of his way to be as bland as possible, admitted more than a autumn cold front has blown into Norman.

“Absolutely,” he said when asked if there’s a bigger buzz because the

eighth-ranked Sooners were preparing to face No. 5 Notre Dame. “It’s similar to a Texas. It’s similar to that kind of atmosphere when a team like Notre Dame comes into town.

“You’re going to have more emotions. You’re going to be more excited for teams like this than any of the other ones on your schedule; although with that excitement comes a responsibility to realize that it’s a football game and you play the best — or for me, I play the best when I’m not thinking, when I’m just going out • See GAME Page 9

“There’s a great excitement. We’ve seen highlights and other things ever since we first started getting recruited. This is gonna be a great a game that gets added to that list. I feel like this is the reason you come to a school of this caliber.”

Jamarcus McFarland OU defensive tackle

Transcript Photo by Jerry Laizure

Bob Stoops gets after his players on the sideline earlier this season. He gets his second chance at Notre Dame after losing in South Bend, Ind., in 1999.

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

GAMEDAY

5

NOTRE DAME at OKL A HOMA: BRE A K ING DOWN TONIGHT’S G AME

Jones needs to be protected

By John Shinn

Sooner quarterback Landry Jones prepares to throw a pass earlier this season at Owen Field. The Sooners need to keep Jones on his feet today.

Transcript Sports Writer

There is Five a fascinathings to tion in tonight’s watch OklahomaJohn Shinn Notre Dame game that goes well beyond tradition and ranking.

These are two of college football’s best teams, but they go about winning through different formulas.

The result has been about the same. The Sooners have a prolific offense, but have added dominant defense to the mix. The Fighting Irish are led by a dominant defense, but has been able

Transcript Photo

by Kyle Phillips

to mix in just enough offense to win seven straight games to begin the season.

One of the teams will have an essential ingredient removed from the mix.

Here’s what the Sooners must do tonight to make sure it’s not them.

Protect Landry Jones: It’s no shock the Sooner • See WATCH Page 11

RUNNING GAME

■ Running the ball has been critical to OU’s offensive success. It showed last week against Kansas that it’s not mandatory. The Fighting Irish must establish the run in order to have any offensive success. The mentality will give Notre Dame a slight edge when it comes to running ball, but as far as talent in the backfield and offensive line, this is a pretty even game.

PA S S I N G G A M E

There’s a reason Notre Dame will bring quarterback Tommy Rees off the bench if it’s struggling. He the quarterback that can throw the ball. OU doesn’t have to go to a “reliever.” Landry Jones is going to make a huge difference tonight and the emergence of Sterling Shepard and Jalen Saunders in the slot makes OU very hard to defend.

■

PA S S D E F E N S E

This is where the Sooners can really separate themselves. The defensive line has applied pressure all season and the secondary has played at a level the Big 12 Conference hasn’t seen in years. Notre Dame hasn’t been tested by a team that can really throw the ball. That will show tonight. The Sooners have a big edge.

■

RUN DEFENSE

OU’s been stout against the run since the loss to Kansas State. Notre Dame, however, has dominated in this faze all season. The only way you go seven games without giving up a rushing touchdown is playing dominant defense. The Fighting Irish have been. The Sooners have improved every week, but lack Notre Dame’s track record.

■

SPECIAL TEAMS

Notre Dame is off to a 7-0 start because it’ has won close games. However, great special teams play hasn’t been part of the winning formula. Kyle Brindza missed two field goals last week against BYU. Three points could be big tonight.

Kicker Michael Hunnicutt gives OU an edge, while the Sooners return game seems to get better every week.

■

I N TA N G I B L E S

Can’t say the Sooners have a dominant home-field advantage any more. After all, they’ve lost two of their last six games at Owen Field, dating back to last season. Stil, when the game is big, OU fans respond.

Owen Field will have an electric atmosphere tonight. That energy will provide a major boost to the Sooners.

— John Shinn

■

6

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

OKLAHOMA ROSTER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 37 38

Tony Jefferson Julian Wilson Sterling Shepard Kenny Stills Joseph Ibiloye Demontre Hurst Corey Nelson Dominique Whaley Joe Powell Gabe Lynn Trevor Knight Rashod Favors Blake Bell R.J. Washington Kendal Thompson Landry Jones Durron Neal Jalen Saunders Aaron Colvin Drew Allen Lamar Harris Jaz Reynolds Trey Metoyer Michael Hunnicutt Lacolton Bester Justin Brown Frank Shannon Tom Wort Austin Brown Roy Finch Cortez Johnson Kass Everett Danzel Williams Brennan Clay Trey Franks Aaron Franklin David Smith Zack Sanchez Damien Williams Gary Simon Alex Ross Grant Bothun Quentin Hayes Javon Harris Daniel Franklin Marshall Musil Trey Millard Daniel Brooks Julian Winters Joel Ossom Tress Way Dylan Seibert Brandon Young

DB DB WR WR LB DB LB RB DB DB QB DE QB DE QB QB WR WR DB QB DB WR WR K WR WR LB LB WR RB DB DB RB RB DB LB RB DB RB DB RB WR DB DB LB FB FB RB RB FB P P DB

5-11 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-5 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-7 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-8 5-11 5-9 6-1 6-3 5-10

212 191 188 190 218 183 219 204 173 199 197 250 254 256 184 218 201 160 181 226 186 198 190 173 205 209 230 237 202 175 191 180 189 201 184 212 193 170 208 180 204 183 181 206 224 241 256 163 169 235 215 215 173

Jr. Chula Vista, Calif.

So. Moore Fr. Oklahoma City Jr. Encinitas, Calif.

Sr. Garland, Tx Sr. Lancaster, Tx Jr. Dallas, Tx Sr. Lawton Jr. Dallas Jr. Tulsa Fr. San Antonio So. Fort Worth So. Wichita,Kan. Sr. Fort Worth R-Fr. Oklahoma City Sr. Artesia, N.M. Fr. St. Louis, Mo. Jr. Elk Grove, Calif.

Jr. Owasso Jr. San Antonio Sr. Gilmer, Tx Jr. Houston, Tx Fr. Whitehouse, Tx So. Richardson, Tx Jr. Scooba, Miss.

Sr. Wilmington, Del. R-Fr. Dallas Jr. New Braunfels, TX R-Fr. Buffalo, Wyo. Jr. Niceville, Fla. So. NewOrleans, La. Jr. Philadelphia, Pa. R-Fr. Arlington, Tx Jr. San Diego Jr. Orange, Tx So. Marshall, Tx Fr. Midlothian, Ill. Fr. Keller, Tx Jr. San Diego Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Jenks Fr. Rowlett, Tx So. Lancaster, Tx Sr. Lawton Sr. Mount Airy, Ga. Jr. La Crosse, Kan. Jr. Columbia, Mo. Fr. Port Lavaca, Tx So. Sacramento, Calif.

Sr. Denton, Tx Sr. Tulsa R-Fr. Tulsa So. Frisco, Tx

38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 56 59 64 67 68 69 71 72 74 75 77 78 79 80 80 81 82 84 84 85 86 87 88 89 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

Jack Steed K Nick Hodgson K P.L. Lindley LB Eric Striker LB Jesse Paulsen DB Patrick O’Hara K Jaydan Bird LB Caleb Gastelum LB Eric Doughtie DB Alex Christiensen FB Eric Hosek K Aaron Ripkowski FB David Driskill FB Austin Woods OL John-Philip Hughes OL Casey Walker DT Nila Kasitati OL Ty Darlington OL Nathan Hughes OL Gabe Ikard OL Robert Hollis OL Bronson Irwin OL Lane Johnson OL Tyrus Thompson OL Derek Farniok OL Adam Shead OL Tyler Evans OL Marquis Anderson DT Kyle Marrs OL Daryl Williams OL Jordan Phillips DT Derrick Woods WR Sam Grant TE Brannon Green TE Mike Onuoha DE Don Caudill WR Geneo Grissom TE Brandon Kitchens WR Derrick Bradley WR Taylor McNamara TE Connor Knight TE Chase Buck TE David King DE Charles Tapper DE Stacy McGee DT Jordan Wade DT Torrea Peterson DT Damon Williams DT Mitch Tate DE Jamarkus McFarland DT Chuka Ndulue DE Chaz Nelson DE

■

Oct. 27, 2012

NOTRE DAME ROSTER 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-5 6-9 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-7 6-2 6-5 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-8 6-5 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2

200 189 240 198 193 192 236 196 197 243 150 260 239 293 250 309 309 266 248 288 333 307 303 303 319 307 315 265 320 299 318 185 234 250 235 194 247 161 173 234 212 231 286 265 299 290 277 305 238 288 256 239

Fr. Katy, Tx So. N. Richland Hills, Tx R-Fr. R. Rock, Tx Fr. Seffner, Fla. Sr. Albuquerque, N.M. Sr. Topeka, Kan. Sr. Wichita, Kan. So. Claremore Fr. Sugarland, Tx Fr. Edmond R-Fr. Sherman, Tx So. Dayton, Ohio So. Oklahoma City Jr. Rockwall, Tx R-Fr. Tulsa Sr. Garland, Tx R-Fr. Euless, Tx Fr. Apopka, Fla. R-Fr. Spring, Tx Jr. Oklahoma City R-Fr. Tulsa Jr. Mustang Sr. Groveton, Tx So. Pflugerville, Tx R-Fr. Sioux Falls, S.D. So. Cedar Hill, Tx Sr. Strafford, Mo. R-Fr. Cibolo, Tx Fr. San Antonio, Tx So. Lake Dallas, Tx R-Fr. Towanda, Kan. Fr. Inglewood, Calif.

Fr. North Royalton, Ohio Jr. Altamont, Kan. Fr. Edmond Jr. Muldrow So. Hutchinson, Kan. Fr. Jenks Sr. Houston, Tx Fr. San Diego, Calif.

Fr. San Antonio, Jr. Edmond Sr. Houston Fr. Baltimore Sr. Muskogee Fr. Round Rock, Tx So. San Antonio So. Irving, Tx R-Fr. Bartlesville Sr. Lufkin, Tx So. Dallas Jr. Columbus, Ohio

1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 38 39 39 40 41 42 43

Kiel, Gunner Brown, Chris Jackson, Bennett Carlisle, Amir Atkinson III, George Hardy, Eilar Golson, Everett Te'o, Manti Riddick, Theo Russell, KeiVarae Jones, TJ Tuitt, Stephon Moore, Kendall Nix III, Louis Toma, Robby Daniels, DaVaris Rees, Tommy Williams, Ishaq Hendrix, Andrew Spond, Danny Massa, Luke McCarthy, Dan Badger, Chris Fiessinger, Charlie Motta, Zeke Koyack, Ben Neal, Davonte' Wood, Cierre Brown, Jalen Shumate, Elijah Wood, Lo Salvi, Chris Slaughter, Jamoris Brindza, Kyle Collinsworth, Austin Baratti, Nicky Councell, Ben Turner, John Mahone, Will McDaniel, Cam Prosise, C.J. Romano, Joe Turk, Ben Salvi, Will Lee, Eric Fitzpatrick, Nick Schmidt, Joe Liebscher, Ryan Rhodes, Jude Tausch, Nick Farley, Matthias Soto, Ernie Atkinson, Josh

QB WR CB RB RB S QB LB RB CB WR DE LB NG WR WR QB LB QB LB WR S S QB S TE WR RB CB S CB S S K/P S S LB S RB RB S CB P CB WR WR LB WR K/P K S S CB

6-4 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-2 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-6 6-1 6-3 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-5 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-5 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-10 5-9 5-8 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-9 5-11

210 172 185 185 210 185 185 255 200 182 190 303 242 326 185 190 210 255 220 248 225 205 193 185 215 253 171 215 199 198 195 190 200 225 202 206 240 207 211 195 208 175 186 176 180 170 230 205 180 201 200 188 185

Fr. Columbus, IN Fr. Hanahan, SC Jr. Hazlet, NJ So. Santa Clara,CA So. Stockton, CA So. Reynoldsburg, OH So. Myrtle Beach, SC Sr. Laie, HI Sr. Manville, NJ Fr. Everett, WA Jr. Roswell, GA So. Monroe, GA Jr. Raleigh, NC Jr. Jacksonville, FL Sr. Laie, HI So. Vernon Hills, IL Jr. Lake Forest, IL So. Brooklyn, NY Jr. Cincinnati, OH Jr. Littleton, CO Jr. Cincinnati, OH GS Youngstown, OH Fr. Provo, UT So. Mason, OH Sr. Vero Beach, FL So. Oil City, PA Fr. Scottsdale, AZ Sr. Oxnard, CA So. Irving, TX Fr. East Orange, NJ Jr. Apopka, FL Sr. Lake Forest, IL GS Stone Mountain, GA So. Canton, MI Jr. Fort Thomas, KY Fr. Tomball, TX So. Asheville, NC Fr. Indianapolis, IN Fr. Austintown, OH So. Coppell, TX Fr. Petersburg, VA Jr. River Forest, IL Sr. Davie, FL Sr. Lake Forest, IL So. West Des Moines, IA Sr. Mishawaka, IN So. Orange, CA Jr. Colorado Springs, CO Jr. Kapsowar, Kenya Sr. Plano, TX So. Charlotte, NC So. Davie, FL So. Stockton, CA

44 45 46 46 47 48 49 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 78 80 81 82 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 94 96

Calabrese, Carlo LB Okwara, Romeo LB Anderson, Josh WR McOsker, Eamon S Cavalaris, Connor S Fox, Dan LB Breslau, Blake S Plantz, Tyler RB Hounshell, Chase DE Heggie, Bruce C Cave, Braxston C Utupo, Justin DE Walsh, Kevin LB Shembo, Prince LB Rabasa, Anthony LB Golic Jr.., Mike OL Grace, Jarrett LB Cowart, Jordan LS Daly, Scott LS Tansey, Matt OL Patton, Grant DE Nichols, Tate OL Hanratty, Conor OL Watt, Chris OL Carr, Kevin DE Springmann, Tony NG Martin, Zack OL Mahoney, Dennis OL Martin, Nick OL Furlong, Dan OL Lombard, Christian OL Harrell, Mark OL Hegarty, Matt C Stanley, Ronnie OL Eifert, Tyler TE Goodman, John WR Ferguson, Justin WR Welch, Alex TE Martinez, Gerard WR Smith, Andre WR Niklas, Troy TE Martinez, Arturo DE Smith, Daniel WR Golic, Jake TE Lewis-Moore, Kapron DE Day, Sheldon DE Stockton, Tyler NG Little, Connor LB Jones, Jarron DE Schwenke, Kona NG

6-1 6-4 5-9 6-1 6-0 6-3 5-10 5-9 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-6 6-8 6-5 6-3 6-7 6-6 6-4 6-7 6-4 6-7 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-4

245 239 180 200 194 240 185 202 275 285 304 258 220 250 240 300 240 230 245 270 256 320 305 310 325 300 304 294 290 250 309 287 296 304 251 215 196 250 200 190 260 250 215 245 306 286 285 225 299 290

Sr. Verona, NJ Fr. Charlotte, NC Fr. Chatsworth, CA Fr. San Pedro, CA So. Lake Forest, IL Sr. Rocky River, OH Sr. San Diego, CA Jr. Fr.ankfort, IL So. Kirtland, OH Jr. Sorrento, FL GS Granger, IN Jr. Lakewood, CA Sr. Bettendorf, IA Jr. Charlotte, NC So. Miami, FL GS West Hartford, CT So. Cincinnati, OH Sr. Plantation, FL Fr. Downers Grove, IL Sr. Berkeley Heights, NJ Sr. Louisville, KY Jr. Walton, KY So. New Canaan, CT Sr. Glen Ellyn, IL Jr. Nashville, TN So. Fort Wayne, IN Sr. Indianapolis, IN Sr. Baltimore, MD So. Indianapolis, IN Fr. Livonia, MI Jr. Inverness, IL Fr. Charlotte, NC So. Aztec, NM Fr. Las Vegas, NV Sr. Ft. Wayne, IN GS Fort Wayne, IN Fr. Pembroke Pines, FL Jr. Cincinnati, OH Fr. Las Vegas, NV So. Davie, FL So. Fullerton, CA Jr. Miami, FL Jr. South Bend, IN Sr. West Hartford, CT GS Weatherford, TX Fr. Indianapolis, IN Sr. Linwood, NJ So. Lake Elmo, MN Fr. Rochester, NY Jr. Hauula, HI

69, Lane Johnson 71, Tyrus Thompson

FB: When Sooners take receiver off the field 33, Trey Millard 48, Aaron Ripkowski 85, Geneo Grissom 88, Tyler McNamara

TB: 6, Theo Riddick 4, George Atkinson III

CB: 6, Demontre Hurst 15, Lamar Harris

Oct. 27, 2012

WR: 81, John Goodman 87, Daniel Smith

DT: 97, Jamarcus McFarland 53, David King DE: 53, David King 84, Mike Onuoha

7, Corey Nelson 25 Aaron Franklin

21, Tom Wort 20, Frank Shannon

SS:

80, Tyler Eifert 18, Ben Koyack

LB:

LB:

NB: 9, Gabe Lynn 2, Julian Wilson

1, Tony Jefferson 42, Jesse Paulsen

TE:

RT: 74, Christian Lombard 64, Tate Nichols

RG: 57, Mike Golic 77, Matt Hegarty

DT: 53, Casey Walker 80, Jordan Phillips

QB: 5, Everett Golson 12, Andrew Hendrix

C: 52, Braxston Cave 57, Mike Golic

LG: 66, Chris Watt 65, Connor Hanratty

70, Zack Martin 78, Ronnie Stanley

WHEN OKLAHOMA HAS THE BALL

LT:

FS:

DE: 98, Chuka Ndulue 11, R.J. Washington

CB: 14, Aaron Colvin 27, Gary Simon

41, Matthias Farley 24, Chris Salvi

WR: 7, Ty Jones 10, DaVaris Daniels

DE: 7, Stephon Tuitt 69, Tony Springmann CB: 2, Bennett Jackson 21, Jalen Brown

SS:

WR: 19, Justin Brown 13, Durron Neal

TE:

17, Tunde Bakare 57, Jake Love

LB:

DE: 55, Manti Te’o 59, Jarrett Grace

48, Dan Fox 44, Carlo Calabrese

LB:

55, Prince Shembo 11, Ishaq Williams

17, Zeke Motta 29, Nicky Baratti

WR: 9, Robby Toma 19, Davonte Neal

TB: 26, Damien Williams 8, Dominique Whaley RT: 79, Darryl Williams 72, Derek Farniok

NG: 9, Louis Nix 96, Kona Schwenke

RG: 68, Bronson Irwin 50, Austin Woods

QB: 12, Landry Jones 10, Blake Bell

DE: 89, Kapron Lewis-Moore 91, Sheldon Day

C: 64, Gabe Ikard 56, Ty Darlington

LT:

■

LG: 74, Adam Shead 50, Austin Woods

LB:

CB: 6, KeiVaaire Russell 43, Josh Atkinson

FS:

SR: 14, Jalen Saunders 3, Sterling Shepard

WR: 4, Kenny Stills 17, Trey Metoyer

The Norman Transcript GAMEDAY 7

WHEN NOTRE DAME HAS THE BALL 30, Javon Harris 9, Gabe Lynn

■

Photo by Jerry Laizure

WR ■ 5-10 ■ 188 ■ Fr. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Career: Six games, 19 catches, 252 yards, two touchdowns

3

Sterling Shepard

10

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

\Opp.

SCHEDULE Sept. 1 at UTEP Sept. 8 Florida A&M Sept. 22 Kansas St. Oct. 6 at Texas Tech Oct. 13 Texas Oct. 20 Kansas Oct. 27 Notre Dame Nov. 3 at Iowa State Nov. 10 Baylor Nov. 17 at W. Virginia Nov. 24 OSU Dec. 1 at TCU

W, 24-7 W, 69-13 L, 24-19 W, 41-20 W, 63-21 W, 52-7 7 p.m.

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

STATS Att Williams 74 Whaley 38 Clay 29 Millard 14 Finch 6 Bell 31 Stills 2 Shannon 1 Jones 8 Total 203

(Six games) Rushing Yds Y/C TD 552 7.5 7 241 6.3 1 211 7.3 3 109 7.8 0 61 10.2 1 59 1.9 8 22 11.0 0 19 19.0 0 -76 -9.5 0 1198 5.9 20

Lg 95 18 41 20 17 10 13 19 0 95

Y/G 92.0 48.2 35.2 18.2 10.2 9.8 3.7 3.8 -12.7 199.7

221

829 3.8 5 Passing Eff C-A-I Pct Jones 143.9 134-213-3 62.9 Bell 119.2 7-12-0 58.3 Total 142.6 141-225-3 62.7 Opp. 94.1 94-181-8 51.9 Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Stills 38 471 12.4 4 Brown 24 299 12.5 2 Shepard 19 252 13.3 2 Millard 13 201 15.5 2 Metoyer 13 108 8.3 1 Williams 11 134 12.2 0 Saunders 5 88 17.6 0 Clay 4 44 11.0 0 Whaley 4 14 3.5 0 Green 3 45 15.0 1 Bester 3 29 9.7 0 Neal 2 38 19.0 0 Musil 1 12 12.0 0 Finch 1 5 5.0 0 Total 141 1740 12.3 12 Opp. 94 981 10.4 3 Tackles (leaders) S A T Loss Jefferson 32 16 48 2.0-3 Harris 20 14 34 1.0-4 Wort 13 13 26 3.5-19 Ndulue 16 8 24 3.0-4 Colvin 19 5 24 Nelson 15 8 23 3.5-13 Hurst 16 6 22 Washington11 11 22 1.5-6 Franklin 14 5 19 1.0-8 McFarland 8 9 17 4.0-13 Wilson 10 6 16 1.0-2 Shannon 9 5 14 1.0-10 Bird 7 7 14 0.5-1 Lynn 11 3 14 2.0-3

71 138.2 Yds. TD 1653 12 87 0 1740 12 981 3 A/G 78.5 49.8 42.0 33.5 18.0 22.3 44.0 7.3 2.8 7.5 4.8 7.6 6.0 0.8 290.0 163.5

Sack

1.0-11 2.5-3 1.0-8

1.0-8 2.0-9 1.0-10

TE A M NUMBERS SCORING Points per game FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing

OU 268 44.7 146 59 83 4 1198 1320 122 203 5.9 199.7 20

Opp. 92 15.3 95 42 46 7 829 944 115 221 3.8 138.2 5

PASSING YARDAGE 1731 986 C-A-I 140-224-3 94-181-8 Average per pass 7.7 5.4 Average per catch 12.4 10.5 Average per game 288.5 164.3 TDs Passing 12 3 TOTAL OFFENSE 2929 1815 Total Plays 427 402 Average per play 6.9 4.5 Average per game 488.2 302.5 3rd-DOWN Conversions 40-78 38-97 Percentage 51% 39% 4th-DOWN Conversions 2-2 1-5 Percentage 100% 20%

Oct. 27, 2012

Game: What tradition’s about • Continued from Page 4

Lg 68 46 31 73 27 38 32 14 13 18 13 25 12 5 73 75

■

there and cutting it loose.”

Games like tonight’s between the Sooners (5-1) and Fighting Irish (7-0) can separate great programs from great teams.

It isn’t the mere fact that two top 10 teams will be meeting tonight in a game that has BCS implications.

It’s two storied programs that have collected a combined 14 national championships since the end of World War II, a dozen Heisman Trophies and built brands that are synonymous with college football success.

Many players admit that what drew them to OU was the potential to play in a game like this.

“This is a reason, getting in the spotlight,” OU offensive tackle Lane Johnson said.

Owen Field has been hosting Sooner football since 1923. There have been 457 games in that span. Only 14 have featured two top 10 teams with the last occurring in 2008 when then second-ranked Texas Tech entered and left a 65-21 los-

Notre Dame’s Theo Riddick carries against BYU last Saturday in South Bend, Ind. The No. 5 Irish are at Owen Field tonight hoping to remain unbeaten.

AP Photo

er. That victory propelled OU into a national championship duel with Florida.

“It’s gonna be pretty crazy,” defensive end David King said. “It’ll probably be the best since Tech came in here in 2008. It’s gonna be rockin’ in that stadium Saturday night.”

Texas Tech, though, was an upstart. Notre Dame is a traditional power that hasn’t played in Norman since 1966.

All the elements are in place for a memorable night

on the gridiron. The Sooners need a signature win to get back in the national championship race after the early loss to Kansas State.

The Fighting Irish need it to cement their status as a national title contender for the first time in years.

The Sooners have played many games like this over the years. Several have been in the Cotton Bowl against Texas. Some were against Nebraska in those legendary games in the 1970s and 1980s.

Players know about those games. At a place like OU, they can’t avoid knowing.

“There’s a great excitement,” defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland said.

“We’ve seen highlights and other things ever since we first started getting recruited. This is gonna be a great a game that gets added to that list. I feel like this is the reason you come to a school of this caliber.”

John Shinn Follow me @john_shinn jshinn@normantranscript.com

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

Turk Team Total Opp.

SCHEDULE Sept. 1 vs. Navy Sept. 8 Purdue Sept. 15 at Michigan St. Sept. 22 Michigan Oct. 6 vs. Miami Oct. 13 Stanford Oct. 20 BYU Oct. 27 at Oklahoma Nov. 3 Pittsburgh Nov. 10 at BC Nov. 17 Wake Forest Nov. 24 at USC

W, 50-10 W, 20-17 W, 20-3 W, 13-6 W, 41-3 W, 20-13 W, 17-14 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

STATS (Seven games) Rushing Att Yds Y/C TD Riddick 95 451 4.7 3 Wood 65 393 6.0 2 Atkinson 37 301 8.1 4 McDaniel 20 114 5.7 1 Golson 42 81 1.9 2 Hendrix 7 34 4.9 0 Toma 3 23 7.7 1 Jones 1 8 8.0 0 Neal 1 7 7.0 0 Rees 4 -13 -3.2 1

Lg 55 37 56 19 23 14 9 8 7 2

Y/G 64.4 78.6 43.0 16.3 13.5 17.0 3.3 1.1 1.0 -2.2

1 -16 -16.0 0 0 -2.3 9 -26 -2.9 0 0 -6.5 285 1357 4.8 14 56 193.9 219 747 3.4 0 31 106.7 Passing Eff C-A-I Pct Yds. TD Golson 124.1 79-135-3 58.5 968 4 Rees 138.4 24-41-1 58.5 335 2 Hendrix 160.3 5-6-0 83.3 55 0 Team 0.0 0-2-0 0.0 0 0 Total 127.1 108-184-4 58.7 1358 6 Opp. 97.2122-223-12 54.7 1218 5 Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD Lg A/G Jones 21 275 13.1 2 31 39.3 Riddick 20 170 8.5 0 23 24.3 Eifert 19 319 16.8 3 38 45.6 Daniels 14 231 16.5 0 41 33.0 Toma 12 118 9.8 0 21 16.9 Smith 5 32 6.4 0 11 4.6 Niklas 4 68 17.0 0 30 9.7 Goodman 3 59 19.7 1 36 11.8 McDaniel 2 41 20.5 0 21 5.9 Koyack 2 28 14.0 0 23 4.0 Wood 2 9 4.5 0 9 1.8 Atkinson 2 4 2.0 0 4 0.6 Ferguson 1 9 9.0 0 9 1.3 Neal 1 -5 -5.0 0 0 -0.7 Total 108 1358 12.6 6 41 194.0 Opp. 122 1218 10.0 5 41 174.0 Tackles (leaders) S A T Loss Sack Te’o 33 36 69 2.5-2 Motta 17 23 40 1.0-3 Fox 13 20 33 2.0-7 1.0-2 Jackson 19 11 30 Russell 18 11 29 1.5-6 0.5-4 Tuitt 15 13 28 8.5-70 8.5-70 Calabrese 7 20 27 0.5-1 Shembo 10 17 27 3.0-12 2.0-10 Nix 9 17 26 4.0-11 1.5-6

TE A M NUMBERS SCORING Points per game FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Yards gained rushing Yards lost rushing Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing

ND 181 25.9 145 75 57 13 1357 1537 180 285 4.8 193.9 14

Opp. 66 9.4 110 41 61 8 747 926 179 219 3.4 106.7 0

PASSING YARDAGE 1358 1218 C-A-I 108-184-4122-233-12 Average per pass 7.4 5.5 Average per catch 12.6 10.0 Average per game 194.0 174.0 TDs Passing 14 5 TOTAL OFFENSE 2715 1965 Total Plays 469 442 Average per play 5.8 4.4 Average per game 387.9 280.7 3rd-DOWN Conversions 40-93 39-99 Percentage 43% 39% 4th-DOWN Conversions 2-4 4-9 Percentage 50% 44%

GAMEDAY

11

Watch: Can’t allow big plays • Continued from Page 5 quarterback has gotten hot in the last three games. He’s only been sacked twice in that span. That one sack or less streak needs to continue. The Fighting Irish are reliant on getting pressure from their front four without having to blitz.

If that doesn’t happen, OU should be able to pick Notre Dame apart.

Avoid the defensive disaster: One big reason for OU’s defensive has been a lack of big plays allowed.

Opposing offense’s have had to drive the field. OU’s starters haven’t given up a touchdown in two games because they’ve hardly allowed any plays longer than 20 yards. Make Notre Dame have to earn its way with long meticulous drives and the Sooners should be in good shape.

Complete passes: The Sooners showed against Kansas that it will come out throwing if necessary, and today they will do anything they can to spread out the Fighting Irish’s front seven.

The key is to complete

Sooner defenders Frank Shannon and David King combine on a tackle during OU’s 52-7 victory over Kansas last Saturday.

Transcript P hoto by Jerry Laizure

those early throws. Jones is playing well, but he’s only completing 62.7 percent of his passes. That average needs to be closer to 70 percent to create the effective ball-control passing attack the Sooners will need tonight.

Jamarkus McFarland and Casey Walker: The Sooners’ starting defensive tackles have exceeded expectations this season. They’ll get a boost with the return of fellow senior Stacy McGee

tonight. They’ll be tested by a Notre Dame offense that’s predicated on running the ball between the tackles.

They don’t need to do anything heroic, just continue filling in gaps against the run and collapsing the pocket against the pass.

Get turnovers: The reason OU’s faced with trying to claw its way back into the national championship race is turnovers. Three costly giveaways against Kansas

State has left OU chasing.

Notre Dame’s ability to get turnovers without committing them — the Irish rank 11th in the nation with a 1.29 turnover differential — has fueled its undefeated start to the season. Turnovers could be the deciding factor today.

When two highly ranked teams meet, mistakes often dictate the winner more than anything else. OU must stay away from them.

John Shinn Follow me @john_shinn jshinn@normantranscript.com

12

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY

Can he run on ’Bama?

Mississippi State’s Ballard has helped Bulldogs to perfect start, but today he’ll try it at Tuscaloosa

By David Brandt AP Sports Writer

STARKVILLE, Miss. — First there was Anthony Dixon. Then there was Vick Ballard. While both are now in the NFL, the string of great Mississippi State running backs continues.

The latest is LaDarius Perkins, who is putting up big numbers for the No. 13 Bulldogs (7-0, 3-0 SEC) as they prepare to face No. 1 Alabama (7-0, 4-0) today.

There are bigger names in the conference — South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, Alabama’s Eddie Lacy and Texas A&M’s do-everything quarterback Johnny Manziel — but it’s the 5-foot-10, 190pound Perkins who leads the SEC with 103.4 rushing yards per game. He’s also fourth in

the league with eight touchdowns.

His name is unfamiliar to many in the SEC. But Alabama is learning quickly.

“A lot of people haven’t heard of him,” Alabama’s linebacker Nico Johnson says.

“That means he’s going to come in with a chip on his shoulder, you know? I like to think we’re a good defense this year; he’s probably thinking that, too. So this is his chance to showcase what he can do.”

So far, Perkins has shown he can do just about anything.

He was the backup to Ballard over the past two seasons, and because of his smaller stature, was used mostly on outside running plays where he didn’t have to deal with the 300-pound behemoths that clog the middle of SEC defenses.

AP Photo

Mississippi State running back LaDarius Perkins (27) evades Auburn defensive back T’Sharvan Bell earlier this season. The Bulldogs are at Alabama today.

But now he’s the starter and has shown he can run between the tackles with success. He’s averaged exactly 100 yards in the team’s three SEC victories.

Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said Perkins has deceptive strength, and learned how to handle the increased load by watching

Dixon and Ballard.

“I think in the development of our program, our guys learn from guys in front of them,” Mullen said. “He just picked up on that.”

Now Perkins gets to test his running skills against arguably the best defense in college football. Alabama is • See RUNNER Page 13

Today’s Games EAST Temple (3-3) at Pittsburgh (3-4), 11 a.m.

Ball St. (5-3) at Army (1-6), 11 a.m.

St. Francis (Pa.) (3-5) at CCSU (1-6), 11 a.m.

New Hampshire (6-2) at R. Island (0-7), 11 a.m.

Yale (2-4) at Columbia (1-5), 11:30 a.m.

Princeton (4-2) at Cornell (3-3), 11:30 a.m.

Maryland (4-3) at Boston College (1-6), noon Colgate (4-3) at Bucknell (1-6), noon Fordham (4-3) at Holy Cross (1-6), noon Brown (4-2) at Penn (2-4), noon Albany (NY) (6-1) at Sacred Heart (2-5), noon Robert Morris (2-5) at Wagner (4-3), noon Toledo (7-1) at Buffalo (1-6), 2:30 p.m.

Kent St. (6-1) at Rutgers (7-0), 2:30 p.m.

Towson (3-4) at Villanova (6-2), 2:30 p.m.

Harvard (5-1) at Dartmouth (4-2), 4 p.m.

Ohio St. (8-0) at Penn St. (5-2), 4:30 p.m.

Georgetown (3-5) at Lafayette (5-2), 5 p.m.

SOUTH Tennessee (3-4) at S. Carolina (6-2), 11 a.m.

Butler (6-2) at Davidson (1-6), 11 a.m.

E. Illinois (4-3) at E. Kentucky (6-2), 11 a.m.

Delaware (5-2) at Old Dominion (6-1), 11 a.m.

NC State (5-2) at N. Carolina (5-3), 11:30 a.m.

Stony Brook (7-1) at Presbyterian (2-6), noon VMI (2-5) at Gardner-Webb (1-6), 11:30 p.m.

Norfolk St. (2-6) at NC A&T (3-4), 11:30 p.m.

Howard (5-2) at SC State (3-5), 11:30 p.m.

The Citadel (4-3) at Wofford (6-1), 11:30 p.m.

Savannah St. (1-6) at Hampton (1-5), 1 p.m.

Ten. Tech (2-5) at Tennessee St. (7-1), 1 p.m.

Furman (2-6) at Elon (3-4), 2 p.m.

BYU (4-4) at Georgia Tech (3-4), 2 p.m.

Alabama A&M (6-1) vs. Alabama St. (4-3), 2:30 p.m.

Liberty (3-4) at Coastal Carolina (3-4), 2:30 p.m.

Navy (4-3) at East Carolina (5-3), 2:30 p.m.

Duke (6-2) at Florida St. (7-1), 2:30 p.m.

Florida (7-0) vs. Georgia (6-1), 2:30 p.m.

Georgia St. (1-7) at J. Madison (5-2), 2:30 p.m.

N. Texas (3-4) at M. Tennessee (4-3), 2:30 p.m.

UAB (1-6) at Tulane (1-6), 2:30 p.m.

App. St. (5-3) at W. Carolina (1-7), 2:30 p.m.

Maine (2-5) at William & Mary (2-5), 2:30 p.m.

NC Central (5-2) at B.-Cookman (5-2), 3 p.m.

Murray St. (3-4) at Jacksonville St. (4-3), 3 p.m.

SE Missouri (2-5) at Austin Peay (0-7), 4 p.m.

Troy (4-3) at FAU (1-6), 4 p.m.

Prairie View (2-5) vs. Southern U. (3-4), 4 p.m.

Georgia So. (6-1) at Chattanooga (4-3), 5 p.m.

W. Kentucky (5-2) at FIU (1-7), 5 p.m.

Texas A&M (5-2) at Auburn (1-6), 6 p.m.

South Alabama (2-5) at La-Monroe (5-2), 6 p.m.

Nicholls St. (1-5) at N’western St. (3-4), 6 p.m.

Syracuse (3-4) at South Florida (2-5), 6 p.m.

UMass (0-7) at Vanderbilt (3-4), 6 p.m.

UCF (5-2) at Marshall (3-4), 7 p.m.

S.F. Austin (3-4) at McNeese St. (4-3), 7 p.m.

C. Arkansas (6-2) at SE Louisiana (3-4), 7 p.m.

Mississippi St. (7-0) at Alabama (7-0), 8:30 p.m.

MIDWEST Indiana (2-5) at Illinois (2-5), 11 a.m.

Texas (5-2) at Kansas (1-6), 11 a.m.

Kentucky (1-7) at Missouri (3-4), 11 a.m.

N. Illinois (7-1) at W. Michigan (3-5), 11 a.m.

Iowa (4-3) at Northwestern (6-2), 11 a.m.

South Dakota (1-6) at Indiana St. (6-2), 1 p.m.

W. Illinois (3-4) at Missouri St. (2-6), 1 p.m.

Marist (2-5) at Valparaiso (0-7), 1 p.m.

Y’town St. (4-3) at S. Dakota St. (5-2), 2 p.m.

E. Michigan (1-6) at B. Green (5-3), 2:30 p.m.

Akron (1-7) at Cent. Michigan (2-5), 2:30 p.m.

Texas Tech (6-1) at Kansas St. (7-0), 2:30 p.m.

Ohio (7-0) at Miami (Ohio) (3-4), 2:30 p.m.

Purdue (3-4) at Minnesota (4-3), 2:30 p.m.

Michigan St. (4-4) at Wisconsin (6-2), 2:30 p.m.

S. Illinois (5-3) at N. Dakota St. (6-1), 3:37 p.m.

Illinois St. (6-2) at N. Iowa (2-5), 4 p.m.

Baylor (3-3) at Iowa St. (4-3), 6 p.m.

Michigan (5-2) at Nebraska (5-2), 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Mississippi (4-3) at Arkansas (3-4), 11:21 p.m.

Southern Miss. (0-7) at Rice (2-6), noon Utah St. (6-2) at UTSA (5-2), 1 p.m.

Memphis (1-6) at SMU (3-4), 2 p.m.

MVSU (2-5) at Ark.-Pine Bluff (5-2), 2:30 p.m.

TCU (5-2) at Oklahoma St. (4-2), 2:30 p.m.

Sam Houston St. (5-2) at Lamar (3-5), 3 p.m.

UTEP (2-6) at Houston (3-4), 3:30 p.m.

Grambling St. (1-6) at Texas So. (1-6), 4 p.m.

Notre Dame (7-0) at Oklahoma (5-1), 7 p.m.

FAR WEST UCLA (5-2) at Arizona St. (5-2), 2 p.m.

Colorado (1-6) at Oregon (7-0), 2 p.m.

E. Washington (6-1) at S. Utah (3-5), 3:05 p.m.

Southern Cal (6-1) at Arizona (4-3), 2:30 p.m.

Idaho St. (1-6) at Montana (3-5), 2:30 p.m.

Fresno St. (5-3) at New Mexico (4-4), 2:30 p.m.

Boise St. (6-1) at Wyoming (1-6), 2:30 p.m.

N. Arizona (6-1) at N. Colorado (2-5), 3:35 p.m.

Texas St. (3-3) at San Jose St. (5-2), 3 p.m.

N. Dakota (4-4) at Montana St. (6-1), 4:05 p.m.

Portland St. (2-5) at UC Davis (3-5), 4 p.m.

Washington St. (2-5) at Stanford (5-2), 6:15 p.m.

Hawaii (1-5) at Colorado St. (1-6), 6 p.m.

La. Tech (6-1) at New Mexico St. (1-6), 7 p.m.

UNLV (1-7) at San Diego St. (5-3), 7 p.m.

California (3-5) at Utah (2-5), 7:45 p.m.

Dayton (4-4) at San Diego (4-3), 8 p.m.

Cal Poly (7-0) at Sacramento St. (5-3),8:05 p.m.

Oregon St. (6-0) at Washington (3-4), 9:15 p.m.

The Norman Transcript

■

Oct. 27, 2012

GAMEDAY

Cyclones have quarterback issues Rhoads has even opened competition at the spot to untested freshman

By Luke Meredith AP Sports Writer

AMES, Iowa — By the end of October, nearly every team in the country knows what it has and what it doesn’t.

Iowa State has become the team without a quarterback.

Issues at the game’s most important position have threatened to derail Iowa State’s once-promising season. The Cyclones (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) have dropped three of their last four games after a 3-0 start in large part because of the league’s worst passing attack.

It’s gotten so bad that

coach Paul Rhoads has made the starting job for today’s home game against Baylor (3-3, 0-3) a three-man race. Steele Jantz, Jared Barnett and untested freshman Sam Richardson all competed for the job this week.

“I want to see who the best guy is on the field and then also playing into it is what’s happened in games thus far this season,” Rhoads said.

Unfortunately for Jantz and Barnett, they’re used to such uncertainty. Each of them has been yanked from the No. 1 spot twice in the past year.

Jantz opened 2011 as the starter, only to lose the job to

Barnett midway through the season. Barnett was then pulled in favor of Jantz early in Iowa State’s loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Jantz barely made it to conference play before the coaching staff went back to Barnett — who played so poorly in last week’s 31-10 loss to Oklahoma State that Jantz finished the game.

The constant swapping has yet to produce any results. And since neither Jantz nor Barnett can seem to put it all together, the Cyclones have finally let option No. 3 get a serious crack at the job.

Richardson, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound native of Winter

Park, Fla., was a three-star recruit who redshirted last season. He started his first eligible season far behind Jantz and Barnett and never came close to challenging either one.

But Iowa State is 88th in the nation in passing yards, 98th in passer rating and last in the Big 12 with just 169.2 passing yards in league games.

It might just be time to see what Richardson can do in a game setting.

“I don’t know if he has to be two times better than (Jantz and Barnett). Jared was better than the other guys in practice last week,” Rhoads said.

Big 12 Standings Con. Overall 4 0 1.000 7 0 1.000 3 1 .750 6 1 .857 3 1 .750 5 1 .833 2 1 .666 4 2 .667 2 2 .500 5 2 .714 2 2 .500 5 2 .714 2 2 .500 5 2 .714 1 3 .250 4 3 .571 0 3 .000 3 3 .500 0 4 .000 1 6 .143 Today Texas at Kansas, 11 a.m.

TCU at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m.

Texas Tech at Kansas State, 2:30 p.m.

Baylor at Iowa State, 6 p.m.

Notre Dame at Oklahoma, 7 p.m, Nov. 3 Oklahoma at Iowa State Kansas at Baylor Oklahoma State at Kansas State Texas at Texas Tech TCU at West Virginia Nov. 10 Baylor at Oklahoma Iowa State at Texas Kansas at Texas Tech Kansas State at TCU West Virginia at Oklahoma State

Kansas State Texas Tech Oklahoma Oklahoma St. TCU Texas West Virginia Iowa State Baylor Kansas

13

On the air 11 a.m.

Tennessee at S. Carolina (ESPN) Iowa at Northwestern (ESPN2) Texas at Kansas (FSN) Delaware at O. Dominion (NBCSN) Mississippi at Arkansas (KSBI) Ball State at Army (CBSSN) Kentucky at Missouri (ESPNU) Temple at Pitt (CST) 2 p.m.

UCLA at Arizona State (FX) BYU at Georgia Tech (FSNPLUS) 2:30 p.m.

Michigan St. at Wisconsin (KOCO-5) Georgia vs. Florida (KWTV-9) USC at Arizona (ESPN2) TCU at Oklahoma State (FSN) Boise State at Wyoming (CBSSN) Duke at Florida State (ESPNU) Kent State at Rutgers (CST) 4:30 p.m.

Ohio State at Penn State (ESPN) 6 p.m.

Texas A&M a Auburn (ESPNU) Baylor at Iowa State (FSN) UMass at Vanderbilt (FSNPLUS) 7 p.m.

N. Dame at Oklahoma (KOCO-5) Michigan St. at Nebraska (ESPN2) C. Florida at Marshall (CBSSN) Valdosta St. at Shorter (CST) 7:30 p.m.

Mississippi St. at Alabama (ESPN)

Runner: Mississippi State RB will try to keep it going against Crimson Tide • Continued from Page 13 giving up just 195.6 total yards per game, including just 58.7 yards on the ground. Both numbers lead the SEC by a wide margin.

The Crimson Tide hasn’t given up 100 yards rushing to

a team this season — much less one person.

But Perkins is optimistic.

He said quarterback Tyler Russell’s emergence has helped open running room all season. Russell is fifth in the SEC in passing with 224.7

yards per game and has thrown 15 touchdowns.

“I feel like we have a great chance to run the ball, because I know we can throw the ball well too, so that’s going to open things up for us,” Perkins said.

Perkins won’t necessarily have to face the Alabama defense alone. Backup running backs Derrick Milton, Josh Robinson and Nick Griffin also all had good moments in various roles, while backup quarterback Dak Prescott

has rushed for three touchdowns this season in goal-line situations.

“They’ve got a really good scheme that they run the ball with, and lots of multiples in terms of how they present it, how they try to confuse

defensive players,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

But trickery alone probably won’t beat Alabama. The Bulldogs are going to need a few big plays — and Perkins is one of the most likely candidates to make one happen.

14

GAMEDAY

The Norman Transcript

game, too, Bob Stoops’ first season, when OU led Notre Dame by 17 points only to lose 34-30.

History shouldn’t make a difference. Games are decided on the field.

Fans know differently.

Fans know there’s a connection between the pain in the pit of their stomach and the scoreboard that’s about to flip the other way.

It works both ways.

In 2000, OU became a team of destiny after beating No. 11 Texas 63-14, No. 2 Kansas State 41-31 and No. 1 Nebraska 31-14.

So, in the fourth quarter at Texas A&M, Torrance Marshall brought an interception to paydirt. You knew it was coming.

But that is not OU’s history with Notre Dame.

Just as it’s been throughout the series of these two legendary programs, it is OU’s game to win or lose.

But the weight of history is immense. So it will remain until the Sooners finally beat the Irish again.

Clay Horning Follow me @clayhorning cfhorning@normantranscript.com

Oct. 27, 2012

THE WAY WE SEE IT

Horning: Past matters • Continued from Page 3 came at the expense of an Irish team that won only two games; not that it kept Paul Hornung from winning the Heisman.

That Notre Dame team that ended OU’s streak the following year in Norman?

Well, two weeks before the Irish beat the Sooners 7-0, Navy beat the Irish 206. And a week before the Irish were in Norman, Michigan State beat them 34-6. And the week after Notre Dame beat OU, Iowa beat the Irish 21-13.

Seems like everybody beat the Irish but OU. It was interesting to hear Landry Jones talk about Notre Dame. Jones appeared to get the historic significance without knowing the history.

“I think, for sure, these big non-conference games like this, playing big teams,” he said, “is what gets you remembered.”

Also, he said, “I am sure there are a lot of great games that have been played … I should probably read up on my history.”

Perhaps, and not just the old stuff, but the 1999

■

Clay Horning

John Shinn

Corbin Hosler

Michael Kinney

N. Dame (+10) at Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma 27-13 TCU (+7 1/2) at OSU Pick: OSU 31-19 Texas Tech (+7) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas State 33-24 Baylor (+2 1/2) at Iowa State Pick: Iowa State 28-24 Texas (+21) at Kansas Pick: Texas 42-24 Florida (-6 1/2) vs. Georgia Pick: Florida 24-13 Ohio St. (pick’em) at Penn St. Pick: Penn State 24-23 Michigan (+2 1/2) at Nebraska Pick: Nebraska 34-31 Ole Miss (+6) at Arkansas Pick: Arkansas 17-10 Tennessee (+14) at S. Carolina Pick: S. Carolina 31-10 Duke (+27 1/2) at Florida State Pick: Florida State 27-19* Mississippi St. (+24) at ’Bama Pick: ’Bama 31-13

N. Dame (+10) at Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma 30-17 TCU (+7 1/2) at OSU Pick: TCU 24-21* Texas Tech (+7) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas State 24-20 Baylor (+2 1/2) at Iowa State Pick: Iowa State 41-35 Texas (+21) at Kansas Pick: Texas 49-30 Florida (-6 1/2) vs. Georgia Pick: Florida 20-14 Ohio St. (pick’em) at Penn St. Pick: Penn State 21-20 Michigan (+2 1/2) at Nebraska Pick: Nebraska 38-34 Ole Miss (+6) at Arkansas Pick: Arkansas 35-24 Tennessee (+14) at S. Carolina Pick: S. Carolina 24-17 Duke (+27 1/2) at Florida State Pick: Florida State 41-28 Mississippi St. (+24) at ’Bama Pick: ’Bama 31-14

N. Dame (+10) at Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma 31-17 TCU (+7 1/2) at OSU Pick: OSU 45-31 Texas Tech (+7) at Kansas St. Pick: Kansas State 38-24 Baylor (+2 1/2) at Iowa State Pick: Baylor 38-24 Texas (+21) at Kansas Pick: Texas 42-17 Florida (-6 1/2) vs. Georgia Pick: Florida 31-24 Ohio St. (pick’em) at Penn St. Pick: Ohio State 35-17* Michigan (+2 1/2) at Nebraska Pick: Nebraska 24-17 Ole Miss (+6) at Arkansas Pick: Arkansas 34-24 Tennessee (+14) at S. Carolina Pick: S. Carolina 28-17 Duke (+27 1/2) at Florida State Pick: Florida State 45-24 Mississippi St. (+24) at ’Bama Pick: ’Bama 38-28

N. Dame (+10) at Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma 35-20 TCU (+7 1/2) at OSU Pick: OSU 42-39 Texas Tech (+7) at Kansas St. Pick: Texas Tech 24-22* Baylor (+2 1/2) at Iowa State Pick: Baylor 42-28 Texas (+21) at Kansas Pick: Texas 59-20 Florida (-6 1/2) vs. Georgia Pick: Florida 24-20 Ohio St. (pick’em) at Penn St. Pick: Ohio State 32-17 Michigan (+2 1/2) at Nebraska Pick: Nebraska 28-21 Ole Miss (+6) at Arkansas Pick: Arkansas 35-21 Tennessee (+14) at S. Carolina Pick: S. Carolina 31-24 Duke (+27 1/2) at Florida State Pick: FSU 55-10 Mississippi St. (+24) at ’Bama Pick: Bama 24-21

Last week (overall) Straight up: 12-0 (56-16) Spread: 9-3 (42-30) * Lock: 1-0 (4-2)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 11-1 (53-19) Spread: 5-7 (32-40) * Lock: 1-0 (5-1)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 8-4 (49-23) Spread: 7-5 (37-35) * Lock: 1-0 (4-2)

Last week (overall) Straight up: 9-3 (51-21) Spread: 5-7 (33-39) * Lock: 0-1 (2-4)