Inside The Huddle 8-29-13

G A M E D AY TA B L O I D F O R S O O N E R F O O T B A L L | F R E E

INSIDE THE HUDDLE THIS WEEK

NO. 16

Oklahoma vs.

Louisiana-Monroe UNDER CENTER

Boogie Knights The Trevor Knight era begins in Norman P10-11 ANALYSIS

Position breakdown The Daily sports desk examines the Sooners at every position P7 COLUMN

Tailgating Where to go and what to do before kickoff P6

CHASING SWITZER Stoops eyes all-time wins record P8

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INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, August 30, 2013

FIRST LOOK » OU’S 2013 SCHEDULE

Sooners face arduous schedule in ’13 INSIDE THE HUDDLE EDITOR

DATE

a Student Media publication in association with

160 Copeland Hall 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-2052 phone: 405-325-3666 email: dailysports@ou.edu

Dillon Phillips Inside the Huddle editor twitter: @DillonPhillips_ Julia Nelson Sports editor twitter: @Juliaaahhh Joe Mussatto Assistant sports editor twitter: @Joe_Mussatto Demetrius Kearney Sports reporter email: Demetrius.V.Kearney-1@ ou.edu Sam Hoffman Sports columnist email: samhoffman@ou.edu Kyle Margerum The Oklahoma Daily editor Kearsten Howland Advertising manager

OPPONENT

TIME

Saturday, Aug. 31

Louisiana-Monroe

6:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7

West Virginia

6:00 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Tulsa

11:00 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28

at Notre Dame

2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5

TCU

TBA

Saturday, Oct. 12

Texas

TBA

Saturday, Oct. 19

at Kansas

TBA

Saturday, Oct. 26

Texas Tech

TBA

Thursday, Nov. 7

at Baylor

6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16

Iowa State

TBA

Saturday, Nov. 23

at Kansas State

TBA

Saturday, Dec. 7

at Oklahoma State

TBA

Dillon Phillips dillon.phillips@ou.edu

O

U’s proverbial road to the national championship won’t be an easy one.

Considering last year’s results and the Sooners’ dearth of experience, it seems unrealistic to talk of national titles.

But that’s exactly what OU is doing.

Yes, the Sooners are breaking in a new quarterback and the majority of its defense and they’re coming off a season that could be best described as disappointing, but expectations are as high as ever in Norman.

While nothing is certain until the games are played, at least on paper, it appears the odds will be stacked against the Sooners in 2013.

According to several preseason publications, OU’s schedule ranks as the nation’s toughest. Highlighted by road trips to Notre Dame, Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, the Sooners’ schedule won’t offer any off weeks. Even traditional gimmes like Louisiana-Monroe, Tulsa, Kansas and Iowa State have all the makings of trap games.

If OU hopes to win its ninth Big 12 title under Stoops and make Big Game Bob the winningest coach in OU history, it will have to bring its A-game every week.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

depth chart

The Sooners’ starters vs. Louisiana-Monroe LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TE

WR

WR

WR

OFFENSE

71 Tyrus Thompson

Jr.

76 Jake Reed

Sr.

74 Adam Shead

Jr.

77 Dionte Savage

Jr.

64 Gabe Ikard

Sr.

56 Ty Darlington

So.

68 Bronson Irwin

Sr.

54 Nila Kasitati

So.

79 Daryl Williams

Jr.

72 Derek Farniok

So.

82 Brannon Green

Sr.

FB

RB

DE

DT

DT

DE

OLB

MLB

85 Geneo Grissom

Sr.

99 Chaz Nelson

Sr.

98 Chuka Ndulue

Jr.

95 Quincy Russell

Jr.

80 Jordan Phillips

So.

93 Jordan Wade

R-Fr.

91 Charles Tapper

So.

40 P.L. Lindley

So.

7 Corey Nelson

Jr.

25 Aaron Franklin

Jr.

20 Frank Shannon

So.

19 Eric Striker

So

9 Gabe Lynn

Sr.

89 Connor Knight

R-Fr.

88 Taylor McNamara

R-Fr.

11 Lacolton Bester

Sr.

24 Trey Franks or

Sr.

6 Dannon Cavil

Fr.

4 Hatari Byrd

Fr.

8 Jalen Saunders

Sr.

10 Quentin Hayes

Jr.

17 Trey Metoyer

So.

18 Ahmad Thomas

Fr.

3 Sterling Shepard

So.

2 Julian Wilson

Jr.

12 Derrick Woods

R-Fr.

23 Kass Everett

Sr.

14 Aaron Colvin

Sr.

27 Dakota Austin

Fr.

22 Cortez Johnson

So.

15 Zack Sanchez

So.

85 K.J. Young QB

DEFENSE

9 Trevor Knight

Fr.

FS

SS

NICKEL

LCB

R-Fr.

10 Blake Bell

Jr.

1 Kendal Thompson

So.

33 Trey Millard

Sr.

48 Aaron Ripkowski

Jr.

24 Brennan Clay or

Sr.

26 Damien Williams

Sr.

RCB

3

4

inside the huddle

• Friday, August 30, 2013

guest column

Warhawks ready to ‘put a ball down’ Saturday guest columnist

fourth and one at the 16-yard line. Any sane head coach would kick, take the three points, and play for a second overtime. Not Todd Berry, or “The Riverboat Gambler,” as the ULM student body affectionately knows him.

The gamble paid off exponentially as ULM won, 34-31, and was immediately catapulted into the college Drew McCarty football spotlight, a place mccasrtdp@warhawks.ulm.edu unfamiliar. This was the first Before Sept. 8, 2012, time that not only ULM, but Monroe, La., was a city any team from the Sun Belt known more for the beardConference had beaten a ed, duck-hunting television team ranked in the top 10. stars from Duck Dynasty In the weeks after, the than an FBS-level football team lost at Auburn in overteam. time and at home against On that date, the Baylor by just five points.

Warhawks from the For the first time in 25 years University of Louisiana (ULM won the Division II at Monroe, led by head football national championcoach Todd Berry, made ship in 1987), the people of a short four-hour drive to northeast Louisiana had a Little Rock, Ark., to face the team to rally behind. eighth-ranked Arkansas Berry looks to build off of Razorbacks. the 8-5 season and the first Down, 28-7, midway bowl appearance in school through the third quarter, history. things were looking grim at “I’m very excited about best. But then ULM began to this group,” he said. “This push the ball down the field year, and from this point on, behind the arm of the 2012 we should be a pretty mature Sun Belt Conference player football team. This is a group of the year, Kolton Browning. that has played an awful lot Things began to fall into of football. So many of these place, and the deficit was guys are four-year starters for lessened. Then it was gone. us.”

Tied at 28 at the end of regAlmost everyone from the ulation, the game went into 2012 campaign will be back. overtime.

ULM has 18 of 22 returnThe Razorbacks struck ing starters. This makes the first. The score was now 31Warhawks one of the most 28. ULM was down to its experienced teams in the last chance for points. It was nation and one of the most

KEY OPPONENT Kolton Browning Year: Senior Position: Quarterback Statistics: Threw for 3,049 yards and 29 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last year

confident.

Browning said he is excited for the challenges that await the team this season.

“We want to get that bad taste out of our mouths. We ended the year last year with a loss in the bowl game, and that wasn’t us,” he said. “The expectations for Oklahoma are to go in there and win the game, not just go there and compete. We’re pretty excited.”

If this team is one thing, it’s confident. They embrace the role of the non-automatic qualifying underdog.

“This group is very, very hungry to try and build off of last year,” said Berry.

Don’t sleep on the Warhawks. As they proved last season, anything can happen when they take the field. Last but not least, as we say in Monroe, “Put a ball down. Talons out!”

Drew McCarty is a journalism senior and sports editor at The Hawkeye

inside the huddle

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

5

Warhawks depth chart Offense LT

LG

65 Joseph Treadwell

Jr.

67 Jeremy Burton

Jr.

78 Jon Fisher

Sr.

55 Jimmy Chung C

RG

RT

TE

WR

WR

WR

QB

RB

Defense DE

DT

R-Fr.

66 Josh Allen

Sr.

68 Colby Mitchell

So.

77 Ben Risenhoover

Jr.

73 Trey Martin

Fr.

75 Demiere Burkett

Jr.

79 Brandon Bridges

Fr.

88 Harley Scioneaux

So.

89 Alec Osborne

R-Fr.

86 Je’Ron Hamm

Sr.

85 Tony Cook

So.

81 Rashon Ceaser

So.

83 Ajalen Holley

R-Fr.

8 Tavarese Maye

Sr.

23 Kenzee Jackson

Jr.

15 Kolton Browning

Sr.

6 Brian Williams

Fr..

2 Monterrell Washington

Sr.

28 DeVontae McNeal

So.

DT

DE

LB

LB

CB

S

H

S

CB

95 Darius Lively

Jr.

98 Malcolm Edmond

Jr.

76 Gerrand Johnson

So.

91 Kentarius Caldwell

Sr.

99 Joey Gautney

Jr.

18 Emmanuel Jeffries

Sr.

90 Ray Stovall

Jr.

44 Austin Moss

Sr.

3 Cameron Blakes

Sr.

48 Hunter Kissinger

So.

36 Cody Robinson

So.

34 Michael Johnson

So.

4 Rob’Donovan Lewis

Jr.

24 Trey Caldwell

So.

1 Isaiah Newsome

Sr.

32 Tre’ Hunter

R-Fr.

38 Mitch Lane

So.

42 Roland Veal

Jr.

10 Cordero Smith

Jr.

31 Lenzy Pipkins

R-Fr.

20 Justin Backus

R-Fr.

14 Vincent Eddie

Sr.

Western History Collections (3rd floor, Monnet Hall)

August & September

Souvenirs of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Advertising in the West B.M. Bower: Female Pioneer of Western Fiction Good Miles of Hospitality: Traveling America with the Fred Harvey Company

October - December

From the Pueblos to the Northern Plains: American Indian Art

History of Science Collections (5th Floor, Bizzell)

On Exhibit September 2013: Crossing Cultures October 2013 - Feburary 2014: Tracings of Science: Stonehenge to Galileo

6

inside the huddle

• Friday, August 30, 2013

column

Gameday tailgating provides plenty of fun inside the huddle editor

Dillon Phillips

The pub boasts a wide variety of American entrees, but it’s best known for its large selection of burgers and beer offered to those looking to grab a bite or wet their whistle before kickoff.

Campus

OU’s campus reflects the spirit of its humble univerEDITOR’S NOTE: The following sity. Its quaint, simple beaustory is an excerpt of a column ty and modestly foliaged grounds provide the backwritten for publication by Yahoo! Sports. The full column drop for one of college football’s most famous venues: will run in mid-October on Gaylord Family-Oklahoma sports.yahoo.com Memorial Stadium. A stroll Places to eat/drink around the South Oval and When it comes to football a visit to the oft-decoratSaturdays in Norman, Okla., ed Seed Sower (ignore the the conversation starts and Instagram filter and the stops with Campus Corner. fact OU went on to lose that game by 17) at its southern Sitting just north of the inend is impressive enough. tersection of Asp Avenue But walk along Lindsey and Boyd Street and lined Street, which borders the on either side by restaustadium to the south, and rants and bars, Campus Corner has been a Norman visit the many tailgates landmark and nightlife hub scattered across the lawn, and I dare even the most since 1917. On gamedays, Asp is closed to traffic going unflappable fan to contain his or her goosebumps and northbound, and it becomes the epicenter for pre- butterflies. game activities.

O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Tailgating traditions Grille (located at 769 Asp Speaking of goosebumps: Ave. on Campus Corner) is a local favorite and must-visit each game, before the team for any college football fan. runs out of the tunnel, Although it no longer oc- SoonerVision plays an intro video on the 113.5-by-32.5 cupies its original location foot big screen that sits atop southeast of the stadium the bleachers in the south — it was torn down in 2011 end zone. The video, which to accommodate the construction of the new athletic is updated each season and dorms, Headington Hall — kept tightly under wraps it’s been around since 1968, until gameday, is the cause of much excitement among long enough to watch four fans in the buildup to each Sooner Heisman trophy season’s kickoff. winners and four national “Obviously the intro video championship teams play is always a big deal for us, on Owen Field. dillon.phillips@ou.edu

inside the huddle file photo from 2010

A group of fans tailgates prior to one of Oklahoma’s home football games during the 2010 season. OU went 12-2 that year and won its last BCS game, a 48-20 Fiesta Bowl victory against Connecticut. The Sooners finished the season ranked No. 6, their highest finish since 2008.

our fans,” said Pete Moris, OU assistant athletic director and director of communications. “Everybody is anxiously awaiting this year’s twist.”

The aforementioned Lindsey Street, which is closed between Asp and Jenkins on gamedays, is Norman’s “tailgate row.”

Starting early Friday morning, fans make the trek to Nompton with tents in tow to claim their tailgating spot. The practice has become something of an OU tradition, known as the “Friday Land Run.” Tents can’t be set up until noon

Friday, but that doesn’t stop eager fans from taping off sections of grass and setting up shop early in order to reserve a spot.

“The Friday Land Run wasn’t something that I had experienced until I got here,” Moris said. “It’s always intriguing to me to see some of the tailgate setups – the folks who have the satellite dishes setup out there so they can watch the early games and the pregame shows. People definitely get very creative with tents.

“It’s definitely got a very unique flavor, but I’d put the passion of Oklahoma

fans up against any that I’ve encountered previously.”

Northeast of the stadium, fans gather at Sooner Fan Fest for more pregame festivities. It’s setup east of Jenkins between Page and Brooks streets and consists of inflatable games for kids, live music, local food vendors and GoVision – a 16by-10 foot video board that shows games from across the country, according to SoonerSports.com.

“That’s been a very popular pit stop for fans, pregame,” Moris said. “We’re always looking to make it better and take a lot of

input from our fans.”

The RUF/NEKS, OU’s official all-male spirit group and the operators of the Sooner Schooner, and the Pride of Oklahoma, the school’s marching band, also make the rounds prior to kickoff, meeting with fans and partaking in the pregame pageantry.

Dillon Phillips is a professional writing senior and Inside the Huddle editor at The Oklahoma Daily. You can follow him on Twitter at @ DillonPhillips_

stadium map

inside the huddle

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

7

WHERE ARE YOU SITTING?

8

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, August 30, 2013

COVER STORY » CHASING SWITZER

Stoops sets sights on surpassing Switzer

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

9

Top Sooner coaches through the years

Legendary coach’s record could fall DILLON PHILLIPS

BOB

Inside the Huddle Editor

When Bob Stoops first arrived in Norman in 1999, expectations were low.

After four straight losing seasons, Sooner Nation just wanted a coach to win more games than he lost.

“People would tell me to just get the right number of people on the field for special teams, and we’ll be happy,” Stoops said.

At his introductory press conference on Dec. 2, 1998, as he spoke to the media and anxious fans about how he planned to reinvigorate the dormant powerhouse he’d just been hired to turn around, a colossal coaching legend stood just feet behind, peeking over Stoops’ shoulder.

That man was Barry Switzer, the namesake of the facility out of which the Sooners operated. The winningest coach OU football history. The King.

Switzer’s program record of 157 wins cast a large shadow over Stoops, but Stoops proved to be up for the challenge.

Almost 15 years later, Stoops is nine wins from surpassing Switzer, supplanting him as the program’s most successful coach.

While Stoops trails Switzer in national championships, 1-3, conference championships, 8-12, and has a slightly lower winning percentage, the team Stoops took over was much different from the one Switzer inherited.

STOOPS

149 8 1

157

BARRY

SWITZER

12 3

OVERALL WINS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

EVIN MORRISON/THE DAILY

OU coach Bob Stoops patrols the sidelines during the Sooners’ 63-21 romp of Texas on Oct. 13, 2013 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Stoops boasts a 9-5 record against the Longhorns, including wins in the last three meetings and four victories in which Oklahoma scored more than 60 points. The Sooners’ last loss to Texas was a 16-13 defeat in 2009.

“When I first took this job, I was trying to win a game, win more than I lost,” Stoops said. “And they hadn’t done that (here) in awhile. That’s not the case anymore. I think everybody is aware of that.

“So no, [breaking

Switzer’s record] wasn’t something I was thinking of (when I took this job).”

The college football landscape also has changed tremendously, making it more difficult to compare the coaches’ careers. There’s less disparity than ever

between the powerhouses, mid-majors and the bottom feeders. Top recruits no longer narrow their lists of school to the same few elite programs.

Still, Stoops has maintained an almost unparalleled consistency.

“Well, it says two things: I’ve been here a good while, and we’ve won a lot,” Stoops said. “There aren’t many places over the past 14 years where they’ve won more than 80 percent of their games. I think we’re one of only two (programs)

… that have done that in that period of time.

“I feel good about the consistency, but we need more.”

Dillon Phillips dillon.phillips@ou.edu

145

BUD

WILKINSON

14 3

10

inside the huddle

• Friday, August 30, 2013

analysis

Knight’s legs provide offense with spark Redshirt freshman has reputation for running ability A quarterback with wheels is the new trend in football.

The idea of a multi-faceted signal caller is gaining momentum in the NFL, its leaked into the college game and now it’s sweeping across the plains of Oklahoma.

Maybe it was peer pressure, the evolution of the game or a simple change of plans, but coach Bob Stoops is steering his program away from the restraints of a pocket passer.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Knight has broken free of the ties that contained OU passing wizards Sam Bradford and Landry Jones.

Both former quarterbacks were the ideal players to lead an offense that relied on pinpoint distribution of the ball to a bevy of receivers, but neither had an innate ability to pick up yards on the ground when the pocket collapsed.

Knight, along with fellow quarterbacks junior Blake Bell and sophomore Kendal Thompson, have the dual-dimension game.

A strong an accurate arm was the only needed qualification under the quarterback section for OU in the last half-decade or so, but now a quick pair of legs has been added to the list.

Knight obviously possesses the best of both qualities.

The redshirt freshman sure didn’t win the job on experience. He has none.

heather brown/the daily

OU redshirt freshman quarterback Trevor Knight scrambles in the pocket during OU’s Red-White Spring game on April 13. Knight went 8-for-15 for 87 yards and a touchdown as the White defeated the Red, 28-24. Knight beat out junior quarterback Blake Bell, sophomore quarterback Kendal Thomspon and freshman quarterback Cody Thomas for the starting spot.

“Watching practice a year ago we’d sometimes shake our head and say, ‘Wow, did you see that — ­ what he just did?’ He threw it into a little space and was making plays like that in practice quite often.” bob stoops, ou coach

Knight’s name began swirling during Cotton Bowl preparations when his job was to mimic the Heisman award-winning play of Johnny Manziel. But Stoops had recognized the quarterback’s skill before that week.

“I saw it ever y day at

practice running the scout t e a m,” t h e c o a c h s a i d .

“Watching practice a year ago we’d sometimes shake our head and say, ‘Wow did you see that — what he just did?’ He threw it into a little space and was making plays like that in practice quite often.”

Back then Knight’s play seemed like a tall tale – it’s hard to believe a scout teamer could be that good.

And although few have fully seen what Knight can do, all indications say he is that good.

Athletic, great speed, quick release and a strong leader are a few key attributes you’d like to see a quarterback have. These were all words Stoops used to describe Knight.

“His ability to run away from you is no joke, he’s legit,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said of Knight.

“His ability to run away from you is no joke. He’s legit.” mike stoops, ou defensive coordinator

So, the question is this: How w i l l O U ’s o f f e n s e l o o k w h e n i t t a ke s t h e field on Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe?

“It ’ll be different for sure,” senior center Gabe Ikard said. “Kind of how the game’s evolving now with a mobile quarterback things change a little bit. We’ll let you guys wait and see that.”

New plays out of the

same old formations?

New formations entirely?

Will the option return to Norman? All are possibilities, all are probable.

“It’s a new team. We’ve got a new quarterback; it’s a new system … It’s just really exciting,” senior fullback Trey Millard said.

Indeed it is. A new wave of transformed offense has arrived in Norman. On Saturday we’ll see how big the splash really is.

Joe Mussatto jmussatto@ou.edu

inside the huddle

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

11

column

Sooners’ new starter throws wrench in QB pecking order sports editor

PLAYER PROFILE Trevor Knight Year: RedshirtFreshman Position: Quarterback

Julia Nelson julia.nelson@ou.edu

The wait is over. The shroud of mystery has been lifted. Redshirt freshman quarterback Trevor Knight is the guy.

There’s been a lot of wondering about why Knight got the starting nod over junior quarterback Blake Bell.

There have been quite a few questions about how the two took the news. But there are another three players who are just as affected by the decision as Knight and Bell.

They go by the names Kendal Thompson, Cody Thomas and Justice Hansen.

Thompson probably got the worst deal out of everyone. After putting together a successful offseason, he could have easily been made the starter. But circumstances change, and Thompson broke his foot on the first day of fall camp.

The three-man race for the quarterback job quickly became a two-man battle. The injury effectively took Thompson out of the competition.

Thompson’s rehab is underway — he started running in the pool this week, coach Bob Stoops said — but with the depth chart finally set, Thompson will have a lot of catching up to do to make an impact.

Freshman quarterback

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas Statistics: Rated a four-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN, Knight threw for 2,092 yards and 27 touchdowns and added 943 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

sue ogrocki/the associated press

Oklahoma redshirt freshman quarterback Trevor Knight answers a question during a news conference on Aug. 3 at the team’s NCAA college football media day in Norman, Okla. Knight will start the season opener on Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

Thomas doesn’t have it much easier than Thompson, though. He came to Oklahoma after being drafted in the 30th round of the MLB draft by the New York Yankees. He joined the other three quarterback candidates during the summer.

T h o m a s d i d n ’ t h av e much of a chance. While he lit up the field at Colleyville Heritage, he currently sits

“If I’m Hansen, I’m seriously considering changing my commitment before National Signing Day.” behind Knight, Bell and Thompson on the depth chart.

Stoops said Thomas is

running the scout team at the moment. It’s a position he will likely keep throughout the season, as he redshirts this year.

He’ll have four years of eligibility left if he does indeed redshirt. Three of those will feature Knight as the starting quarterback, should he do well this season.

Th ou g h Th o ma s a n d Thompson have plenty to

seriously considering changing my commitment before National Signing Day. Hansen is far too talented to be coming to a school like Oklahoma, chock-full of talented quarterbacks. It’s getting crowded.

As much as the coaches want options, there are simply too many cooks in the kitchen.

The ramifications of the quarterback decision stem far deeper than just Knight and Bell. The decision to transfer has to be crossing the minds of Thompson, Thomas and Hansen.

It looks like things worked out well for Knight, but things are starting to look a little rough for the rest of the quarterbacks. Timing is everything.

be disappointed about, it would appear that Hansen might have the worst timing of all.

Hansen is an Oklahoma commit about to start his senior year at Edmond Santa Fe. He hasn’t even taken part in a single Sooner workout, but will likely play second or third fiddle during much of his Julia Nelson is a journalism senior and sports editor at time at OU. I f I ’ m H a n s e n , I ’ m The Daily

12

inside the huddle

• Friday, August 30, 2013

analysis

The sports desk’s position-by-position breakdown QUARTERBACKS The quarterback battle may be solved, but we still know little to none about redshirt freshman Trevor Knight’s abilities.

Teammates and coaches alike have praised his athleticism. Some have gone as far as comparing him to sophomore Texas A&M quarterback and recent Heisman Trophy w inner Johnny Manziel — calling Knight a “freak athlete.”

His skills will be on display on Saturday, but I doubt we’ll get to see a full range of anything Knight

can do. But, Saturday will be the first peek Sooner fans will get of the read option in Oklahoma.

Junior quarterback Blake Bell may also make an appearance against LouisianaMonroe. Coach Bob Stoops refused to tip his hand when asked if the Sooners would still employ the Belldozer, but all signs point to yes.

In addition, Bell has still been taking first team reps in practice, so it’s very possible he could get some playing time against the War Hawks.

RUNNING BACKS It’s rare to see a college football team boast a stud senior running back anymore. The lure of the NFL and the millions that early draft picks often receive is enough to persuade many players to leave school early.

So the fact that the Sooners somehow managed to stockpile, not one, not two, but three senior running backs is not only an anomaly — it’s pure dumb luck.

OU’s stable of senior running backs — Damien

Williams, Brennan Clay and Roy Finch — anchor one of the team’s strongest and deepest position groups.

Williams asserted himself as the Sooners’ top back early last season, and Clay operated successfully spelling Williams as a thirddown back.

Finch, who spent last year in the doghouse, has switched back to running back after a short stint at receiver in 2011. After a disappointing career thus far, he should provide OU’s backfield with a big-play threat.

OFFENSIVE LINE The offensive line is one group the Sooners don’t have to worry about going into the season opener.

Led by senior center Gabe Ikard, the offensive line returns four players who started 10 or more games last season and two more who made spot starts during the 2012 campaign.

Oklahoma also added three junior college guards in the offseason who are expected to be part of the rotation up

front.

The Sooners also have a new offensive line coach this season in Bill Bedenbaugh.

Bedenbaugh came to OU from West Virginia and has spent his time so far bulking up the line. In an offseason dominated by a quarterback battle, the offensive line has quietly solidified itself. The protection up front should be one thing the Sooners don’t have to sweat about, and that’s a good thing with freshman quarterback Trevor Knight taking the reins.

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inside the huddle

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

13

DEFENSIVE LINE

This year, the defensive line looks to improve on a 2012 season in which it allowed almost 200 rushing yards per game.

Unfortunately, that will be difficult. The Sooners still lack depth and experience up front, but that doesn’t mean that OU doesn’t still have pieces to build off of.

Junior defensive tackle Chuka Ndulue must again step up and be the leader that defensive coordinator Mike Stoops will expect him to be. He led the team in sacks last season with five and tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with six. If he can improve on those numbers, it will be a big boost.

Redshirt sophomore Jordan Phillips also

will be improved. He showed signs last season that he could be a force, racking up four tackles against Iowa State and Kansas.

And then there is JUCO transfer Quincy Russell. The San Antonio native’s arrival has been well documented, and the hype has been massive. He has been described as a “monster” by former teammates and his stats indicate this to be true. The difference is that now, he’s in Division I. The offensive lines at this level are bigger and faster.

He will have plenty of opportunities to prove the hype in this year’s difficult road schedule.

WIDE RECIEVERS

The 2013 OU receiving corps is made up of a variety of talent, from sure handed possession receivers to flat out burners. In an offensive system that relies heavily on the pass, a quarterback is only as good as the receivers he’s throwing to.

With the loss of primary targets Kenny Stills and Justin Brown to the NFL, newly crowned starter redshirt freshman Trevor Knight will be depending on both veteran and young receivers to help fill the void.

Expect Knight to rely heavily on the experienced senior Jalen Saunders who finished the 2012 campaign third on the team in receptions (62) and receiving yards (829).

Saunders is a reliable pass catcher who runs crisp routs and has a knack for getting open over the middle. His exceptional speed and shiftiness makes him an extremely valuable asset in the slot.

Sophomore receivers Durron Neal, Sterling Shepard and Trey Metoyer are all hoping to have breakout seasons. Metoyer, arrived in Norman last year to high expectations, but failed to live up to the hype, with a full offseason under his belt Metoyer will have every opportunity to prove his detractors wrong and play like a five star caliber receiver.

Neal and Shepard both played sparingly last season and will hope to build off of the early success they had by becoming reliable targets opposite Saunders out of the slot.

After catching 41 passes for 715 yards and five touchdowns off the field issues hampered any further success that redshirt senior Jaz Reynolds had after Ryan Broyles went down with a torn ACL in 2011. If Reynolds can stay focused he should make a positive contribution to the team this season.

LINEBACKERS Senior linebacker Corey Nelson will anchor the linebacking corps this season.

Nelson is one of four returning starters on the defense and a key asset to help stop the run.

With all the defensive departures last season, Nelson will be in a full-time leadership role this time around.

Alongside Nelson will be sophomore Frank Shannon. Shannon is filling in the gap Tom Wort left when he graduated. Shannon is no stranger to the middle linebacker position either.

Shannon played in 12 games last season and started two. Shannon has experience

as a linebacker, but don’t be surprised to see him defend the pass better than the average linebacker.

Aaron Franklin will be another contributor for defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. Last season, Franklin totaled 21 tackles and one sack, but expect that production to increase this season.

E xpect true freshmen Dominique Alexander and Jordan Evans to help the linebackers out this season. Alexander and Evans are two of many true freshmen that the Sooners will depend on for success this season.

DEFENSIVE BACKS With the re cent releas e of the Sooners’ depth chart and game day upon us, let’s take a look at the defensive backs, a critical position for Oklahoma if they hope to get back to being one of the top defenses in the country.

Senior cornerback Aaron Colvin was one of two Sooners named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team along with center Gabe Ikard. Colvin is widely praised as one of the top corners in the country. Last season, Colvin recorded 61 tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

Entering this season senior safety

Gabe Lynn, the former Jenks standout, will be playing his third position since joining the Sooners. Now at strong safety, Lynn will be using his versatility and knowledge of the defense as one of the defensive leaders. Can he put together a respectable season without any trouble?

Sophomore cornerback Cortez Johnson, a transfer from Arizona, is now back under Mike Stoops. Johnson will look to build off of the long wait and hard work he has put in since joining the Sooners last season as he gets the start opposite of Colvin at cornerback.

SPECIAL TEAMS This season will essentially mark a fresh start for the University of Oklahoma football special teams.

Jay Boulware joined the Sooners staff on March 1 as the tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. He spent the last four seasons at Auburn, where he led one of the top special teams units in the country and even won a BCS National Championship in 2010.

In 2012, Oklahoma’s kick return team ranked seventh nationally, while the punt return unit was eighth-best.

Two key pieces to the puzzle this year will be the special teams co-captains: junior kicker Michael Hunnicutt and senior long snapper Austin Woods.

“We’re excited about those guys and what they bring to the team, their leadership, all of that,” said OU coach Bob Stoops.

Combine d w ith the dire ction of Boulware, the Sooners’ special teams hope to not only improve on punt return defense (where they ranked 50th nationally a season ago), but develop consistency on kickoff coverage.

14

• Friday, August 30, 2013

inside the huddle

column

WIND

OU’s secondary may surprise Sooner faithful sports columnist

so many of his teammates decided to do, but to the liking of the Sooner faithful, he chose to stay for his senior season. He intercepted four passes last season and broke up 11. He is the leader that will aid the younger, inexperienced players in their assignments on and off the Sam Hoffman samhoffman@ou.edu field.

Alongside Colvin, junior ast season ended on cornerback Cortez Johnson a sour note. will start. Johnson transTexas A&M’s ferred from Arizona with then-freshman quarterback Mike Stoops, which will give Johnny Manziel picked him a better idea of Stoops’ apart the Sooner defense in defensive strategy compared a performance that had a lot to other newcomers. of Sooner Nation questionThe problem is: Johnson ing defensive coordinator will not play in the seaMike Stoops’ job security. son opener, Bob Stoops I’ll admit: It was a shelannounced in his press lacking that raised questions conference on Monday. that still loom the first week The suspension stems of the 2013 college football from Johnson’s arrest in season. Who wants to head December 2012 on a cominto the offseason giving up plaint of possession of a more than 40 points in three controlled substance. of the last four games?

Not only will OU miss That’s not the best sign for his presence on Saturday, a team that only returns two Johnson will not have an defensive starters. However, extra game of experience OU’s defense — and in par- under his belt. Louisianaticular, its secondary — may Monroe could have given not struggle as much as is him a good gage on where expected this season. his game is currently and The Sooners are returning where it needs to be in the one of their best defensive future. Instead, Johnson will starters from last year to lead experience his first snap the secondagainst West Virginia, a conary: All-Big 12 ference game. senior cornerIn his place will be redback Aaron shirt freshman cornerback Colvin.

Zack Sanchez, who will Colvin had gain valuable experience in a choice to Johnson’s place. stay in college Senior safety Gabe Lynn or leap for the aaron will help carry the load in NFL Draft like colvin the secondary with Colvin.

L

Last year, Lynn helped the Sooners in each game and will be expected to contribute more than his gabe 34 tackles last lynn season.

Surprisingly, two true freshmen could be the answer to containing some of the Big 12’s quarterbacks this season. Safeties Hatari Byrd and Ahmad Thomas most likely will make an impact on the field.

Physically, each player is ready to contribute in a big way. Byrd is listed at 6-foot1, 198 pounds and Thomas at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds.

And as much as Louisiana-Monroe looks like a warm-up game for the Sooners, its senior quarterback Kolton Browning will give the Sooners a solid idea of what to expect when facing Big 12 quarterbacks later this season. Browning threw for over 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns last season on his way to being named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.

Did I mention the Warhawks knocked off No. 8 Arkansas in their second game last year?

On Saturday, Sooner Nation will get a realistic look on how the secondary performs. Hopefully, it’s a good thing.

Sam Hoffman is a journalism junior and sports columnist at The Daily

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inside the huddle

Friday, August 30, 2013 •

15

ap college football

Cowboys will rely on defense against ’Dogs Spencer brings aggressiveness STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Don’t call Oklahoma State’s revamped defense “aggressive.”

New defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer has added some new wrinkles, and many observers have been using that word to describe the changes.

But Spencer, now preparing for Saturday’s opener against Mississippi State in Houston, doesn’t like labeling his particular brand of football.

“I haven’t said (the word aggressive), that’s being said a lot,” said Spencer, who was promoted after four years as the Cowboys’ linebackers coach, replacing Bill Young.

“All I know is, we just try to get them to play hard every snap. We try to get them to know situations and to execute what we want them to.

We’re demanding on them, we try to get them to be accountable to each other, and until you do that on a Saturday afternoon when the scoreboard’s on, all the talk doesn’t mean anything.”

A s f a r a s c o a c h Mi k e

Gundy is concerned, the Oklahoma State defense won’t be dramatically different from the unit that ranked sixth among the 10 Big 12 schools last season as the Cowboys went 8-5.

“Glenn has been here for a number of years, so he was very familiar with our personnel,” Gundy said. “We really haven’t adjusted very much on defense, it’s more of an attitude and a little bit of an approach.”

Defensive tackle Calvin Barnett, a senior who was All-Big 12 last season, feels that there is a greater sense of camaraderie in the group.

“He’s really helped us come together as a defense,” Barnett said of Spencer. “A lot of us hang out even more.

There’s always going to be groups within the team, but the groups have gotten bigger. We do a lot more together and that’s really helped our defense a lot. He wants to be more aggressive, but at the same time, he’s not letting us forget that we still are a family.”

There’s that word again.

Senior cornerback Justin Gilbert also used it.

“From my point of view, that’s pretty much how you

can describe our defense,” said Gilbert, who also serves as the team’s top kick returner. “He might have another word for aggressive as to how he’s saying it, but we’re pretty aggressive on defense right now. We’re playing tighter coverage at the back end, as opposed to playing soft, to allow those little five-yard gain plays.”

Senior safety Daytawion Lowe agreed. “ We’v e b e e n p l ay i n g aggressively,” Lowe said.

“We’re challenging the receivers to catch the ball and making the quarterbacks put it in a tight window.

That’s what every defensive player wants. You get turnovers that way.”

Mississippi State knows that the defense they face Saturday will not exactly match the one they’re watching on film from last year, and that makes preparing for them a little more difficult.

“They’re going to have a new personality this year because of a new coordinator, so part of it is you don’t know exactly what you’re KT king/the associated press going to see out of this year’s New Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer, left, gives instructions to the defense during t e a m,” sa i d c o a c h Da n practice on Aug. 2 in Stillwater in preparation for the fall season. Spencer is taking over defensive coordiMullen. nator duties from departing coach Bill Young.

16

Inside the huddle

• Friday, August 30, 2013

The Daily’s Sports Desk 2013 Pick ’em Challenge

WEEK ONE SEASON RECORD

North Carolina at No. 6 South Carolina

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Julia Nelson

Joe Mussatto

Demetrius Kearney

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0-0

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South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina

TCU

LSU

LSU

TCU

LSU

No. 1 Alabama vs.

Virginia Tech

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

No. 5 Georgia at No. 8 Clemson

Georgia

Georgia

Clemson

Clemson

Clemson

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

No. 12 LSU vs.

No. 20 TCU

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