Inside the Huddle: November 9, 2012

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

12

Oklahoma vs.

Baylor PREVIEW

Even without RGIII, it’s business as has been usual for the Bears P2 OPPONENT

Replacing a Heisman winner can be tough, but Florence is doing his own thing P6 FEATURE

145

Javon Harris used the heat he took after last year’s Baylor game to fuel a turnaround P14

Stoops at precipice of milestone One win separates coach from surpassing the legendary Wilkinson P8

4

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

OFFENSE » RUNNING BACKS

Clay gets long-awaited chance to shine Junior ready to answer call again for thin unit TOBI NEIDY Sports Reporter

Strip away the flashy, West Coast façade, and the man everybody knows as the third piece of OU’s “Cali Trio” is actually very down to earth.

Junior running back Brennan Clay had to quickly develop patience during his time with the Oklahoma football program after waiting nearly three and a half years for his big break.

After becoming the only high school player in California’s history to amass more than 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (2008), Clay came to OU as a four- or fivestar player, and many expected the San Diego native to make an immediate impact.

Instead, Clay spent most of his inaugural season in 2010 as a backup behind former standout DeMarco Murray while also seeing some action on kick returns.

But the real setback for Clay during his first season occurred against Florida State, when he had to leave the game after sustaining a concussion.

“I wasn’t the same after that,” Clay said.

Clay ended the season with just 127 net yards and no touchdowns.

He also didn’t fair much better during his sophomore term, finishing with 274 rushing yards, 104 receiving yards and one touchdown (against Tulsa).

Although he returned as the starting running back for the first three games in 2011, he was outshined quickly by walkon running back Dominique Whaley’s emergence.

When junior running back Damien Williams transferred from Arizona this offseason, Clay had yet another obstacle to overcome.

But though watching teammates take away minutes and playing opportunities was hard to stomach for Clay, he said he never lost sight of his overall goal: getting back on the field.

“I was patient because I knew (running back coach Cale) Gundy was putting the best players out on the field,” Clay said. “I knew I would get my opportunity, but I had to keep working in practice.”

His teammates noticed the tenacity he displayed during practice.

“Brennan is the type of kid that, regardless of what happens under the circumstances — if he is playing a lot or not playing — he comes to practice every day,” senior quarterback Landry Jones said. “When something good

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oklahoma junior running back Brennan Clay (24) celebrates with quarterback Landry Jones after scoring on an 18-yard SEE CLAY PAGE 5 touchdown run during the Sooners’ 35-20 win against Iowa State on Saturday in Ames. He finished with 157 rushing yards.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

5

CLAY: California native helped OU re-establish run game vs. Iowa State Continued from page 4 happens to those kind of people, you always want to cheer for them and get behind them.”

A n d C l a y f i n a l l y g av e h i s teammates something to cheer about in last week’s game against Iowa State with his first career 100-yard game during his first start since September 2011.

Clay’s fifth career start came on the heels of an injured Williams and a Whaley that still isn’t up to par after last year’s season-ending ankle injury.

Whaley has had just 39 carries in the Sooners’ eight games, a far cry from his 113 touches and 627 yards he had by this time last year (even though coach Bob Stoops has said Whaley is back to his old self several times in the weekly press conferences).

But when Clay found out last

PLAYER PROFILE Brennan Clay Year: Junior Position: Running back Last Week: 24 carries for 157 yards and one touchdown

week that he would get the starting nod against Iowa State, he said he knew this was the time to shine. “ I ha d n ’ t re a l l y g o t t e n a n opportunity to show what I could do,” Clay said. “I just put my faith in the Lord that I could go out there and perform.”

Clay’s 157 rushing yards helped t h e S o o n e r s re e s t a b l i s h t h e ground game to open up passing routes against ISU. Although OU

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OU junior running back Brennan Clay (24) runs past Iowa State defenders for an 18-yard touchdown run Saturday in Ames. Oklahoma won 35-20.

typically relies on a passing attack featuring Jones’ veteran arm, the Sooners said they don’t want to be one-dimensional.

But just as important as the individual performance was to

the win, having a player who has been contending for the starting role like Clay step up when the OU coaching staff needed him was equally valuable.

“I spend a lot of time talking to

my guys about it: You have to learn your role on this team,” Gundy said. “This is the University of Oklahoma, and there’s not a lot of people that can play four years because we recruit a lot of good players.

“I think the biggest misconception is that if you come here and aren’t a four- or threeyear starter, you didn’t have a good career. But that’s not true.”

And that’s the main reason Clay continued to buy into the Sooner program, even with the addition of starting running backs the past two seasons. “ I k n o w I’ m a t a b i g - t i m e program, and I take pride in perfecting my craft on the field,” Clay said. “I want to leave the legacy that I was a hard worker and came to play every day.”

Tobi Neidy, tneidy@gmail.com

6

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

OPPONENT PROFILE » NICK FLORENCE

Quarterback not worried about big shoes to fill Florence keeps Bears rolling despite exit of Robert Griffin III

KEY OPPONENT Nick Florence

DILLON PHILLIPS

Year: Senior

Assistant Sports Editor

Former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III took the college football world by storm last season.

He torched defenses and led the Bears to a third-place finish in the Big 12 — their highest in school history — and their first-ever win against Oklahoma.

Even his choice of socks for the Heisman ceremony — a pair of Superman-themed stockings, cape and all — garnered national attention, cementing him as one of the more gregarious players in recent memory.

This season, however, the Bears have turned the reigns over to senior quarterback Nick Florence. And there’s been no drop in offensive production.

With Florence under center, Baylor has the nation’s top-ranked total offense and No. 6 scoring offense.

“They still run the same things, from what I’ve seen so far — the same offense,” senior safety Javon Harris said. “Their quarterback now is also a good player. We’re not running into a brand new quarterback; we’re going in here and playing against a great team.”

Position: Quarterback Hometown: Garland, Texas

MICHAEL THOMAS/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Baylor quarterback Nick Florence (11) runs past Texas linebacker Kendall Thompson (35) during Baylor’s 56-50 loss to Texas on Oct. 20 in Austin.

Florence leads the country with 377 yards per game, ranks sixth in passing touchdowns and ninth in passing efficiency. He is on pace to break Griffin’s single-season school records passing yards and touchdowns. He also leads the nation in total offense, adding 351 rushing yards to his 3,019 passing

yards.

“They like to find the green grass on the field,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “They make you defend the field as well as anybody, so matchups become tough just because they’re so good at the skill positions. They can really isolate you and put you on an island.

“You’re going to have to play great technique, and our coverage is going to have to be better than it has been really all year.”

Replacing RGIII is nothing new to Florence. The Garland, Texas, native saw significant playing time in 2009, after Griffin suffered a season-ending knee injury, and again against Texas Tech last season, when a concussion kept Griffin from playing in the second half of that game.

“Any time you can get in and get reps, it’s invaluable experience,” Florence said. “You can practice, you can do all the things, but until you get in the game and do it, you don’t really have that edge.”

Make no mistake: Florence isn’t RGIII. But he’s not trying to be.

Florence, who’s already married and graduated with a degree in economics at 23, is a different animal entirely.

“I’m just wearing normal dress socks,” Florence said, grinning as he

lifted his khaki pant leg to reveal his chocolate-brown pair last summer at Big 12 media days.

There was once a time when winning half your conference games under center at Baylor was considered a successful season.

But not anymore.

After the Bears tore through Big 12 play last season — winning their last six games, defeating OU for the first time in school history and claiming the school’s first Heisman — they’ve thrust themselves into the national spotlight.

And Florence has done nothing but exceed increasing expectations.

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in the passion, the energy, the drive, the fearlessness he’s going to bring to the table for us,” BU coach Art Briles said. “I know him from the inside out. I know how he feels, I know how he thinks and I think I know how he plays.”

Although Griffin is certainly a tough act to follow, it’s a challenge Florence embraces and, ultimately, relishes.

“I’m pumped that I get to replace him. I got to be behind him for three years, and now I get a turn to play.

I’m excited for what he’s done for Baylor, for bringing the Heisman back there, and we just want to continue that tradition.”

Dillon Phillips, dphillips85@ou.edu

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

7

News from around the wide world of sports College Football » Penn State

NBA » Clippers

NBA » Thunder

Former Penn State president Spanier arraigned for lying about scandal

Former Sooner Blake Griffin and Clippers fall to Cleveland Cavaliers

Thunder go ahead early and never look back in big win over Raptors

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former Penn State president Graham Spanier was arraigned and released on bail at a brief court appearance Wednesday on charges he lied about and concealed child sex abuse allegations involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Spanier, accompanied by his wife, Graham signed paperwork after his bail was set at Spanier $125,000, but he was not required to post any of that amount. He was ordered to forfeit his passport and be fingerprinted. He didn’t enter a plea.

“This wasn’t a conspiracy of silence,” she said, echoing the charge made last week by state Attorney General Linda Kelly. “That is ridiculous.”

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rookie Dion Waiters hit seven 3-pointers and scored 28 points, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers stave off a fourth-quarter rally by the Los Angeles Clippers to win 108-101 on Monday night.

Kyrie Irving added 24 points, Tyler Zeller had 15 points and Anderson Varejao had 15 points and 15 rebounds as the Cavs snapped a two-game skid.

Blake Griffin scored 20 points, Jamal Crawford added 19 and Chris Paul had 17 for the Clippers, who lost their second straight.

The Cavs led by nine early in the fourth before Griffin, Paul and Crawford teamed up to spark the Clippers. Paul got things going with a 3-pointer and a driving layup, then set up Griffin’s dunk with an alley-oop pass before Crawford hit a 3 to tie the game at 94.

The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thunder coach Scott Brooks was happy to see his team get off to a fast start that made his job easy at the end.

Russell Westbrook shrugged off a sore shoulder to score 19 points and Oklahoma City cruised past the Toronto Raptors 108-88 on Tuesday night.

Serge Ibaka added 17 points for the Thunder, who led by as many as 29 before a sellout crowd of 18,203. They opened the game on a 30-17 run and never looked back.

Wearing a black padded sleeve to protect his bruised left shoulder, Westbrook held Toronto’s leading scorer, Kyle Lowry, to two points on 1-of-4 shooting. Lowry exited with 1:29 left in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain and did not return.

The Associated Press

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W

ith last weekend’s 35-20 win on the road against Iowa State, coach Bob Stoops won his 145th game as the Sooners’ head honcho, tying legendary coach Bud Wilkinson for second place in wins.

A win against Baylor on Saturday means Stoops will surpass Wilkinson and trail Barry Switzer by just 11 wins, cementing himself in Sooner lore for years to come.

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL GAME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

W, 49-0

W, 41-27

W, 55-14

W, 37-0

W, 37-3

W, 40-24

W, 31-15

W, 24-17

W, 79-10

W, 57-2

W, 64-0

W, 31-24

W, 47-14

W, 24-7 UTEP

UTEP

NORTH CAROLINA

TULSA

NORTH TEXAS

BOWLING GREEN

TULSA

UAB

NORTH TEXAS

CHATTANOOGA

IDAHO STATE

UTAH STATE

TULSA

W, 41-10

W, 45-7

W, 44-3

W, 37-27

W, 20-13

W, 63-13

W, 43-21

W, 37-20

W, 51-13

W, 52-26

W, 45-0

W, 47-14

W, 23-13

W, 69-13

BAYLOR

ARKANSAS STATE

AIR FORCE

ALABAMA

ALABAMA

HOUSTON

KANSAS STATE

WASHINGTON

MIAMI (FLA.)

CINCINNATI

TULSA

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA STATE

FLORIDA A&M

W, 42-21

W, 42-14

W, 37-10

W, 68-0

W, 52-28

W, 31-7

W, 19-3

W, 59-0

W, 54-3

W, 55-14

W, 33-7

W, 27-24

W, 38-28

W, 41-20

LOUISVILLE

RICE

NORTH TEXAS

UTEP

FRESNO STATE

OREGON

KANSAS

MIDDLE TENN.

UTAH STATE

WASHINGTON

BAYLOR

AIR FORCE

MISSOURI

TEXAS TECH

W, 51-6

W, 34-16

W, 38-37

W, 31-14

W, 59-24

W, 28-13

W, 37-30

W, 34-9

W, 62-21

W, 35-10

W, 35-13

W, 31-29

W, 62-6

W, 63-21

TEXAS A&M

KANSAS

KANSAS STATE

SOUTH FLORIDA

UCLA

TEXAS TECH

BAYLOR

IOWA STATE

TULSA

TCU

KANSAS

CINCINNATI

BALL STATE

TEXAS

W, 37-0

W, 63-14

W, 14-3

W, 31-24

W, 53-7

W, 12-0

W, 31-24

W, 24-3

W, 28-21

W, 49-17

W, 42-30

W, 28-20

W, 55-17

W, 52-7

MISSOURI

TEXAS

TEXAS

MISSOURI

IOWA STATE

TEXAS

NEBRASKA

COLORADO

TEXAS

BAYLOR

KANSAS STATE

TEXAS

TEXAS

KANSAS

W, 31-10

W, 41-31

W, 38-10

W, 35-24

W, 65-13

W, 31-21

W, 36-30

W, 26-10

W, 41-31

W, 45-31

W, 65-10

W, 52-0

W, 47-17

W, 35-20

MISSOURI

MISSOURI

KANSAS

TEXAS A&M

IOWA STATE

KANSAS

IOWA STATE

INDIANA STATE

IOWA STATE

KANSAS STATE

KANSAS

TEXAS

TEXAS

KANSAS STATE

TEXAS A&M

W, 44-7

W, 31-14

W, 33-17

W, 49-3

W, 34-13

W, 41-10

W, 42-14

W, 17-16

W, 17-7

W, 58-35

W, 27-0

W, 43-10

W, 58-17

OKLAHOMA STATE

NEBRASKA

BAYLOR

IOWA STATE

MISSOURI

KANSAS

OKLAHOMA STATE

TEXAS A&M

IOWA STATE

KANSAS STATE

OKLAHOMA STATE

COLORADO

KANSAS STATE

W, 56-7

W, 58-0

W, 27-11

W, 34-20

W, 38-35

W, 17-14

W, 34-24

W, 42-14

W, 62-28

W, 31-27

W, 45-7

W, 41-25

BAYLOR

TULSA

COLORADO

COLORADO

OKLAHOMA STATE

OREGON

TEXAS TECH

TEXAS A&M

NEBRASKA

STANFORD

TEXAS TECH

TEXAS A&M

W, 35-31

W, 31-10

W, 49-9

W, 52-9

W, 42-35

W, 36-10

W, 52-21

W, 66-28

W, 53-24

W, 26-6

TEXAS A&M

TEXAS A&M

BAYLOR

OKLAHOMA STATE

TEXAS A&M

BAYLOR

BAYLOR

TEXAS A&M

BAYLOR

IOWA STATE

W, 27-13

W, 30-13

W, 60-15

W, 77-0

W, 30-3

W, 27-21

W, 49-17

W, 65-21

W, 47-41

W, 31-14

TEXAS TECH

TEXAS TECH

TEXAS TECH

TEXAS A&M

NEBRASKA

OKLAHOMA STATE

OKLAHOMA STATE

TEXAS TECH

OKLAHOMA STATE

IOWA

W, 12-7

W, 10-3

W, 29-7

W, 51-3

W, 35-0

W, 21-7

W, 38-17

W, 61-14

W, 23-20

OKLAHOMA STATE

ARKANSAS

COLORADO

BAYLOR

BAYLOR

NEBRASKA

MISSOURI

OKLAHOMA STATE

NEBRASKA

W, 34-14

W, 56-25

W, 42-3

2006

2007

W, 62-21

W, 48-20

WASHINGTON STATE

TEXAS TECH

COLORADO

MISSOURI

CONNECTICUT

2002

2003

2004

2008

2010

1999

W, 27-24 KANSAS STATE

W, 13-2

2001

FLORIDA STATE

2000

STOOPS

2005

145

2009

WINS

2011

2012

10

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

The University of Oklahoma L I B R A R I E S Western History Collections presents 1904 World’s Fair Souvenirs Art of the American Arms Makers Traveling America with the Fred Harvey Company Bob Burke Collection: Great Stars of Western American Film, Television & Music Open to the public during regular hours.

Open until kick-off on game days.

Oklahoma depth chart OFFENSE LT

LG

C

RG

RT

71 Tyrus Thompson

So.

11 R.J. Washington

Sr.

74 Adam Shead

So.

53 Casey Walker

Sr.

50 Austin Woods

Jr.

92 Stacy McGee

Sr.

64 Gabe Ikard

Jr.

80 Jordan Phillips

R-Fr.

56 Ty Darlington

Fr.

68 Bronson Irwin

RT

97 Jamarkus McFarland

Sr.

Jr.

92 Stacy McGee

Sr.

50 Austin Woods

Jr.

90 David King

Sr.

79 Daryl Williams

So.

90 David King

Sr.

72 Derek Farniok

R-Fr.

84 Mike Onuoha

Fr.

85 Geneo Grissom

So.

7 Corey Nelson

Jr.

LT

RE

18 Jalen Saunders

Jr.

3 Sterling Shepard or

Fr.

25 Aaron Franklin or

So.

22 Roy Finch

Fr.

5 Joseph Ibiloye

Sr.

19 Justin Brown

Sr.

21 Tom Wort

Jr.

13 Durron Neal

Fr.

20 Frank Shannon or

4 Kenny Stills

Jr.

44 Jaydan Bird

Sr.

17 Trey Metoyer

Fr.

9 Gabe Lynn

Jr.

18 Lacolton Bester

Jr.

2 Julian Wilson

So.

12 Landry Jones

Sr.

23 Kass Everett

Jr.

10 Blake Bell

So.

14 Aaron Colvin

Jr.

15 Drew Allen

Jr.

27 Gary Simon

Fr.

33 Trey Millard

Jr.

30 Javon Harris

Sr.

48 Aaron Ripkowski

So.

9 Gabe Lynn

Jr.

20 Damien Williams

Jr.

1 Tony Jefferson

Jr.

24 Brennan Clay

Jr.

42 Jesse Paulsen

Sr.

8 Dominique Whaley

Sr.

6 Demontre Hurst

Sr.

15 Lamar Harris

Sr.

26 Zack Sanchez

Fr.

WR

QB

FB

RB

libraries.ou.edu

So.

WR

Featuring the works of Copernicus, Kepler, Edison, Einstein and Darwin among others.

Bizzell Memorial Library, 5th floor For more info, call (405) 325-2741.

98 Chuka Ndulue

RE

Jr.

History of Science Collections

Open to the public during regular hours; open 12-4 p.m. on Saturdays. No appointment necessary.

Sr.

82 Brandon Green

WR

“A Living Library: The Growth of History of Science Collections from 1976-2012”

69 Lane Johnson

TE

Monnet Hall, Room 452 For more info, call (405) 325-3641

presents

DEFENSE

OLB

MLB

N

RCB

SS

FS

LCB

R-Fr.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Baylor depth chart OFFENSE LT

LG

C

RG

RT

TE

IR

WR

WR

QB

RB

UB

58 Spencer Drango

DEFENSE R-Fr.

77 Kelvin Palmer

Jr.

68 Cyril Richardson

Jr.

67 Desmine Hilliard

R-Fr.

78 Ivory Wade

Sr.

54 Stephan Huber

Jr.

71 Cameron Kaufhold

Sr.

70 Jake Jackson

Sr.

75 Troy Baker

So.

19 Pat Colbert

R-Fr.

18 Jordan Najvar

Jr.

45 Matt Ritchey

So.

42 Levi Norwood

So.

23 Clay Fuller

So.

2 Terrance Williams

Sr.

5 Antwan Goodley

So.

3 Lanear Sampson

Sr.

7 Darryl Stonum

Sr.

11 Nick Florence

Sr.

14 Bryce Petty

RE

NG

DT

31 Chris McAllister

Jr.

90 Javonte Magee

Fr.

76 Nick Johnson

Sr.

95 Beau Blackshear

R-Fr.

10 Gary Mason Jr.

Sr.

98 Trevor Clemons-Valdez R-Fr. LE

WLB

MLB

NB

CB

DS

11 Terrance Lloyd

Jr.

92 Jamal Palmer

Fr.

5 Eddie Lackey

Jr.

15 Brody Trahan

Jr.

26 Rodney Chadwick

Sr.

44 Bryce Hager

So.

6 Ahmad Dixon

Jr.

1 Prince Kent

Jr.

9 Chance Casey

Sr.

7 Darius Jones

Jr.

25 Sam Holl

Jr.

35 Jemarcus Johnson

R-Fr.

17 Mike Hicks

Sr.

So.

13 Terrell Burt or

Fr.

21 Jarred Salubi

Sr.

21 Josh Wilson

Sr.

25 Lache Seastrunk

So.

22 Joe Williams

Jr.

8 Glasco Martin

Jr.

4 Tuswani Copeland or

So.

18 Xavien Howard

Fr.

CS

CB

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

11

12

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

The Daily’s NCAA football pick ’em challenge The Daily’s writers make their predictions for 10 college football games this week, selecting one matchup as their lock.

James Corley

Kedric Kitchens

Dillon Phillips

Tobi Neidy

Ross Stracke

Brent Stenstrom

SEASON RECORD (LOCKS)

25-15 (2-2)

19-21 (4-0)

23-17 (4-0)

21-19 (3-1)

25-15 (4-0)

26-14 (3-1)

Baylor at No. 12 Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 1 Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

No. 5 Georgia at Auburn

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

No. 21 Mississippi State at No. 7 LSU

LSU

Mississippi State

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

No. 11 Oregon State at No. 14 Stanford

Stanford

Oregon State

Stanford

Oregon State

Oregon State

Oregon State

Penn State at No. 16 Nebraska

Nebraska

Nebraska

Penn State

Nebraska

Nebraska

Nebraska

Army at No. 23 Rutgers

Rutgers

Rutgers

Army

Rutgers

Rutgers

Rutgers

No. 24 Northwestern at Michigan

Northwestern

Northwestern

Michigan

Northwestern

Michigan

Michigan

West Virginia at Oklahoma State

West Virginia

West Virginia

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State

West Virginia

West Virginia

Navy at Troy

Troy

Navy

Navy

Navy

Troy

Navy

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

13

Column » Detail label

OU needs to pass out of ‘Belldozer’ formation Sports Columnist

healthy between now and the end of the season — whether it’s in a BCS bowl game or not.

But the “Belldozer” offense needs a wrinkle or two as the season nears its end.

Whenever Bell comes into the game, everyone in the stadium basically knows what play is going Jono Greco to be run; the question is which jonogreco13@gmail.com side the 6-foot-6, 254-pound did not care for many things quarterback will run.

The play works — it’s been good about OU’s offense against for nine touchdowns this season Notre Dame on Oct. 27, and 22 touchdowns in the past but there was one particular play two years — but Iowa State proved I absolutely loved: sophomore something last week: The play can quarterback Blake Bell throwing be defended when you know it’s the ball on a key fourth down in coming. the fourth quarter.

Opposing players have been The completion on the fourthyelling out that the “Tebow” down conversion — Bell’s eighth offense is coming when he steps completion of the season and onto the field. Sooner Nation ninth of his young OU career — eventually led to a touchdown that may not appreciate that, but the “Tebow” offense was efficient tied the game at 13.

Even if Bell didn’t complete the because it included both running pass and OU failed to convert deep and throwing effectively — yes, Tebow was a good passer in in Notre Dame territory, this call college. still would have been a great one But that offense was efficient simply because it was something because former Florida coach different and something that Urban Meyer knew, like any should be implemented into the football coach at any level knows, offense more often. that an offense cannot be effective Now, I’m not calling for Bell if it’s one-dimensional. to take over senior quarterback Oklahoma co-offensive Landry Jones’ starting position; coordinator Josh Heupel needs quite the contrary. to implement that with Bell, too, Jones not only should be but even if it’s just to a lesser extent for better be the Sooners’ starting now. quarterback as long as he is stays

I

Kingsley Burns/The Daily

Sophomore quarterback Blake Bell celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Notre Dame — the first of the game for OU and first rushing score allowed by the Irish this season — during OU’s 30-13 loss Oct. 27 in Norman.

Bell was a five-star recruit with a coveted arm coming out of high school, so why not try to use it more than just once every few close games or when OU already has secured victory?

OU is going to have to change around its offense once Bell becomes the starting quarterback — remember, that shouldn’t happen until the 2013 season at the earliest — and it only makes

sense to give Bell a couple passes in opportune moments while not increasing his total plays and cutting into Jones’ time on the field.

Unless Sooner Nation has been told otherwise, people think Bell can throw the ball. So why not prove it?

The “Belldozer” offense is ready for more passing plays in timely situations to keep opposing

defenses on their toes instead of constantly crowding the box.

Being one-dimensional only can hurt Bell’s growth, and the end of the season — when the Sooners are fighting for a BCS bowl berth — is a pretty good time to grow.

Jono Greco is a journalism graduate student.

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Feature » Javon Harris

Moving past last year by

constantly

remembering it

By Dillon Phillips • Assistant Sports Editor

Two plays.

It took just two plays to give Baylor its first win against Oklahoma in school history; two plays to all but guarantee Robert Griffin III the Heisman Trophy; two plays to officially dash any remaining hopes the Sooners had of a national championship.

Two plays to deliver Sooner fans the scapegoat they so desperately wanted for the collapse of an entire defense.

During OU’s 45-38 loss to Baylor last season, two plays — touchdown passes of 69 and 87 yards — transformed the perception of senior safety Javon Harris from a talented defensive back who picked off a pair of passes in a stifling defensive performance on the road against Florida State to the weak link on a secondary that couldn’t defend the deep ball.

In two plays, a shark became a minnow. see Harris page 15

Kingsley Burns/The Daily

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

15

Harris: Safety has been battling to rebound from last year’s Baylor loss Continued from page 14 “(It’s been) a year’s worth of waiting,” senior safety Javon Harris said. “I know what happened last year… For a player like me, you can’t help but to look back.”

After Harris’ lapse against Baylor, he became the face of Oklahoma’s poor defensive play at the end of last season. He took the brunt of the sharp criticism that followed and became Exhibit A in the Sooner Nation v. Venables case against the complexity of OU’s defensive scheme.

“I don’t think it was any one person,” defensive coordinator Mi k e S t o o p s s a i d . “ I m e a n , everyone gets beat, but to put the blame on him, that’s not right. Last year’s in the past.”

No matter how harsh the criticism, no matter how scathing the comments, the close-knit clique of defensive backs circled the wagons to protect one of their own.

“First and foremost, it wasn’t all on Javon,” junior cornerback Aaron Colvin said. “It was all of us, because all of us had our days, our games. But Javon handled the criticism very well.”

Instead of cashing it in and quitting, Harris bounced back and used the Baylor game as motivation — watching it countless times to keep it fresh in his mind.

“Today, I was watching it in class,” Harris said Monday after practice. “I shouldn’t have been, but [I watche d it anyway]. I watched yesterday when I came in the ice tubs, and I watched it today.

“Back in two-a-days, I used to watch the Baylor game every day and just use it as a confidencebuilder and emotional boost. I know what happened.”

In fact, Harris said Mike Stoops told the whole defense to go back and watch the game to recognize what went wrong and reopen old wounds.

“I can tell you front, back, left, right of every call that happened

PLAYER PROFILE Javon Harris Year: Senior Position: Safety 2012 Statistics: 4 interceptions (1 touchdown), 40 tackles

Kingsley Burns/The Daily

Senior safety Javon Harris celebrates after a play during the OU-Notre Dame game Oct. 27 in Norman. The Lawton native caught the brunt of criticism following the Sooners’ 45-38 loss to Baylor last year in Waco because he was the defender on two crucial long Robert Griffin III touchdown passes. Since then, he said he’s been working to redeem himself. He said he has used the criticism and the film from that game to motivate him.

that game,” Harris said. “For me, it’s going to be watching the game and really studying guys and really focus on what’s going on, focus on our game plan and play as well as we have been and work on getting better.”

Harris admits that last year’s game changed him, and Colvin agrees.

“It humbled him a lot, and I see the difference and the change in him,” Colvin said. “I see him

out there going a lot harder in everything we do. He’s focusing on the little things, and I’m proud of what he did.”

Now a senior with a king–sized chip on his shoulder, Harris has proven last year’s game was just a fluke.

“I lost my (starting) spot after this one,” Harris said. “For me to come back where I’m at now and go into this game and just prove people wrong is what I’m going

to do.”

This season, Harris leads the team with four interceptions and is second in tackles (40).

“He’s just improved,” Stoops said. “He’s a hard worker; he’s very conscientious. That’s what I really like and admire about the guy: He comes back and has really played well all year.

“That shows a lot of character, and I’m really happy he’s been able to get out there and play

winning football for us.”

During the offseason, Stoops shuffled the defensive backfield — moving Harris to strong safety, Colvin back to corner and junior Tony Jefferson to free safety — to better harness the Sooners’ talent. “[Javon] has a better feel over there (on the strong side),” Stoops said. “He’s played very well; I’ve been pleased with Javon. He’s got a lot of talent, and he can do all of the things we are asking him to do well.”

The man who once carried the blame for the defense’s late-season breakdown now personifies the collective chip on the Sooners’ shoulders. He’s become the poster boy for a defense with something to prove.

And so far this season, he’s played his part.

But when Baylor’s top-ranked offense comes to town, it’ll be the Sooners’ toughest test to date.

“Saturday, again, we can’t give up big plays like we did a year ago,” Stoops said. “That was the frustrating part, I think, of what we did a year ago. We’re going to have to try to keep the ball in front of us.”

And Harris is up for the challenge.

“When it comes to the Baylor game last year, we all know what happened,” Harris said. “It’s about going out here, proving people wrong with (what) their perceptions of me are and continue building on this year.”

Dillon Phillips, dphillips85@ou.edu

16

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

News from around the Soonerscape footbalL

Men’s basketball

women’s basketball

Former OU All-American quarterback Darrell Royal dies Wednesday at 88

Oklahoma to tip off season at home against Louisiana-Monroe Sunday

Sooners to take on Creighton on the road in first game of regular season

Former OU football player Darrell Royal died Wednesday of complications from cardiovascular disease.

Royal played at OU from 1946 to 1949 and received All-American honors in his final year at the school, throwing for 509 yards while rushing for 189. He also played defensive back and is still the OU career Darrell interceptions lwader with 17.

Royal The quarterback went on to become the coach of Texas where he developed the wishbone offense in 1968.

Royal won two national championships and share of a third in 23 years as coach of the Longhorns.

The OU men’s basketball team tips off its regular season against Louisiana-Monroe at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lloyd Noble Center.

OU started off with a 10-2 nonconference record last season before finishing 15-16 in coach Lon Kruger’s first season in Norman.

The Sooners return 10 players from that squad, including five seniors — guards Sam Grooms and Steven Pledger, forwards Andrew Fitzgerald and Romero Osby and center Casey Arent.

In addition to the Preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Amath M’Baye, OU boasts three other newcomers that should see extensive playing time — freshmen guards Buddy Hield, Je’lon Hornbeak and Isaiah Cousins.

Staff Reports

Staff Reports

The OU women’s basketball team faces their first game of the regular season at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Omaha, Neb. The Sooners have been led through two exhibitions by their post — juniors, center Nicole Griffin and junior forward Portia Durrett.

Griffin scored 33 points in the two-game exhibition season and Durrett added 42 points of her own.

Durrett, a junior college transfer, is one of three newcomers that have seen significant time so far, joining freshman guards Nicole Kornet and Maddie Manning.

OU will take on Creighton, who made it to the NCAA tournament last season, falling to St. John’s on a buzzer beater befor St. John’s knocked the Sooners out of the tournament.

Staff Reports

Visit OUDaily.com for more news and information about all things Sooner sports.

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INSIDE THE HUDDLE

• Friday, November 9, 2012

GAME PREVIEW » BAYLOR

Sooners seeking redemption a Student Media publication in association with

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Loss to Bears last year has stuck with players, motivates improvement TOBI NEIDY

Sports Reporter

Although No. 12 Oklahoma (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) won’t have to prepare for Heisman-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III when it hosts Baylor (4-4, 1-4) at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, the Sooners said they’re not overlooking an offense that reloaded from a year ago.

Baylor won’t have RGIII — taken

by Washington in the first round — but will bring the nation’s top total offense (581.5 yards per game), including the nation’s leading passer, quarterback Nick Florence, who averages 377.7 yards per game this season.

“They have great schemes and great speed across the board,” coach Bob Stoops said. “Their quarterback in an experienced guy; you put that all together, and they haven’t missed a beat.”

Normally that wouldn’t be an issue for the Sooners, who previously held a 20-game winning streak over the Bears. But this time, OU has waited 12 months to repay a debt for last season’s 45-38 loss in Waco.

Senior safety Javon Harris said he has watched the game film more times than he can count, including Baylor senior receiver Terrance Williams’ infamous game-winning catch. (See page 12.)

Before the 2012 season started, members of the defense talked about how they wanted to redeem themselves from last year’s busted coverages. Learning from last year’s mistakes and correcting them in practice is something Stoops said will help right the ship for the Sooners this year.

“I would think (the defense) would remember (last year’s game), not only because how they played last year, but also because of

KINGSLEY BURNS/THE DAILY

Former OU offensive lineman Stephen Good (center) puts his head in his hand in the waning seconds of the Sooners’ 45-38 loss to Baylor last season in Waco. Oklahoma had never lost to the Bears in 20 previous meetings, but the Sooners surrendered 616 total yards of offense to Baylor’s Heisman Trophy-winning Robert Griffin III and the Bears’ attack.

what Baylor’s doing this year with all the yards and points they’re putting up,” Stoops said.

Even newcomers to the team — like freshman wide receiver Sterling Shepard — are using last year’s devastating loss as a reminder that even solid offensive performances don’t always yield wins.

“That’s why it’s important to keep putting points on the board

in this game,” Shepard said. “We know that they’re capable of doing that on offense, too, so we just have to keep getting open and make those plays because we know it will keep us in the ballgame.”

In last year’s loss, OU put up 605 total yards of offense, including m o re f i r st d ow n s a n d m o re offensive plays than the Bears. But it came down to the last play of the game — a catch with eight seconds

remaining — that made the difference in the game’s result.

“Previous to the last drive, we drove it down the field and scored a touchdown, and at that point, it is out of your offensive hands and your defense has to go up there and make a play,” senior quarterback Landry Jones said. “Robert Griffin made a great play at the end of the SEE BEARS PAGE 3

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

Friday, November 9, 2012 •

3

BEARS: Baylor fields country’s worst defense in yards allowed per game

Offense

Tobi Neidy, tneidy@gmail.com

POINTS PER GAME

TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME

39.5

581.5*

392.1*

488.8

189.4

175.1

RUSHING YARDS PER GAME

43.8

313.6

* LEADS THE COUNTRY

649

Receiving yards for junior wide out Kenny Stills; averages 12.7 yards per catch

412

6

Total touchdowns for Stills this season (fourth on the team, first among wide receivers)

25

68

11

22

12

Total passing yards per game for Baylor senior quarterback Nick Florence (leads the nation)

Passing touchdowns thrown

by Florence this season (13 on the road)

Yards of Stills’ season-long catch for a touchdown against UTEP on Sept. 1 Total rushing yards for Stills this year (two attempts)

Interceptions thrown by Florence this season (5 on the road)

KENNY STILLS Junior wide receiver

NICK FLORENCE Senior quarterback

Times Florence has been sacked this season (6 on the road)

312.9

RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED

17.8

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED

TOTAL OFFENSE ALLOWED

POINTS ALLOWED

º WORST IN THE COUNTRY

170

142.9

Defense

game to win it for them.”

Although Baylor continues to pack the big punch on offense this season, the Sooners have an advantage going up against a Bears defense ranked dead last — No. 120 out of 120 — that allows an average 527.3 yards per game.

Earlier this year against West Virginia and the offense led by quarterback Geno Smith, the Bears surrendered 807 yards of offense.

“I think for us, the more people we can get in, the fresher we will be, especially with no-huddle,” Jones said. “It’s better for us in spreading the ball around so they can’t stay on one guy or double one guy.”

Two keys for Baylor will be ball control and forcing turnovers, both facets of the game that No. 2 Kansas State and No. 4 Notre Dame used to secure previously rare wins on Owen Field.

“It’s important to control a certain rhythm to the football game because of the environment, but at the same time, you have to be you,” Baylor coach Art Briles said. “We can’t change our game plan just because we are changing area codes.”

OU needs this win in order to stay in contention for the final Big 12 standings that will help improve the team’s bowl selection.

Likewise, Baylor earned its first conference win of the season last week against Kansas and is looking to pick up where it left off last weekend.

And although the Bears have never beaten the Sooners on Owen Field, Florence said Baylor has a leg up on OU and will be bringing the swagger it gained last year to Norman.

“We absolutely have confidence from last year and we will feed off of that, but at the same time, it’s a totally different year,” Florence said. “It’s a new time, and let’s write a new chapter this year.”

PASSING YARDS PER GAME

Continued from page 2

39.1

527.3º

326.6

200.6