OKLAHOMA 34
LOUISIANA-MONROE 0
PREGAME
It wasn't just hot, it was miserably hot. If you weren't standing in the shade, it was like standing on the surface of the sun. It was the kind of hot that made waiting in line seem unbearable, walking anywhere seem unthinkable or having any fun seem implausible. It was the kind of hot that made paying $39.99 for pay-per-view suddenly seem like a bargain. But we managed to have a good time anyway, probably because the heat also made every beer seem a little colder and a little more drinkable.
Because of the heat, the streets of Campus Corner seemed almost deserted. There was no band, or big TV set up. Everything was indoors that could be indoors, most especially the people. The bars, pub's or any place with an air-conditioner for that matter, were a nightmare. The line to get into Fuzzy's was out the door and down the street. At O'Connell's we were told it would be an hour, probably more for a table. Right...I wouldn't wait that long if I got ownership of the restaurant much less a place to sit down. So it was over to a place called Logan's. Even this place was wall to wall. We wasted an hour standing over a couple of different tables that had already tabbed out thinking they might be leaving, right? Wrong. They were so settled in that they might as well of had their address changed and their mail delivered to the table. So it was off to the tailgate...
One thing you can count on is that The Cox, Coleman & Wheeler tailgate, located behind the Boyd House and under a big shade tree, will be in full force. Rain, sleet, snow or 105 degrees and Louisiana-Monroe, you can bet that John Cox will have a spread laid out, Lane Wheeler will be serving club-specials behind the bar and Kent Coleman will be grilling hot links and yelling out to anyone and everyone..."Who wants some hot meat?"
As usual- good job gentleman....please know that the hospitality is much appreciated.
The OAS, Jasen Agee & Mike "Spesh" Johnston
Can you guess which one of these three Delt pledge-brothers still
weighs close to what he did in college?
THE OPPONENT
This was not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, cupcake, chalk up a W, first game opponent. If you don't believe me, just ask the 2012 Arkansas Razorbacks. The Warhawks have 18 returning starters coming back from last year's Independence Bowl team...a team that knocked off the Hogs' in Fayetteville and took Auburn and Baylor to the wire before losing.
Their lefty QB Kolton Browning was the Sun Belt Conference POY in 2012, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as well as rushing for another 488 yards and 7 td's. He led an offense that averaged 33 points and 432 yards per game.
Most media talking heads had this being a high scoring game, with OU pulling away for victory late in the game due to depth and home-field advantage.
THE VIEW FROM SECTION 5 ROW 16 SEAT 5
THE DEFENSE
-The facts are hard to believe. The Sooners not only shutout a very good offensive football team...they dominated them. OU held the Warhawks to a mere 166 yards total offense (38 rushing/128 passing). This was an offense that was returning most of the starters from last year's unit that averaged over 400 yards and 33 points a game.
- DE Charles Tapper looks like the stud he was advertised as being all off-season.
-DT Jordan Phillips looked, for one game anyway, like he was interested in playing this year.
- I was surprised that stud defensive tackle Quincy Russell didn't play more. Like The OAS, the JC transfer is probably still playing his way into shape, but when he was in the game he was very active and demanded a double team.
-Defensive line is still an area that concerns me as far a depth is concerned, but their play was excellent at least for one game.
-The hot dogs were better this year. The buns weren't stale and weren't so big that you needed a search party to find the hot dog part.
-It was nice to see that the linebackers were part of the defensive game plan. Unlike 2012 when Mike Stoops chose to use as many as 7 or 8 defensive backs to combat an opponents spread offense, the linebackers were involved and played well. Eric Striker stood out to me the most.
-It was also nice to have the defense lined up properly and paying attention when the opposing offense snapped the ball. So many times over the last few seasons our defense would be to busy staring over at the sidelines watching our coaches dance and scream like they were part of some ancient tribal mating ritual to even notice that the opposing offense had just snapped the ball. The OAS has always felt like the best defense, is a defense that is paying attention, but what do I know? Saturday night the Sooner defense was paying attention and the other team didn't score. Coincidence? Probably, but fun to point out nonetheless.
-The OU secondary was outstanding...a statement that was uttered maybe once the entire 2012 season. I don't know which was harder to believe, only giving up 128 total yards through the air, or the fact that Gabe Lynn played without giving up a deep pass for a touchdown. In fact, not only did Lynn not get beat deep, he delivered the biggest hit of the game. Now, I know what you're thinking..."OAS that's just crazy talk...next thing you're going to tell us is that OU has a kicker who can kick the ball out of the end-zone on kickoffs without a tropical storm behind his back?"
SPECIAL TEAMS
-Let me introduce to you Nick Hodgson, Jr. from North Richland Hills, TX. All SEVEN of Nick's kickoffs were touchbacks. Over the last four seasons, the Sooners have given up TEN kickoff returns for a touchdown...TEN. That means that on ten different occasions, those around me who seconds ago were high-fiving me, are now calling security to have me removed from the stadium. When the other team doesn't run back kickoffs for touchdowns, section 4 at Owen Field becomes an oasis of calm, a friendly place where people of all ages laugh and smile. Kickoff returns causes me to have Tourette's. Nick Hodgson, thank you for saying no to Tourette's and making section 4 a better place to watch a game.
Some guy named Jed Barnett was looking like he was going to be the game MVP for a while, averaging 43 yards a punt. His kicks were important in the battle for field position while the Sooners were still trying to figure out a way to get a first down.
Field Goal kicker Michael Hunnicut made both his kicks...from 41 and 33.
Man, I hate saying nice things about the kickers in the first game...let's hope it isn't all downhill from here for these three.
OFFENSE
-I have seen the future at running back and its name is Keith Ford. Wow, this freshman running back from Cypress, TX is a combination of power and speed not seen around here since AD left.
-Damien Williams' stint in the dog house for not being on campus for summer workouts ended abruptly. It was obvious why since he was by far the best OU running back on the field. (At least until Ford got into the game late).
-The corn-dogs are still a little soggy. There also needs to be an alternative to the foot-long size. For those of us that also plan to consume a hot dog, a piece of pizza and bag of peanuts, a foot-long corn dog just seems a little indulgent.
-The annual pledge to "get Trey Millard more touches this year" got off to the same predictable start...three carries.
In the coach's defense, one reason why he doesn't carry it more could be the fact that he can't block for himself when he does. Millard is an absolutely devastating blocker and the reason for many of the long runs Saturday night.
-We are deep and very talented at wide receiver...but that being said, this unit didn't have the greatest of games. Too many drops but I expect that to be an exception this year, not a rule.
-The OL is also much deeper this year. They took a little bit to get their rhythm and adjust to the constant moving of the ULM defense, but when they did, they dominated. They look bigger this year...let's hope that translates to better as well. A touch of nasty wouldn't hurt either.
-Then there is the main topic of conversation...the quarterback. We all knew that this offense was going to be different from what we have seen over the last 15 years...and it was. For instance, Saturday was the first time that a QB was OU's leading rusher in a game since 2001. I also can't remember the last time an OU team had more rushing yards than passing, but I would bet it has been a while. The were some good things and some not so good things that happened at the QB position for the Sooners Saturday night; but as far as The OAS is concerned, it was just good not to see the 'same old thing' at QB for the Sooners.
The OAS will break down Trevor Knight's debut in detail and post in an update tomorrow, but right now...I think I will just enjoy the win...and my air-conditioner...at least for a moment or two.
Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy
The Overweight Armchair Sooner
Buddy Putty
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