SOONERS FEELIN' FROGGY AT 5-0

#11 OKLAHOMA 20

TCU 17

THE SOONER NATION MOURNS

 

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Cindy Johnson.  Cindy, wife of Oklahoma director of football operations Merv Johnson; mother of Jan (my fraternity big-sister), Jeff (my fraternity brother) and Jill (a friend who tragically passed back in 2000); and mother in law to Mike Burr (a fraternity brother who has always been like a big brother to me) passed away on Sunday night due to complications from a stroke. 
 
Cindy always had a welcoming tone in her voice, a smile on her face and the unique ability to make everyone around her feel special.  Whenever I saw Cindy she would always say to me: "Buddy Putty, you better get over here and give me a hug."  Which was always followed by "Buddy Putty, are you using that twinkle in your eyes for good or for evil these days?" A question she undoubtedly already knew the answer to.
 
That twinkle was replaced by a flood of tears today when I heard the news that Cindy had passed away.  My thoughts and prayers go out to Merv, Jan, Jeff, Mike and the rest of their extended family. 
 
The Sooner Nation lost a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and fan on Sunday...moreover the world lost a wonderful person.  I feel lucky and honored that our paths crossed in life.  Cindy Johnson was special and every time I was around her she made me feel the same...and that's a feeling that would put a twinkle in anyone's eyes. 

GAME DAY IN NORMAN

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that a Horned Frog is not really a frog or a toad at all?  It is actually part of the lizard family. The name Horned Frog comes from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which make it resemble a toad or frog. The spines on its back and sides are made from modified scales, whereas the horns on the heads are true horns.  I know this to be true because Wikipedia says so.

 

The Horned Frog, or lizard as it may be, is able to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of its eyes for a distance of up to five feet.  They do this by restricting the blood flow leaving the head, thereby increasing blood pressure and rupturing tiny vessels around the eyelids.

I don't understand why this type creature would be picked to be the mascot of a major university.  My second ex-wife could do the same thing, but you don't see her picture on both sides of anybody's helmets do you?  Just sayin. 

NO WARTS ON THAT WEATHER

Now THAT, was football weather!  It wasn't 106 in the shade.  I didn't feel like I was walking on the surface of the sun.  I could walk around campus or to the stadium without sweating so much that it looked like I had just showered but smelling like I hadn't ever.  It was a beautiful day and night that helped make for a much more football like atmosphere. 

Tip of the hat to all the TCU fans that made the trip.  Hope you were treated well and enjoyed game day in Norman.

Jasen, Trevor & The OAS enjoy the pre-game

tailgate and the football like weather last

Saturday.

  

THE OPPONENT: TCU
A BAD TIME TO CATCH A GOOD TEAM

WITH A GREAT COACH

Coming off of an emotional road win against Notre Dame and with Texas on deck, much was made last week about how this game looked like a 'trap' game.  Look, it would be hard to argue that if your schedule has you playing the Sooners in Norman, this past Saturday was probably as good a spot as any to catch us.  But that being said, Gary Patterson and his TCU Horned Frogs are capable of beating anyone, anytime and anywhere regardless of who that team just played or is about to play.   OU has always struggled with Patterson and his Frogs, a factor which may have actually helped the Sooners focus this past week.  As the 20-17 final score would indicate, the Sooners had their hands full...but played just well enough to win. 

THE SOONER DEFENSE
D THROWS NO HITTER IN FIRST HALF

16 TOTAL YARDS & NO FIRST DOWNS
 

"I don't think that's happened with anyone I've been a part of" - OU head coach Bob Stoops

The OU defense pitched the equivalent of a no-hitter in the first half Saturday night.  In seven first half possessions the TCU offense failed to pick up a first down and managed only 16 yards total offense.  When TCU got a first down on their second drive of the third quarter, it ended a streak of 10 consecutive series that the Sooners defense had held the opposing offense without a first down (including the last two series against Notre Dame). Impressive stuff.

It was disappointing that the OU offense didn't play well enough in the first half to put TCU away, but a very good Frog defensive unit had a big say as to why that didn't happen.  The problem is, if you let a Patterson coached team hang around, there is a good chance it might come back to haunt you...the Sooners almost found that out the hard way on Saturday night.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

A TIGHT END SIGHTING

 

An OU tight end touched the ball in a game for the first time this season Saturday...but not in a good way. When TCU executed and then recovered their 3rd quarter on-side kick, it was OU tight end Brannon Green that the ball bounced off of at the OU 35 yard line. The play was a double whammy for special teams coach Jay Boulware...turns out that coach B is also the tight ends coach. 

THE SOONERS OFFENSE

JUST ENOUGH

 

I knew that the TCU defensive secondary, featuring first team All-American senior cornerback Jason Verrett, was good...but I had no idea they were that good.  Their coverage of our receivers was impressive, but what they really did well was limit the yards after catch.  It was obvious that they didn't feel Bell was capable of beating them deep, so they cheated up to take away the short passing game.

The great coverage had a visible effect on Bell.  The good news is that at 6' 6" and 250 lbs. Bell can stand in the pocket and go through his progressions a little longer than most, because he can still see down field when the rush is starting to close it on him.   But that also means he is prone to holding on to the football longer than he should instead of throwing it away or maybe even tucking it and trying to run.  That can lead to sacks, which happened twice Saturday night against the Frogs. 

When he gets sacked it is easy to say he should have thrown it away or run with it...but the luxury of having someone who can stand in there longer than most has huge upside.  At the college level, more times than not, someone is going to break open...especially with a receiving corps as talented as OU's. 

The most important thing, regardless of whether he stands in pocket or throws it away, is that he doesn't try to force the ball somewhere...which he hasn't tried to do.  Since Bell has taken over, the offense has yet to turn the ball over...and you can't ask for more than that.

With the game on the line, the Sooners offensive line came through.  With TCU playing the run, the o-line was able to spring Brennan Clay loose for 76 yards and a touchdown.  Then after TCU scored to make it interesting, the offensive line opened a enough space for Blake Bell to slip through for consecutive first down carries that iced the game.  It speaks well for the conditioning and heart of this group when you can move the ball on the ground at crunch time against a defense that knows you're trying to do just such.

The hard earned 20-17 victory over TCU moves the Sooners to 5-0 for the season...and makes preparation for Saturday's Red River Rivalry all that much sweeter.  Everything the Sooners set out to play for this season is still out there to be had....next up....it's time to talk about Texas! 

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty