SOONERS SURVIVE MOUNTAINEERS IN MO-TOWN 44-33

PFLUGERVILLE FRESHMAN PHENON SAMAJE PERINE PUTS

ON PRIME-TIME PERFORMANCE AT PUSKER STADIUM

Samaje Perine, Pflugerville, TX.

34 Carries for 242 yards / 4 Touchdowns

“Going back and watching film, there were times that we opened the holes for him, but getting to the second level and people were just bouncing off of him. I don’t even know what to compare him to, but he runs the ball hard and he’s hard to bring down. We love that as offensive linemen.” – Sooner center, Ty Darlington

Turns out, the only thing harder than trying to pronouncing this true freshman running backs name and home town…is tackling him.

Samaje Perine, pronounced Sam-ah-jay Pee-Rhine, is 5’-11” tall and weighs a biscuit shy of 250...a description that, in and of itself, doesn’t mean much.  Hell, if being 5’-11” /250 lbs., having a strange name and hailing from a funny sounding hometown made you a college football star, then I should’ve been a Heisman winner.

(…And this year’s Heisman Trophy goes to, Buddy Putty! Pronounced Bud-dee Put-tee, this short, overweight senior from Antlers, Oklahoma led the nation in fast food drive trough’s after 2AM and total

YAC’s per game (Yack’s after Crown.))

But size and weight are obviously where the comparisons between Perine and Putty end.  Perine possesses amazing athleticism for someone his size. Samaje has quick feet, tremendous balance, deceptive speed, the power to break tackles and has shown terrific hands when catching the ball out of the backfield.  Perine reminds me of former Notre Dame and NFL star Jerome ‘The Bus’ Bettis...only with better speed.  ‘The Baby Bus’ may be 245 lbs., but he runs the forty in 4.41 seconds.  For me, if it’s 40 yards away then I need to find my car keys.   It’s only been four games, but Samaje Perine looks to be something special.  How special?  Many more games like the one he had in Mo-town Saturday night and by the end of the year you might see his name on an award list…it’s pronounced All-A-mer-i-can.

“Take it, to the limit, one more time” –The Eagles

As impressive as Perine was, the play of the game was provided courtesy of a different Sooner running back.  The 100 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Alex Ross with 1:08 remaining before halftime completely changed the momentum and quite possibly the outcome of the game.  The Mountaineers, aided by two 15 yard penalties on the Sooners defense, had just gone 55 yards in 5 plays to take a 24-17 lead.  But before you could say, ‘West Virginia, mountain momma, take me home, down country roads,’ Alex Ross was standing in the W. Va. end-zone.  This was the second kick this year that Ross has returned at least 80 yards, the first coming against La Tech.

The Ross kickoff return underscores a point I mentioned in my last blog and the reason why I called Sooner kickoff specialist Nick Hodgson a weapon.  Hodgson kicked off 7 times Saturday night…all 7 resulted in touchbacks.  Over the years I’ve noticed that the chances of the opposing team returning a kickoff for a touchdown are greatly reduced when they don’t even get a chance to try.  Just sayin’. 

Not a Good Knight…

OU QB Trevor Knight was average at best Saturday night. I say average, only because OU won the game.  Still, much too often, Knight is not going through his progressions, instead locking in on one receiver…which is usually Sterling Shepard.  There were several plays last Saturday night where replays showed Knight throwing into coverage when other OU receivers were more open than a Jerry Jones marriage.  Even when Trevor found the open man Saturday night, his throws were high, short or horribly off the mark.

…But There is Good News

The news handed down by the NCAA yesterday that Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield has been ruled eligible, is huge for both Knight and the Sooners. With no experienced back-up QB available, the OU coaches have practically forbidden Knight to run the ball this year…obviously not wanting to risk him getting injured.  While that made sense, it also took away a big part of what makes Trevor effective.  The luxury of having a quality back-up like Mayfield, will hopefully allow the Sooners to take off Knight’s training wheels…so he can be more effective in running the zone read.

‘They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself” –Andy Warhol

I’ve often been critical of the OU coaching staff’s inability to make successful halftime adjustments and changes…but that was not the case this past Saturday night in Morgantown.  After getting torched for 286 yards and 24 points by the Mountaineers in the first half, Mike Stoops was able to make some changes defensively that helped hold West Virginia to 9 second half points.

After Further Review…

I like West Virginia head coach, Dana Holgerson. I think he’s an excellent offensive minded football coach…But that being said, I thought he really helped the Sooners out with his play calling.  The Mountaineers ran 81 plays from scrimmage Saturday night, 40 rushing & 41 passing.  While the play calling was balanced, the productivity was anything but.  Almost 80% of the Mountaineer’s 513 yards of total offense came through the air. I can appreciate their desire to try and control the clock and keep their tired worn-out defense off the field, but at some point doesn’t it seem counterproductive to do so at the sacrifice of productivity?  The way Mountaineer QB Clint Trickett was carving up the Sooner secondary, I think I would’ve gone more with what was working versus what wasn’t, but hey, what do I know.

Scary that is took a 100 yard kickoff and a trick play just to keep the Sooners from being behind at half.

Might be time to review having Sterling Shepard returning punts.  First of all, it scares me having our best player perform the most dangerous job in football.  But it’s a risk the coaches are usually willing to take if the possible reward is the kind of game changing production Jalen Saunders gave the Sooners last year.  Sterling has shown flashes of having that type ability, but right now he’s struggling to even make the proper decision on when to call for a fair catch.  I guess at minimum, the coaches know that Shepard can be relied on to catch the ball…a trust that dynamic true freshman Michiah Quick has yet to earn.

Time of possession: OU 33:25 West Virginia 26:35.  Nice

Not sure what to think of the defensive performance.  The aggressive nature in which the Sooner defense has been rushing the QB this season wasn’t as evident.  All I know is this, I’m glad that wasn’t Baylor we were playing last Saturday night, because it would’ve been ugly.

Do you know when the last time the Sooners tried an on-side kick that wasn’t at the end of a game and expected by the opponent? Yah, me neither.

I was worried about this game.  On the road, at night, rowdy crowd, the week after a big game…it had all the makings of being a trap.  Many nationally predicted West Virginia would win this game….but they didn’t.  Bottom line, this was a very nice road win for the Sooners.  They faced some adversity, battled though it…and played well enough to win…which is what it’s all about.  Great win boys!

The bye week comes at a good time.  The Sooners are 4-0 and get two weeks in which to prepare for Gary Patterson and the TCU Horned Frogs. 

Boomer Sooner…come see me in Fort Worth when the Sooners play TCU in two weeks!

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

OKLAHOMA 34 TENNESSEE 10

 I woke up Sunday morning thinking the following positive thoughts:

• This was a nice win over a young but very athletic SEC team that is on the rise. 
•  I survived sleeping on a twin bed at the Postal Center without falling off of it.  Twin beds there are the size of postage stamps…and not near big enough for a ‘male’ my size.  Truth is, I could've slept face down on a pickett fence by the time I went to bed, but the beds are still small nonetheless.
• Even though the score said otherwise at times, this game was never really in doubt. 
•  The Sooner defense was dominant.  They totally nullified the Vols running game while also applying relentless pressure on Tennessee’s gutsy Senior QB.
• The Sooners linebackers are, in my opinion, the best starting group in the Stoops era.  Which is no small statement considering there were two groups that included Butkus Award winners.
• Why can I make the above statement? Because it’s my blog, but also because of LB Eric Striker.  If Striker isn’t an All American, then they should stop giving out the award.  When he isn’t making the play, he’s disrupting it so that someone else can.  The opposing offense must account for him on every play.
• LB Jordan Evans made back to back plays that allowed the Sooners to put Tennessee away in the second half.  His stop of Vols QB Worley short of a first down was followed by a great read and deflection of a pass at the goal line, which Julian Wilson picked and returned 100 yards for the game clincher.
•  In the span of 5 or 6 games, Geno Grissom has transformed from being a third team tight end to an All Big 12 defensive player. His versatility of being able to play both DE or outside linebacker in a 3-4 may just make him a first round NFL pick.
• Trevor Knight continued to improve, passing for 300+ yards and a TD and rushed for another. Equally important = no turnovers.
• Knight showed great touch on the deep throw to Shepard in the first drive of the second half.
• Sterling Shepard = Mark Clayton
• Nick Hodgson, our kickoff specialist is a nice weapon.  His touchback ratio is very high, which keeps my blood pressure very low. Lord, I just called a kicker a weapon. I must be getting soft.
• The interception that Sanchez made in the south end-zone was impressive on several levels.  To start with, he didn’t bite on the pump fake and his position on the coverage was text book…then the concentration to make the acrobatic catch while keeping his feet in bounds was beautiful. Reminds me of that time at the Cotton Bowl when I had a pork chop sandwich in one hand and a cocktail in the other and was still able to walk a tight rope between two rows of people while screaming at a referee’s bad call…all without spilling a drop of my cocktail. 
•  Love the way we came out of the locker room again.  Points on the opening drives of each half are great ways to break the other teams will and medicate my Tourette's. 
• Tennessee’s QB is a tough son of a gun.  Watched the replay of the game and he took some shots!  After the game, Stoops went straight up to the kid and shook his hand.  Either Bob admired the kid’s grit, or didn’t want to be the only guy in Crimson who hadn’t gotten his hands on him.  Kind of glad that kid graduates and won't be around for the rematch in Knoxville next year

So, if I was thinking all of the above…why was I driving home thinking that maybe we aren’t as good as I thought we were?  This is why:

•  If Tennessee’s goal was to hang around and stay close enough to give themselves a chance to win…then mission accomplished.  The Sooners defense was just too good on this night for the Vols to win, but they weren't out of it until the Wilson pic-6.
• My friend Styx has been of the opinion since week one that this team lacks the killer instinct that some of the early era Stoops teams possessed. After watching the Sooners let the Vols hang around on Saturday night, I’m starting to agree with him.  Offensive play calling may have been as much a part of that happening as the players mentality however.
• The egg rolls that are sold at the concession stand located at the South end of the stadium…suck.  Yes, that probably should’ve been a given, but 5 hours of pregame beer and a stadium cup of straight crown had me feeling optimistic and adventurous.  My fortune cookie should’ve read: “Conficious say: Only a dumb ass would eat a frozen microwaved egg roll at Owen Field.”
• Why can’t I get my entire fat ass onto the Trevor Knight bandwagon? He throws for 300 yards and a score and runs for another TD all without turning the ball over and still my first tendency is to be speculative.  My reactions this week: his passing yards were mostly yards after catch, he still has happy feet, he’s locking in on Shepard and by doing so, he is often missing other open receivers. But that’s clearly being overly critical….because bottom line...he's playing well and getting better every week.  So if that’s the case why is it that if Monty Hall offered me the chance to take Knight or whatever is behind door number two…I be so tempted to make the swap? Because I’m a spoiled Sooner fan would be my guess…just ask any QB starved Longhorn fan.
• J. Thomas getting burned for the Tennessee touchdown did nothing to diminish the worry I have about the safety position.
• Sooners were only 3 of 12 on third down, including 0-5 in the second half.  Not good.  Was predictable, conservative play calling part of it? Or poor execution?  Will have to be better on the road against West Virginia next week.
• Why was our vaunted offensive line getting abused in the second half? Some will point to the fact OU was in obvious running situations and the Vols were acting accordingly…but our center, Darlington, who I really think will be a good one, was getting whipped pretty consistently. That or the blocking scheme was to let the nose-guard penetrate 4 yards deep on running plays.
• The team intro video is not as good as it has been in the past, in my opinion.  Over the years, I have developed an unofficial rating system for each video based on my physical and emotional reaction. If the video gave me chicken skin that means I thought it was pretty good.  If I got chicken skin and had to fight back tears like I’d just had my flask of Crown taken away by security, then it was very good. If I got chicken skin and had tears running down my face like I’d just left a Beaches/Old Yeller double feature, then I’d call it a great video. My reaction last Saturday night? “Was that the intro video?”
• The protection scheme in the kicking game obviously needs to be reexamined.  The Vols coaches obviously saw something they felt they could exploit…blocking a field goal while somehow not blocking two punts. Need to fix that...and quick.

OU @ West Virginia

As I type this at 5:00 on Saturday afternoon....I’ll be honest, this game bothers me…big time.  It’s a classic trap game.  The game is at night…on the road in Morgantown…against a team that has nothing to lose…with the Sooners coming off a big game the previous week.

My hope is that the embarrassment that Mike suffered the last time OU was there will be the motivation needed for him to come up with one of those prefect type game plans he and Venables occasionally produced in years past.  Surely he hasn’t forgotten the 778 yards of offense that the Sooners surrendered in Morgantown in 2012?  Let’s hope not.

OU 37 West Virginia 24….I hope

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

SCATTERSHOOTING...& MAKE MINE A DOUBLE

Did you know?

Oklahoma’s first bowl game was the 1939 Orange Bowl.

Their opponent? Tennessee

Scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to the sacred principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty?’  If you run into that belief, tell ‘em that Frank Shannon is looking for ‘em. 

Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: 

"He treats us like men.  He lets us wear earrings."

The first thirty minutes of football the Sooners played against La. Tech and Tulsa were very impressive.  I know, I know…OU is supposed to dominate those type early season, non-conference opponents; but that hasn’t always been the case in recent years.  Examples?  I didn't think you'd ever ask. 2009: The tone of the evening was set right before kickoff when both of the Sooner Schooner Shetland’s took pre-game pony dumps on the new turf at Jerry’s World.  Before a Roughneck could even spray Resolve on the stain, the OU players took a dump of their own. OU was flagged for illegal procedure on 4 of their first 5 plays, lost a Heisman QB to a shoulder injury and eventually the game to BYU…Oh, and beers were $14.99 each.  2010: For the second consecutive year, the Sooners opened the season against a team from the Beehive State.  Despite being a 30 point home favorite, the Sooners bumbled their way past Utah State 31-24.  2012: The #4 ranked Sooners were a Chiclet away from getting upset by UTEP out in the west Texas town of El Paso. 2013: OU sleep-walked their way to victory over the double-directional Louisiana Un-huh’s.  Nobody will give a shit if we lose to the Vols…but it was nice to see this team have some focus.

New Orleans Saints RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season: 

"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first.”

Hey, I’d love to have Adrian Peterson lined up seven yards deep in the backfield every year, but since AD’s come along about as often as I exercise, it’s not a realistic expectation. But you know what they say…If you can’t have a Peterson, then have a Perine.  Okay, okay…so maybe that has never ever been said by anyone…but Keith Ford, Alex Ross and freshman Samaje Perine look like they might be a three headed running back monster that will have OU fans smiling All Day long nonetheless.  

In my opinion, this is the best collection of running backs the Sooners have had since pet rocks, bell-bottoms and the Bee Gee’s were all the rage back in the 70’s.  But in the name of full disclosure, I also thought disco was cool, so there you go. Add into the mix true freshman fullback Dimitri Flowers, who looks like a Trey Millard starter kit…and I would argue that running back, which what was thought to be an area of concern coming into the season, now looks to be a strength.  What is scary…is the fact that quite possibly the best running back the Sooners have on campus, Joe Mixon….is sitting in the student section. 

Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver

"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."

Sterling Shepard is a stud…I just hope QB Trevor Knight doesn’t become a one WR guy.  Much like RB, the WR position seems to be a very deep and talented position.  My breakout player for this season: Durron Neal. 

Lee Corso, College Football Analyst

"Hawaii doesn't win many games in the United States."

Ironic that we finally have a talented and deep offensive line and yet…I’m not sure I could tell you who the starters are.  This might be splitting hairs, but a couple of our lineman might want to think about making a trip to Sport Clips for a cut and color soon.

Greg Norman, Famous Australian Golfer

"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."

Things that make you go….uh, why? Death Metal.  Soap-on-a-rope. Calling a Flea-flickers up 30 points in the second half. Real Housewife’s of anywhere.  Having your 1^st team QB throwing the ball in the fourth quarter behind a third string offensive line.  People at Wal-Mart.  Title IX.  Quincy Russell.

Alan Minter, Boxer

“Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing—but none of them serious.”

Things I want to believe in…Geno Grissom, no injuries, World Peace, running more than passing, Julian Wilson = shut-down corner, Santa Claus, that our youth at safety won’t cost us a game, that Crown Royal – Cigars – and Gravy add years to your life…and that the Longhorns won’t figure it out before October 13^th.

Doug Collins

“Any time Detroit scores more than 100 points and holds the other team below 100 points, they almost always win.”

Oklahoma 41 Tennessee 13

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty