SOONERS SEASON GOES WIDE LEFT IN 31-30 LOSS TO 'CATS

#11 OKLAHOMA 30 #15 KANSAS STATE 31

OU-KSU:

19 Thought Shot From the Lip

“To: Denzel, Merry F****** Christmas” –Trevor Knight

1: On first down, with the ball inside their own one yard line, Trevor Knight attempts to throw a four yard out-route to the wide-side of the field.  Playing in a cover-2 defense, KSU defensive back Denzel McDaniel simply steps in front of intended receiver Durron Neal, picks the ball off and waltzes into the end-zone for a touchdown.  It was McDaniel’s first career interception, first career touchdown and probably the last time either will ever be that easy. 

I was in such a state of disbelief by what I’d just witnessed, that I just sat there in stunned silence…which could be a first for me.  Believe me, my sudden newfound composure wasn’t due to a lack of being pissed off, because I was definitely that and more…I just didn’t know who to dog cuss first, QB Trevor Knight or offensive coordinator Josh Heupel. So I did the only logical thing…I cussed ‘em both.

 "Just when I think you couldn't be any dumber"

-Harry from Dumb & Dumber

2. Before the first snap of the second quarter, the Sooners get flagged for delay of game.  Seriously?  How the hell does a team get a delay of game penalty after an end of the quarter television time out break?  So you’re telling me that in the time it takes for ABC to air two sit-com promos, a Ford F-150 commercial and tout a suggestion for erectile dysfunction, that we can’t get an f-ing play called and in position to run it? 

Hell, I could’ve borrowed a piece of paper, whittled a pencil, made up a play, named it, walked it down to the third string punter, introduced myself, taught him how to signal it in to the QB and then called an audible in the amount of time allocated to sponsors during those breaks. That has to be some sort of pathetic new low in game/clock management.

3. Remember when the Sooners were seemingly invincible at home?  Yah, me neither.  With the loss to KSU on Saturday, OU has now lost three of their last thirteen home games dating back to 2012.

“Four score and seven points ago”

4: The Sooner defense continues to give up too many big plays as evidenced by the fact that half of the Wildcats 385 total yards came from only four plays.

"It's like Deja vu all over again" - Yogi Berra

5: The game on Saturday was a match-up of two very similar football teams. #11 OU and #15 K-State both came into the game with identical 5-1 records and nearly identical numbers in 5 major statistical categories:  scoring average, offensive rushing yards, offensive passing yards, time of possession and points allowed.  When you have a match-up of this nature, the team that usually wins the game, is the one that makes the fewest mistakes.  Mistakes: OU 3 KSU 0. 

The game was very reminiscent of the one these two team played the last time the Wildcats came to Norman.  In that 2012 contest, Oklahoma QB Landry Jones gift wrapped a touchdown to the Wildcats when he fumbled near his own goal line while attempting to scramble...a big swing that KSU would eventually win 24-19.

6:  By putting seven and sometimes eight defenders ‘in the box’, the Wildcat defensive strategy was obvious: take away the Sooners running game and force QB Trevor Knight to try and beat us through the air.  If not for the one horrific throw that resulted in a pick six, Knight would’ve done just that. Against the ‘Cats on Saturday, Trevor was 26 of 32 for 318 yards and three touchdowns…an awesome game by anyone’s standards.

If OU had pulled this game out, the Sooner Nation would be talking about how Knight shook off the early injury; how he was able to bounce back from the early INT to lead the Sooners to a hard fought, come from behind win.

And If  I was six foot eight….then I’d be the perfect size for my weight…but I’m not…and the Sooners didn’t…which means I’m fat…and everyone in Crimson & Cream will be focusing on the pick six and how it’s the main reason for the loss.

“Eight will have to wait another year”

7: The loss to K-State on Saturday was a crushing blow to this teams pre-season goals. Not only does the loss eliminate the Sooners from playoff contention and shot at an 8^th national championship…it may’ve also made winning the Big 12 extremely difficult if not impossible.

“Sterling Shepard and the 7 Dwarfs”

8: Eight different Sooners caught passes on Saturday, including Miciah Quick & Austin Bennett…each of whom made their first career catch.

9: While Alex Ross has been a game changer on special teams, he has struggled to find his grove when in the game at running back.  Saturday, Ross was better, carrying the ball 8 times for 75 yards, an average of 9.1 yards a tote.

10: Samaje Perine scored his 10^th touchdown of the year on Saturday.  He’s the ninth freshman in OU history to score 10 or more touchdowns as a freshman.

11:  The Sooners had to play the final 11:00 minutes of the game with only one time out.  OU burns way too many time-outs trying to avoid delay of game penalties on offense…and trying to catch a frickin’ clue on defense.  I seriously think they would burn all 6 of their time-outs in the first-half if that was an option.

12: I thought OU back-up QB Cody Thomas did well in the limited time he played.  Thomas entered the game when Knight got dinged up in the first quarter. Thomas manned the offensive reigns for the final 8 plays of a 12 play, 79 yard touchdown drive that gave the Sooners a temporary 7-0 lead.  Thomas, who was 2 for 2 passing and made a nice play on an errant snap, didn’t seem overwhelmed by the moment.

13:  Sooner Safety Ahmad Thomas (#13) looks more like Marlo Thomas right now on defense.  I’m sorry, I hate to be critical of a kid…and I’m sure he’s trying, but he just isn’t good.  I’m sure that Ahmad is a great kid who loves his momma, says please and thank you when he’s supposed to and would no doubt stop to help a little old lady cross the street if need be…but we don’t need an f-ing boy scout in our secondary, we need a safety.  Thomas, who looks completely lost out there, has proven time and time again that he couldn’t cover a fence post.  Why aren’t Byrd or Parker getting a shot at playing time?  They were supposed to be the greatest things to come along since soap-on-a-rope and the snuggie…but they can’t beat out Thomas?

14:  The number of feet KSU defensive back Denzel McDaniel had to carry the football he’d just been thrown for a touchdown.

“Simply the best”

15: Sterling Shepard caught a career high 15 passes (197 yards and a touchdown) on Saturday, tying a school record. (Brown 2012, Broyles 2010, Saunders 2012)

  

16: This is Bob Stoops 16^th season as head coach, and in those 16 years I can’t think of an offensive play call worse than the one that Heupel made on when the Sooners were at their own 1 yard line to start the second quarter.

For the most part, I’m a fan of Josh Heupel, but I haven’t seem a decision that bad in Norman since John Blake was hired.

“Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is usually from the noblest motives” – Oscar Wilde

17: On 2^nd and 8 from the KSU seventeen yard line, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel called for a wide-receiver-reverse pass.  Hmmm.  Interesting.  I’ll be the first to admit, if the play had worked, I’d probably be trumpeting it as genius.  But when you make this kind of call and your wide receiver throws a wounded duck into triple coverage that is subsequently intercepted in the end-zone, well, you look like a huge moron.

18: Despite have 1^st and goal from the 4 yard line, and 2^nd a goal from the 2, the Sooners were unable to get into the end-zone.  Trailing 31-30 with only 4:00 to play, the Sooners decided to play it safe and kick the field goal.

It would be an 18 yard attempt, with the ball being spotted between the hash marks.  It’s was the equivalent of an extra point.  A gimme.  It’s a kick that a Lou Groza Award finalist like Michael Hunnicutt makes 99.9 times out of 100 times.  Hell, it’s a kick that some guy dressed in a Members Only Jacket, camo shorts and tassel loafers was able to make about 90 minutes ago during halftime to win free hamburgers from Carl Jr’s for a year.

There was no way that the kicker who holds the record for most made field goals in Big 12 history was going to miss this.  For the all-time leading scorer in OU history and one of only 20 player to score 400-points in their career, things like 18 yard field goals are automatic, right?

Well, not so much.  For the second time in the game, Michael Hunnicutt was wide left on an easy field goal attempt.  With OU having only one timeout left, all KSU had to do to run out the clock, was pick up one first down…which they did.

Obviously, Hunnicutt is devastated.  I can’t imagine what he has been going through the last couple day…but while his misses no doubt played a big part, Hunnicutt is not the only one to blame for the loss…because there were plenty of other Sooner players and coaches who were off the mark this past Saturday.

With both of the two lofty pre-season goals off the table, it will be interesting to see how this team responds.  With Baylor, OSU, a trip to Lubbock and a pesky Iowa State still left on the schedule, if they don't pull it together it could get ugly....like Texas Bowl ugly

19.  ….looks like I came up 1 short as well

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

SOONERS SOMEHOW SURVIVE HORNS 31-26

OKLAHOMA 31 TEXAS 26

Yes, a win is a win and the Sooner Nation will gladly take it, especially when that victory comes against the University of Texas.  But that being said, don’t let the final score of the 109^th annual OU-Texas game fool you...the Oklahoma Sooners got out played and flat-out kicked around in the Cotton Bowl last Saturday by an undermanned, below average Texas Longhorn football team.

OU-Texas for the 109th Time

"Won't you take it, to the limit, one more time" - The Eagles

As was the case against West Virginia, Alex Ross’ kickoff return for a touchdown not only changed the momentum of the game, but most likely, the outcome of it as well.

 Alex Ross Kickoff Return

"Deep Fried Thoughts"...by The OAS

It May Sound Corny but...

Fletcher's says that during an average 24-day fair season, their stands sell nearly 630,000 corny dogs. If you laid all those dogs end to end, they would stretch from Big Tex all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

If you laid three of those dogs from end to end, they would stretch to approximately three feet...which is the amount of total offense the Sooners were able to accumulate in the first quarter.

"I Get a Kick Out of You" - Frank Sinatra

Michael Hunnicutt nailed a long field goal in the first half that gave the Sooners a 10-3 lead.  Hunnicutt, who has now made a field goal in 23 consecutive games for the Sooners, now has over 400-points in his career…only the 20^th player in NCAA history to reach that mark.

Punter Jed Barnett, was very good last Saturday.  Barnett averaged 43.8 yards on his nine kicks, one of which was a 66 yarder that changed the field position advantage back to the Sooners. 

      "Deep Fried Thoughts"...by The OAS

"Colonel Mustard, in the Midway....with 10 coupons"

 The State Fair reports that corny dog connoisseurs consume over 1500 gallons of mustard during the average 24 day fair session.   

Sanchez & Wilson

One week after watching our two starting cornerbacks get beat more often than an NFL wife, Sanchez and Wilson rebounded and played pretty well against the Longhorns. Sanchez couldn't tackle me, but he is a ball hawk.  His pick six, along with Ross' kickoff return, were the reasons the Sooners were able to win.

Sanchez Pick Six

The Weather

Cloudy, slight wind out of the NW at 11mph with a game time temperature of 58 degree’s?  That’s like fat guy heaven. Thank you Mother Nature,

"Another Deep Fried Thought"...by The OAS

Batter Up

The State Fair reports that it takes 50,000 lbs. of mix to make  enough corny dog batter for the 24-day fair session. 

The Sooners Plead: Not Guilty 

The Sooners were wrongly penalized three times for 20 yards in the game...while the Longhorns were caught cheating 11 times for 85 yards.  The Charlie Strong plan for discipline is having a tough start in Austin.

The Name's Bond.  Devante Bond.

Devonte Bond made his first appearance of the year for the Sooners and seemed to bring a little energy to the defense.  He came into the game for Geno Grissom who is still struggling with the read option run game.  If Geno doesn't have an ah-ha moment this week and suddenly figure it out, look for Bond to get an increased amount of playing time against K-State...since the read option is their specialty.

Offensive Knight-Mares

I thought this was the game that the Sooners coaching staff would finally turn Trevor Knight loose and let him run the football.  I was wrong.  
I understand they don't want to risk him getting hurt, but by not letting him run the football, they have already lost one game...and almost another.  Not letting Knight play to his strengths has train-wrecked this offense to the point that it has no identity.
Knight's strengths are running the football and throwing while rolling out or on the run.  Those strengths were the basis of why the Sooners implemented the zone-read option offense.
But the only option that Knight ever chooses is option 1, which is to hand-off to the running back.  He never fakes the handoff to run with it...and wouldn't you know it...somehow the defensive coordinators for the other teams have noticed that.  
If Knight doesn't ever run with it, it's no longer a zone-read option.  What it is, is a delayed handoff, 5 yards deep in your own backfield...that the opposing defense can tee-off on without hesitation.  Asking your offensive line to hold their blocks that long, when the opposition doesn't have to worry about being faked out, is like asking a security guard to break up the Mexican drug cartel.

"Another Deep Fried Thought"...by The OAS

Grease is the Word

The State Fair reports that the food vendors at the State Fair go through roughly 21,000 gallons of oil during the fair session.

Jordan Evans

14 tackles (7 solo) including a couple that left a mark.  I love this guy.

Knight-Mares II

Trevor Knight is NOT a pocket QB.  I went back last week and watched a replay of the Sugar Bowl (insert your own I need to get a life joke here).  Against Alabama, the Sooners had him rolling out to both sides to throw the ball.  They didn't ask him to stand in the pocket.
When Knight tries to be a pocket passer, he is like a brown shoe at a formal...very uncomfortable and out of place.  He likes to tap dance with his feet and lock his eyes in on his first option, which is usually Sterling Shepard.

"Another Deep Fried Thought"...by The OAS

Grease is the Word

Did you know that a corny dog only has about 225 calories each?  No wonder I feel so good, I only had 900 calories on Saturday.

Tunnel Vision...Incomplete Pass

Trevor has got to learn to go through his progressions. To often he locks in on his first option and never looks for anyone else.
Trevor, you're in college, so let me explain it to you like this....it's like making a booty call.  If the first girl doesn't answer or isn't available, you don't wait...you call another girl...and then another...until you finally find an available girl. 

Third Downs to First Downs 

First Downs:  Texas  24   Oklahoma  11

Want to know why we got beat against TCU and couldn't put away a bad Texas team?  Third down conversions.  This is the most important down in football...it extends drives when you have the ball on offense...and it stops an opponent's drive and keeps your defense fresh when you don't have the ball.

The Longhorns converted their first six 3rd down attempts and went 7 for 11 in the first half and 10 of 18 for the game. The Sooners converted 1 out of their 11 chances on 3rd down.
One.  Uno.  Less than two and only slightly better than none. That means I had more corny dogs than the Sooners had converted 3rd downs on Saturday.

                               Time of possession:
                    Texas 37:58  Oklahoma 22:02
See above.

"Another Deep Fried Thought"...by The OAS

That's a lot of Weiner

The corny dog stands use over 60,000 lbs. of hot dogs during the 24-day fair session.

Ahmad Thomas

The Oklahoma safety may have had ten tackles, but when it comes to pass coverage, he couldn't cover a man-hole.  Mike Stoops says it's a lack of communication.  Really?  Well, since all the yelling you do at him every time he comes off the field isn't getting through to him, maybe you ought to play someone who can hear.

The Final Score 

Oklahoma 31- Texas 26

Oh, by the way….the Sooners did win the game.

Going Forward...
The Sooners find themselves in much the same position after six games as they did in 2013.
- 5-1 record. (2-1 Conference)
- Big home game against a ranked opponent looming
- Questions surrounding the QB and offensive direction 
- A defense that gives up to many 3rd down conversions, big plays and has trouble with running QB's
- But this team still has everything to play for, since all the goals they set for the season are still seemingly obtainable.

College Football...you just got to love it...with or without the mustard.

Just the opinion of one mildly interested guy

The Overweight Armchair Sooner

Buddy Putty

GREAT BOB STOOPS IMPERSONATION

This guy's impersonation of Bob Stoops is amazing