BIG1217
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Don't count out Sooners quite yet
By Jono Greco The Oklahoma Daily
NORMAN, Okla. — Things may seem bleak in Norman after suffering three losses within the last week, but all is not lost for the No.13 football team.
Yes, the Sooners lost to 23-point underdog No. 9 Brigham Young University in the season opener. And yes, Heisman-winning junior quarterback Sam Bradford is out for two to four weeks and All-American senior tight end Jermaine Gresham is gone for the season.
But, there is a flickering light at the end of what seems to be a caved-in tunnel. So, there isn't a need to worry just yet.
The Sooners have the Idaho State Bengals coming into Norman Saturday, and the game should serve as a nice rebound with freshman quarterback Landry Jones making his first career start. Jones was expected to get some playing time against the Bengals, with the thought that the Sooners would be healthy and the offense working on all cylinders. Bradford and the rest of the
first-team offense would have had their way with Idaho State, and head coach Bob Stoops would have sent in the backups to finish the game.
With the recent hiccups in the master plan, Jones gave OU fans a nice preview to what is most likely the team's future once Bradford leaves for the National Football League. Jones played well but received very little support, and Stoops said he was impressed with Jones' performance.
What should worry OU is the fact it has a bunch of inexperienced players playing undisciplined football.
Against BYU, the Sooners sent out six first-time players, and surrendered 93 yards off 12 penalties. The majority of the penalties can be credited to an offensive line that is still trying to find its identity.
If the Sooners don't get their act together in time for Big 12 play, then it will be a long season for the coaches, the team and the fans. But OU has not reached the point of no return yet, so there isn't a reason to push the panic button.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is pressured out of the pocket by BYU defenders during Saturday's matchup in Arlington, Texas. Jones took the field after quarterback Sam Bradford was removed from the game with a shoulder injury.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 11,2009