Buffs Prepare For Aerial Assault

Oct. 29, 1999

By JOHN MOSSMAN AP Sports Writer

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - It's probably premature to talk about a resurgence at once-mighty Oklahoma, six times a national champion but unable to finish above .500 since 1993.

But at least one opponent, Colorado coach Gary Barnett, sees a boom in Sooners fortunes after their 4-2 start this season.

"All that program needed was some confidence," Barnett said. "They've always had great athletes, great tradition, great resources. It's in a part of the country where football is king. It's been sitting there and just needs some wins under its belt, some confidence before it becomes a monster for the rest of us, a major player again."

The Sooners, under first-year head coach Bob Stoops, have vaulted to No. 24 in the Associated Press poll on the strength of an explosive offense utilizing the spread formation that offensive coordinator Mike Leach brought with him from Kentucky in the offseason.

OU ranks third in the nation in both passing (344.8 yards per game) and scoring (40.8 points). Behind Josh Heupel, the seventh-leading passer in the country, the Sooners have topped 500 yards in four games this season and are averaging 454.5.

"Oklahoma scores on you so fast," Barnett said. "They get up on everybody pretty quick. Two (opponents) have bounced back. The rest have just been suffocated by them."

Oklahoma's most impressive victory came last week against then-No. 13 Texas A&M. The Sooners jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead and never let up in a 51-6 romp, handing the Aggies their worst loss since 1901. Heupel accounted for six touchdowns in about three quarters of work, completing 31 of 50 passes for 372 yards and three scores and running for three more.

"Their quarterback has been outstanding," Barnett said, "and they have a couple of wide receivers who are catching the ball well. They're throwing it all over the lot and creating all sorts of problems for opposing defenses."

Barnett was exaggerating when he said, "They've got more guys listed as having caught passes than we've got on our team." But not by much. Nineteen Sooners have at least one reception this season.

"You can't cover everything, which is why Oklahoma is doing what they're doing," Colorado secondary coach Tom McMahon said. "It's as unusual an offense as any I've seen, and I've coached a lot of places."

Similar to the offenses used by Purdue and Kentucky, the Sooners (2-1 in the Big 12) deploy four or five wide receivers. Heupel gets most of his passes away in 2.3 seconds, which helps explain why he has been sacked only nine times.

Opposing teams have used eight players in coverage and rushed three defenders, while others have dropped nine and rushed two.

"You have to pick your spots," Barnett said.

Colorado (4-3, 3-1) eked out a 16-12 win over Iowa State last week behind backup quarterback Zac Colvin, who made his first start in place of the injured Mike Moschetti (concussion). Second-half interceptions by Damen Wheeler and Ben Kelly helped preserve the victory.

Moschetti is expected back this week, but the Buffaloes likely will be missing starting strong safety Michael Lewis (ankle) - not a promising situation given the pressure that the Oklahoma offense puts on an opposing secondary.

Sophomore Robbie Robinson will start in place of Lewis, and sophomore Nate Wright will replace Donald Strickland (shoulder) as the No. 1 nickel back.

"Colorado has good balance on offense, and they get some big plays throwing the ball," Stoops said. "Defensively, they mix up their pressure and their coverages. They've got big-play potential in their special teams. They're near the bottom of the league in punt returns, but I've seen three of them (by Kelly) go for touchdowns that were called back by penalties."

Colorado is 7-0-1 in the last eight meetings, including four straight wins. The teams haven't played in Boulder since 1994, when the Buffs won 45-7.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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