Sooner Football Gets Passing Grade In Scrimmage

April 15, 2000

Scrimmage Audio Clips!

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma ended its second spring practice under head coach Bob Stoops this afternoon with the annual Red/White Scrimmage inside Memorial Stadium. An estimated 20,450 fans were on hand as the White squad converted turnovers into points on its way to a 31-13 win.

"It was a very good day for us," noted Stoops following the scrimmage. "We got solid play from both teams and we didn't get anyone hurt. It's scrimmages like this were I think you can see the most improvement in our program. A year ago, we weren't sure of what was happening and it showed. Today, confidence was the big difference. We made key plays on defense because our guys knew what to do."

The scrimmage began like the 1999 season ended with quarterback Josh Heupel leading the offense in a quick scoring strike. On the very first play from scrimmage, Heupel connected with Antwone Savage on an 80-yard touchdown pass. That would be the last scoring drive for the Red team until late in the scrimmage.

The White team was directed on scoring drives by reserve quarterbacks Patrick Fletcher and Nate Hybl, but it was the defensive unit that made the biggest plays. Senior free safety J.T. Thatcher picked off a pair of passes and returned both for touchdowns. Thatcher's first, a 67-yard return, came off Heupel just before halftime and gave his team a 14-7 halftime lead. His second, a 45-yard return, came early in the third quarter and increased the lead to 28-7.

"J.T. made some big plays out there and we've always known that he's capable of running with the ball," added Stoops. "He's a perfect example of what I was saying about feeling comfortable and playing with confidence. Of course, it helps that he also knows the offense about as well as our offensive players do."

Final Stats

Final Score
Red: 13
White: 31

Scoring Summary

Red
Antwone Savage 80 yard pass from Josh Heupel (Tim Duncan kick good)
Dwight McKissic 7-yard run (Tim Duncan kick failed)

White
Dwight McKissic 9 yard pass from Patrick Fletcher (Jimmy Stewart kick good)
Julius McMillan 21 yard pass from Nate Hybl (Jimmy Stewart kick good)
J.T. Thatcher 67-yard interception return (Stewart extra point kick good)
J.T. Thatcher 45-yard interception return
Jimmy Stewart 38 yard FG

Red Stats

Passing

Josh Heupel	16-26 for 214 yards, 1 TD (80 yards), 1 INT
Patrick Fletcher	1-2 for 10 yards, 2 INT
Nate Hybl	0-5

Receiving

Anwtone Savage	3 for 94 yards, 1TD
Damien Mackey	2 for 9 yards
Josh Norman	3 for 32 yards
Trent Smith	2 for 29 yards
Seth Littrell	4 for 31 yards
Andre Woolfolk	2 for 17 yards
Chris Hammons	1 for 12 yards

Rushing

Seth Littrell	3 for 39 yards
Josh Heupel	12 for -27 yards
Josh Norman	1 for 5 yards
Dwight McKissic	3 for 35 yards, 1 TD
Patrick Fletcher	1 for -9 yards
Anwtone Savage	1 for 11 yards

White Stats

Passing

Nate Hybl	10-13 for 109 yards, 1 TD (21 yard Pass)
Patrick Fletcher	8-11 for 23 yards, 1TD (9 yard Pass)
Jason White	4-11 for 20 yards

Receiving

John Connor	4 for 4 yards
Dwight McKissic	5 for 20 yards, 1 TD
Curtis Fagan	3 for 13 yards
Seth Littrell	1 for no gain
Julius McMillan	4 for 35 yards, 1 TD
Danny Cork	3 for 11 yards
Jarvis Smith	1 for 60 yards
Ryan Daniel	1 for 9 yards
Buck Scifres	1 for 6 yards