Oklahoma Quarterback To Be Tested By KSU

Sept. 26, 2001

By OWEN CANFIELD
AP Sports Writer

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma quarterback Nate Hybl only has to watch tapes of last year's game at Kansas State to see what he's in for when the Wildcats visit on Saturday.

Over and over again, Kansas State came after Josh Heupel. The Wildcats knocked him to the turf repeatedly, either as he was throwing or just after he let the ball go. Over and over again, Heupel got up and kept playing. He threw for 374 yards and Oklahoma won 41-31.

"You're going to take your shots," Hybl said. "You've got to be able to sit in there and throw the football."

How well Hybl handles that challenge could determine whether the third-ranked Sooners (3-0) continue their 16-game winning streak and beat No. 11 Kansas State for the third straight time. They beat the Wildcats twice last year - in the regular season and in the Big 12 title game.

Hybl has played well so far in replacing Heupel, completing 62 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and three interceptions. His performances in the past two games were good enough to merit a game ball for each.

But North Carolina, Air Force and North Texas, the Sooners' first three opponents, didn't go after Hybl the way the Wildcats will. Hybl has been sacked just four times, and three of those came in the opener.

"Really it's only as complicated as you make it," Hybl said. "Our offensive front is going to have to be smart. They're a very intense and very aggressive defensive style. It just takes careful study."

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Hybl needs to be consistent this week. He has played very well during stretches of all three games, but also has made his share of poor decisions. Too many of those could be costly Saturday.

Stoops said Hybl needs to be able to recognize what's coming and make the proper checks, something at which Heupel excelled. He also has to trust his protection and not get rattled by the Wildcats' rush.

"He needs to avoid the bad plays and operate within the offense and count on the players around him to help him, because it isn't just Nate," Stoops said. "Other players have to do their part to execute and have successful plays. He just has to trust that they're going to do what's necessary to do that and move the ball."

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said he has been impressed with Hybl, who before this season had not started a game since 1997, his senior year in high school. Hybl has benefited from taking the majority of snaps in the first three games, Snyder said.

"How much improvement he's made from the last game to this one remains to be seen," he said. "I would guess he is on a continual incline in regards to progress. How he responds to what we do remains to be seen."

Hybl shrugged off the suggestion that this is the first game in which he must play well in order for Oklahoma to win.

"We want to win the football game," he said. "For me personally, I think every game's been big. We've gone out there, offensively, really kind of in the spotlight with everybody wondering how we're going to perform. I think we've gotten better every week."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Quarterback To Be Tested By KSU

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