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University of Oklahoma Athletics
The Sugar Bowl Matchup
December 24, 2003 | Football
The Associated Press breaks down the Sugar Bowl matchup this way:
Quarterback
Jason White has been the feel-good story of the college football season, rebounding from a pair of serious knee injuries to win the Heisman Trophy. White has 40 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions this season, but he is far from mobile, and Kansas State did a good job of confusing him in the Big 12 title game by dropping back as many as eight defenders in passing situations. ... Matt Mauck of LSU will not be rattled. He is 24 years old, highly intelligent, and more mobile than White. But he is not a particularly accurate passer, and he needs to be at the top of his game against Oklahoma.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Running back
Oklahoma's running game took a step back this season in the absence of the departed Quentin Griffin and ranked just 61st nationally. Kejuan Jones and Renaldo Works combined for 1,580 yards and 19 touchdowns. The running game disappeared after the first quarter against Kansas State and that put way too much pressure on White. ... LSU uses three freshman and a sophomore in the backfield. The centerpiece is freshman Justin Vincent, who has rushed for over 100 yards in the last three games and exploded for 201 yards in the Tigers' 34-13 victory over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference title game.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Receivers
White centers his attention on Mark Clayton and with good reason. Clayton has 1,393 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and has the ability to take a five-yard slant pattern into a long gain. Scouts say the best way to stop Clayton is to keep the ball away from him early and get him frustrated. Brandon Jones is a capable No. 2 receiver with eight touchdown catches. ... Michael Clayton of LSU has 10 TD catches this season and uses his 6-4 frame to his advantage. Speedster Devery Henderson caught 11 TD passes this year, but is best known for his "Bluegrass Miracle" catch last season that beat Kentucky.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Offensive Line
Oklahoma has done an excellent job of giving the relatively slow-footed White plenty of time to throw. The Sooners use ample shotgun formations, which puts a premium on pass blockers such as tackle Jammal Brown. The run blocking fell apart against Kansas State and coach Bob Stoops has had a month to correct the problem. Vince Carter is one of the most athletic centers in the nation and will have his hands full with Tigers DT Chad Lavalais. ... LSU features an experienced offensive line that has a combined 156 starts. Senior G Stephen Peterman is the leader of the unit. Sophomore Andrew Whitworth, an imposing figure at 6-7 and 325 pounds, already is one of the best offensive lineman in the SEC.
Edge: Even
. . . . . . .
Defensive Line
Sooners tackle Tommie Harris won the Lombardi Award and makes plays even when he is double-teamed. Defensive end Dan Cody has overcome a battle with depression and is a quick and agile defensive end. As a unit, the Sooners sometimes struggle against speedy quarterbacks such as Kansas State's Ell Roberson. Luckily for the Sooners, Matt Mauck is not quite as mobile. ... DT Chad Lavalais was a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He is ultra-quick and lines up at various points along the defensive line. Marcus Spears is a versatile lineman who had five sacks. DE Marquise Hill tries to get by on physical skills alone and the Sooners could key on him.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Linebackers
Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the country and made 109 tackles, including 57 solo stops. Lehman relies on exceptional speed and excels at forcing the action inside. Gayron Allen and Pasha Jackson often are freed up when Lehman is double-teamed. ... Lionel Turner took over for former All-America Bradie Jones this season and the Tigers' didn't miss a beat as he had 69 tackles. Senior Eric Alexander finally worked his way into the lineup this season after four years on special teams.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Secondary
Sooners cornerback Derrick Strait won the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and is physical enough to knock receivers off their route. Strong safety Donte Nicholson, a former junior college player, is a hard hitter who plays a key role in the run defense. ... Desperate for a playmaker in the secondary, LSU coach Nick Saban inserted freshman LaRon Landry and his hard-hitting style at free safety. The move paid off as it made the defensive line more active. Corey Webster, who began his college career on offense, is one of the nation's top cover cornerbacks and has 13 career interceptions.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Special Teams
Trey DiCarlo of Oklahoma made 19-of-22 field goals, but two of those misses were in the Big 12 title game. Antonio Perkins is a dangerous kick returner who took back an NCAA-record three punts for touchdowns against UCLA. ... The kicking game has been a notable problem at LSU where freshmen Chris Jackson and Ryan Gaudet have been switched back-and-forth on almost a weekly basis. Jackson missed an extra point and had two other kicks blocked in the SEC title game. Skyler Green leads the nation in punt return average (19.8 yards).
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Coaches
Bob Stoops traditionally has his team ready to play in big games, which made the flat effort in the Big 12 title game so striking. He longer has to worry about his team being overconfident. He is helping out in the secondary after co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops left to become coach at Arizona. ... Nick Saban may not be the most media friendly of coaches, but that doesn't matter. He used the loss to Florida as motivation and has used the role of underdog for all it's worth. Both Stoops and Saban have been mentioned as candidates for NFL vacancies, although both claim not to be interested. Stoops won a national title in his second year at Oklahoma. Saban seeks one in his fourth year at LSU.
Edge: Oklahoma
Quarterback
Jason White has been the feel-good story of the college football season, rebounding from a pair of serious knee injuries to win the Heisman Trophy. White has 40 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions this season, but he is far from mobile, and Kansas State did a good job of confusing him in the Big 12 title game by dropping back as many as eight defenders in passing situations. ... Matt Mauck of LSU will not be rattled. He is 24 years old, highly intelligent, and more mobile than White. But he is not a particularly accurate passer, and he needs to be at the top of his game against Oklahoma.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Running back
Oklahoma's running game took a step back this season in the absence of the departed Quentin Griffin and ranked just 61st nationally. Kejuan Jones and Renaldo Works combined for 1,580 yards and 19 touchdowns. The running game disappeared after the first quarter against Kansas State and that put way too much pressure on White. ... LSU uses three freshman and a sophomore in the backfield. The centerpiece is freshman Justin Vincent, who has rushed for over 100 yards in the last three games and exploded for 201 yards in the Tigers' 34-13 victory over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference title game.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Receivers
White centers his attention on Mark Clayton and with good reason. Clayton has 1,393 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and has the ability to take a five-yard slant pattern into a long gain. Scouts say the best way to stop Clayton is to keep the ball away from him early and get him frustrated. Brandon Jones is a capable No. 2 receiver with eight touchdown catches. ... Michael Clayton of LSU has 10 TD catches this season and uses his 6-4 frame to his advantage. Speedster Devery Henderson caught 11 TD passes this year, but is best known for his "Bluegrass Miracle" catch last season that beat Kentucky.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Offensive Line
Oklahoma has done an excellent job of giving the relatively slow-footed White plenty of time to throw. The Sooners use ample shotgun formations, which puts a premium on pass blockers such as tackle Jammal Brown. The run blocking fell apart against Kansas State and coach Bob Stoops has had a month to correct the problem. Vince Carter is one of the most athletic centers in the nation and will have his hands full with Tigers DT Chad Lavalais. ... LSU features an experienced offensive line that has a combined 156 starts. Senior G Stephen Peterman is the leader of the unit. Sophomore Andrew Whitworth, an imposing figure at 6-7 and 325 pounds, already is one of the best offensive lineman in the SEC.
Edge: Even
. . . . . . .
Defensive Line
Sooners tackle Tommie Harris won the Lombardi Award and makes plays even when he is double-teamed. Defensive end Dan Cody has overcome a battle with depression and is a quick and agile defensive end. As a unit, the Sooners sometimes struggle against speedy quarterbacks such as Kansas State's Ell Roberson. Luckily for the Sooners, Matt Mauck is not quite as mobile. ... DT Chad Lavalais was a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He is ultra-quick and lines up at various points along the defensive line. Marcus Spears is a versatile lineman who had five sacks. DE Marquise Hill tries to get by on physical skills alone and the Sooners could key on him.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Linebackers
Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the country and made 109 tackles, including 57 solo stops. Lehman relies on exceptional speed and excels at forcing the action inside. Gayron Allen and Pasha Jackson often are freed up when Lehman is double-teamed. ... Lionel Turner took over for former All-America Bradie Jones this season and the Tigers' didn't miss a beat as he had 69 tackles. Senior Eric Alexander finally worked his way into the lineup this season after four years on special teams.
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Secondary
Sooners cornerback Derrick Strait won the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and is physical enough to knock receivers off their route. Strong safety Donte Nicholson, a former junior college player, is a hard hitter who plays a key role in the run defense. ... Desperate for a playmaker in the secondary, LSU coach Nick Saban inserted freshman LaRon Landry and his hard-hitting style at free safety. The move paid off as it made the defensive line more active. Corey Webster, who began his college career on offense, is one of the nation's top cover cornerbacks and has 13 career interceptions.
Edge: LSU
. . . . . . .
Special Teams
Trey DiCarlo of Oklahoma made 19-of-22 field goals, but two of those misses were in the Big 12 title game. Antonio Perkins is a dangerous kick returner who took back an NCAA-record three punts for touchdowns against UCLA. ... The kicking game has been a notable problem at LSU where freshmen Chris Jackson and Ryan Gaudet have been switched back-and-forth on almost a weekly basis. Jackson missed an extra point and had two other kicks blocked in the SEC title game. Skyler Green leads the nation in punt return average (19.8 yards).
Edge: Oklahoma
. . . . . . .
Coaches
Bob Stoops traditionally has his team ready to play in big games, which made the flat effort in the Big 12 title game so striking. He longer has to worry about his team being overconfident. He is helping out in the secondary after co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops left to become coach at Arizona. ... Nick Saban may not be the most media friendly of coaches, but that doesn't matter. He used the loss to Florida as motivation and has used the role of underdog for all it's worth. Both Stoops and Saban have been mentioned as candidates for NFL vacancies, although both claim not to be interested. Stoops won a national title in his second year at Oklahoma. Saban seeks one in his fourth year at LSU.
Edge: Oklahoma
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