Onyenegecha Talks Texas and K-State

NORMAN, Okla. -- For anyone who ever said defense wins championships, the 99th edition of OU-Texas is further proof. Oklahoma is a storied program that has prided itself on fielding a powerhouse defense year after year. OU's blanking of a strong Texas squad at the Cotton Bowl last Saturday should come as no surprise.

Texas Tech was a precursor. The Sooner defense managed to force multiple fumbles and successfully pressure Red Raider quarterback Sonny Cumbie in the 28-13 win. OU held Tech without a touchdown until the waning moments of the game when the outcome was already decided. One week later, Cumbie lit up Nebraska for 436 yards and five touchdowns in a 70-10 romp.

In the Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma's corner blitzes contained Texas quarterback Vince Young and the defensive line held stout against what was the nation's No. 1 runner, Cedric Benson.

Oklahoma defensive back Chijioke Onyenegecha -- whose first name translates to "God's gift" -- poses a threat not only in the secondary, but also in the backfield. Onyenegecha had two pass breakups and four tackles in the game including a decisive sack of Young that helped seal the 12-0 shutout for the Sooners.

The following is a conversation with Onyenegecha after Monday's practice...

Was your first OU-Texas experience everything you thought it would be?
My first experience in the OU-Texas game was pretty exciting. The crowd was amazing and it was also the first time that I have ever played a big game like that on national TV. It was overwhelming. It was all new to me so I was just going with the flow. I had a great time -- especially because we got the win.

What were you thinking when neither team had scored toward the end of the first half?
I wasn't nervous really. Once you get that first series past you, you get used to the crowd and the opposition. Once you get in your comfort zone, your confidence is there and you just play the receivers. Seeing how the receivers run and route it made me comfortable because I could see that I was better than those guys. Texas' receivers are great players, but I just felt that I was the better athlete. Once you are in your comfort zone you have to pull out your "Superman" because as a corner you must have a lot of confidence or you're going to get beat.

How exciting was it to utilize the corner blitz against Texas?
It was pretty exciting because we don't get to do it much. Texas Tech -- we couldn't do it much because they pass a lot. Texas is more of a running team so it worked well against a team like that.

Talk about your first sack as a Sooner and how it felt to have it come against OU's biggest rival...
It was really exciting because you know it was a third and short and we needed a big play. So Coach called the corner blitz, which was actually a double blitz and Perkins gave me a good look because he came up first and got his hands up, stalling Vince (Young). The stall made Vince pump fake, giving me enough time to come in off the edge. It was a team effort because if Perk hadn't caused the pump fake, then Vince would have gotten the ball off in time.

This year was a much closer game in terms of scoring...
You can't run up the scoreboard every time. When you're in a tight game it's like they say, 'defense wins championships', so you have to play tough. Our offense had a few turnovers, but you can't score 60 points in every game. Some games are going to be tight and we just have to tough it out.

With the Texas game now behind you, what is your outlook on the rest of the Big 12?
We still have a bunch of goals and the first of those is to win the Big 12 Championship. Kansas State is a big-name team, so that is where our focus is right now. Beating Texas doesn't mean that we're going to win the Big 12. You have to try and win every game.

When you first got to OU, many thought that you had the potential to contribute immediately to this team...
When you get your opportunity, be ready. I didn't know when it would come, but I have been working hard in practice, defense, and special teams. Coach said to always be ready and I guess my time has come.

At what point did everything seem to fall into place?
I started practicing well in the summer. I'm starting to get comfortable and get acclimated to everything -- like the scenery and Norman. I'm starting to get used to my school load. Everything is starting to come together and I'm continuing to mature.

Being a physically bigger cornerback, how do you use your size to your advantage?
My whole life I had always been kind of small. I grew towards the end of high school and got tall. I always have just played hard and I never really looked at it as me being bigger than the receiver. I just go up the line and utilize my technique.

I love tackling. Playing physical is just a part of the game. I never really thought that I was big until everybody kept telling me. I just thought of myself as a regular guy.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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