Clayton Now a Special Teams Threat

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma senior receiver Mark Clayton knows a little bit about living up to expectations. Clayton was recently named a Biletnikoff semifinalist for the second consecutive year. He was the only finalist from last season to return to college ball.

Clayton is just 84 yards away from amassing 3,000 receiving yards in his career. He has 551 yards this season -- 278 accumulated after the catch. Last year at Owen Field against the Aggies, Clayton piled up 166 yards and three touchdowns in the 77-0 blowout.

The only thing more intimidating than those statistics? This time Clayton is a threat even when the offense is on the sideline.

Sooner Gameday Central: Texas A&M | OU Quotes | Game Notes

After the turnover on the punt return, did you feel a sense of urgency to come back out and make a big play?
No, not really. It was just a mistake and nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes, but you just have to come back and do your job. It doesn't make sense to argue (about having touched the ball). There is no instant replay. What they call is what they call. No matter what you say, the ref is going to make his call, so I figure I can save my breath and just go to the sideline.

Do you feel like you answered any questions after your 50-yard punt return?
Hopefully. It was a competition between me and Antonio to do it our sophomore year and Antonio got the job. He's done exceptionally well with it. We have a lot of guys with the ability to do the job and with the way our linemen block, anybody could go out there and just run around the corners and score.

Talk about your experience as a punt returner...
I returned a couple in high school. I got up to OU and the first one that was ever kicked to me was super high and I was scared of doing punt returns from then on so I didn't really want to do it.

Who else played well on Saturday?
We've got a great group of guys. Mark Bradley came up really big with four receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns. With the way our lineman having been playing, any of us could have a great day.

How tough is it to play at Kyle Field?
I remember a couple of years ago it was so loud at one point that we couldn't even hear the play in the huddle. That was about the loudest as I can ever remember it.

What are your thoughts on all of the talk about A&M wanting revenge from last year's 77-0 loss?
We're really only concerned about this year's game. We just have to focus and do what we do. This is a whole new team and all of that is in the past.

Your thoughts on A&M's defense...
They run pretty much the same schemes as other teams, but they are more fundamentally sound.

Compare some of the receivers from the class before you to our current group of receivers...
They were a group of guys that weren't naturally receivers. They came in as quarterbacks and defensive backs and then they were converted to receivers. They did a really good job of taking on a new position. Now, we have receivers coming in that have been learning the trade since junior high because that's what they've always played so they are more comfortable at it. Our group has a few pure receivers in it.

What does it say about the Sooners when OSU loses to OU and still moves up in the polls?
Did they? I didn't know. I guess it doesn't really matter to us. We just have to continue playing our game.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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