Defense Shines in OU's Spring Game

NORMAN, Okla. -- A shorted-handed offense, playing without numerous starters, punched in three touchdowns Saturday in OU's annual football Spring Game. The team used a scoring system that also awarded points to the defense and it was the defense that prevailed, 63-36.

A crowd of 28,592 watched the Sooners reel off 126 plays on a sun-kissed afternoon at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The offensive unit played without the likes of DeMarco Murray, Chris Brown, Jermaine Gresham, Brody Eldridge and Matt Clapp. The group was held out either as a precautionary measure or due to minor injuries.

“It was really hard to judge the offense with so many guys out,” acknowledged Sooner head coach Bob Stoops. “Overall, I thought we saw a lot of good things and good effort. The good news is that the guys who did play got a ton of snaps.”

Spring Game Highlights, Features & Photos | 2009 OU Spring Football Central

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford played sparingly in the first quarter before taking the rest of the afternoon off. He directed an 11-play, 71-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 23-yard pass to Adron Tennell.

Bradford finished the day hitting 11-of-13 passes with no interceptions for 97 yards.

“Sam has been exceptional like always and Adron has had a great spring,” Stoops said. “He is really starting to step up and make plays consistently.”

Dominque Franks scored the first of two defensive touchdowns when he returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown.

The offense answered with a 10-yard pass from Landry Jones to Jameel Owens before Jeremy Beal forced a fumble that J.R. Bryant returned 24 yards for a TD.

The final scoring play came on a 15-yard pass from John Nimmo to Carter Whitson.

The defense was led by Mike Balogun and Bryant, both of whom were credited with six tackles. Frank Alexander added 5.5 tackles along with three sacks.

Stoops also cited the play of linebacker Tom Wort, who completed his high school eligibility in the fall before enrolling at OU.

“He's very unusual for a freshman in the way he has come in, picked things up and worked,” Stoops said.

Mossis Madu paced the rushing game with nine carries for 44 yards. Ryan Broyles led the receivers with four grabs for 59 yards.

Oklahoma will conclude its spring practices Tuesday with an afternoon workout.

2009 Spring Game Statistics

SCORING PLAYS
1st - Bradford 23-yard pass to Tennell (Stevens kick good); 11 plays, 71 yards, 3:28
1st - 42-yard interception by Franks (Way kick good)
2nd - Jones 10-yard pass to Owens (Stevens kick good); 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:31
3rd - 24-yard fumble return by Bryant (Way kick good)
4th - Nimmo 15-yard pass to Whitson (Stevens kick good); 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:13

PASSING
Player: Comp-Att-Yds-Int-TD
Bradford: 11-13-97-0-1
Jones: 5-12-73-1-1
Allen: 4-14-58-1-0
Nimmo: 3-3-35-0-1
TEAM: 23-35-263-1-3

RUSHING
Player: Att-Yds
Calhoun: 19-19
Johnson: 14-4
Madu: 9-44
Jones: 5-(-22)
Bradford: 2-(-12)
Allen: 1-(-12)
Nimmo: 1-5
TEAM: 52-27

RECEIVING
Player: Rec-Yds
Broyles: 4-59
Ratterree: 4-11
Owens: 3-41 (TD)
Caleb: 2-43
Whitson: 2-36 (TD)
Mensik: 2-16
Johnson: 2-2
Tennell: 1-23 (TD)
Winchester: 1-9
Calhoun: 1-3
Hanna: 1-0
TEAM: 23-263

SPECIAL TEAMS
Tress Way
Punts (13-489-37.6yrd avg.) - 41, 36, 40, 33, 47, 56, 34, 41, 38, 31, 48, 38, 32
Kickoffs (5-55yrd avg.) - 50, 46, 61, 62, 56
Extra Points - 2-2

Jimmy Stevens
Extra Points - 3-3

DEFENSE
Balogun - 6, 1 TFL
Bryant - 6, 1 PBU, 1 fumble recovery (28 yard TD), 1 TFL
Alexander - 5.5, 3 sacks, 2.5 TFL
Bird - 5, 1 TFL
Ibiloye - 5
Beal - 4.5, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 TFL
B. Jackson - 4, 1 PBU, 1 TFL
T. Lewis - 4
McGee - 4
King - 3.5, 3 TFL
Franks - 2, .5 sack, 2 INTs (28 yards)
R. Lewis - 2
McCoy - 2, .5 sack, 1 TFL
Taylor - 2, 1 sack
Washington - 2
Wort - 2, 1 PBU, 1 TFL
Franklin - 1.5, 1 TFL
Harris - 1, 1 PBU
D. Jackson - 1, 3 PBU
Jones - 1
Proctor - 1
Walker - 1

Varsity O Legends Flag Football Game

FINAL SCORE: Cream 12, Crimson, 6

PASSING:
Cream Team
Charles Thompson: 6-10, 107 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Paul Thompson: 2-6, 13 yards, 1 INT

Crimson Team
Jamelle Holloway: 6-10, 93 yards, 2 INTs
Patrick Fletcher: 1-2, 7 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

SCORING PLAYS:
(Cream) C. Thompson: 2 yrd TD pass to T. Casillas / 25 yrd TD pass to J. Freeman
(Crimson) P. Fletcher: 7 yrd TD pass to D.J. Wolfe

INTERCEPTIONS:
(Cream) J. Freeman (2) / O. Ford
(Crimson) J. Norman

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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