Sooners Talk Texas Tech Tuesday

NORMAN, Okla. -- Coach Stoops and Oklahoma players met with the media Tuesday in advance of this week's game against Texas Tech. The Sooners and Red Raiders kick off at 7 p.m. (CT) Saturday on ABC.

For complete coverage throughout the week, details on attending the game and broadcast options for following from around the world, please visit Sooner Gameday Central.

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening comments:
"Recapping last week's game with Kansas, I was really excited overall the way our team performed in the second half. I thought offensively we played really well all day. When you have 600 or something yards as an offense and all. The part that allowed Kansas to hang around was that we lost the turnover battle 3-0. We had the interception that we had taken away because we lined up offside and the forced fumble we weren't able to recover. When you have a couple of turnovers it changes things a little bit, but again we really moved the football well most of the day.

"Defensively we hold them to six yards in the second half. In the first half we had a couple of big plays on fourth-and-one. They mishandled a snap and it sucks everybody inside thinking he is just trying to go straight ahead with the ball, but (Jordan) Webb shuffles the ball outside and they make a big play. Other than that we settled down and really played well. Some guys that were noted as having really great games were Travis Lewis and Corey Nelson.

"Ryan Broyles with a record-setting performance 217 receiving yards, 301 all-purpose yards on the night with 84 punt return yards, set the national record with 326 career receptions and sets a Big 12 touchdown record with 44 touchdown receptions. He broke both of those records on the one long ball down our sideline for the touchdown so we are really proud of Ryan. We recognize what an exceptional player he continues to be and we are proud of the way he continues to play. Other guys on offense that played well were Donald Stephenson and Lane Johnson. Another game again with zero sacks. The guys up front did well, especially Gabe Ikard and Adam Shead.

"So, it was another win and I thought the kicking game looked good as well. Patrick O'Hara hit the ball well and Michael Hunnicutt was again perfect on the night. Ryan Broyles with 84 punt return yards and our cover units were really good. Trey Millard is one of our best special team players and he had a really special night.

"We have Texas Tech coming in this weekend. Offensively they've had more snaps than anybody in the country. They are really playing at a fast pace. Their quarterback is completing about 70 percent of his balls and they are really spreading the ball around among their receivers. They always have the opportunity to run the football well. Defensively they've been solid. They've been in some tough games these past few weeks with some tough fourth quarters with a chance to win and they've come out on the short end of it. We had a good day yesterday and we are looking forward to the challenge."

On breakdowns in the red zone:
"A couple of times we missed some blocking assignments. One series it was pretty obvious we hit Dominique Whaley in the chest and he drops it and another time we overthrow Ryan who is open in the end zone. On the third series one of our players tripped over the tight end. It's not always going to work out every time, but we were seven-of-seven in scoring. Michael (Hunnicutt) made all of his field goals. It's something we continue to work on, but we are down there in the red zone a lot and we have got to keep scoring."

On the changes with the offensive line:
"They are playing really well. You have to really admire Gabe Ikard and what he is doing down there at center. He is playing at a winning level, and he is being a leader and vocal down there. We knew Donald (Stephenson) was going to do really well and then Lane Johnson coming along like we hoped that he would has really helped out. They continue to play well, and it was good to see a young guy like Adam Shead step up and really have a good game also. Ben Habern is still a couple of weeks away from playing."

On how Texas Tech's third-down conversion rate:
"It is always a big factor in games, third-down conversions and Texas Tech has been very efficient with this. They have done a great job executing on these situations, either getting people open or running the ball. It starts with good discipline. I think we as a defense need to be in position to make plays and be physical in order to stop them on defense. Our defense needs to focus on tackling, covering, breaking passes and making plays when you can."

On the kick coverage being better this week:
"We score a lot, so we cover more kicks than most teams. It's a big part of the game. I think the other day it hurts when your defense scores and then you're down there covering a kick. Our guy doesn't kick them out the end zone a lot. We score a lot, so there is a lot of opportunity there for other teams to score or return. The more you are doing it the more likely you are able to get some of those things to happen."

Sophomore DB Gabe Lynn

On defensive adjustments made during the Kansas game:
"The coaches were just telling us we had to be more physical and tackle better. We were there on all the plays, but we were just missing tackles. It was just the little things that we had to clean up and we came out playing more physical in the second half."

On thoughts of Texas Tech's offense:
"They're really good overall, good quarterback and good receivers. They throw the ball well, so our secondary is going to have to blow up and defensive line going to have to rush. We'll just have to come altogether to stop their offense."

On handling Texas Tech's offensive tempo:
"They're actually faster I think, running something like 96 plays a game. We definitely have to been in shape in order to keep up with them."

On his role and versatility within the defense:
"Coming into camp, I was told to learn as much as I possibly can. I'm going to keep doing that and hopefully I'll keep getting better so I can get out there on the field more."

Senior TE Trent Ratterree

On his year so far:
"This is my last season and in my mind, I want to end it on a good note and we have a great team and a great opportunity to do so. I've had some catches and blocks, so it has been fun so far. "

On the other talented players in his position:
"James Hanna, he is one of the best. He is one of the most athletic I've seen…ever. (Austin) Haywood, he is really aggressive and physical and strong. He plays really hard too. Then Trey Millard, he works in there too and he is an absolute freak. He is fast, he is big, he is quick, he can carry the ball, he can catch the ball, he can block."

On blocking in the red zone and how the team is running the ball better:
"That is one of the things we focused on in spring ball and during camp. We have showed improvements, but there are places that we can definitely get better; but we have come a long way from last year."

On Texas Tech:
"They are a good team. They do what they have done for a long time, but they are running the ball more. Each week we have to take everyone seriously on our schedule because we play in a tough conference."

On Ryan Broyles and breaking the record:
"I'm so proud of Ryan. I met Ryan my freshman year of high school and just from then to now, he has come a long way. I told him in the locker room after the game that I was so proud of him and that I think he has come a long way. It couldn't have happened to a better guy. The first time I saw him on scout team my red shirt year, I knew he was going to do it; they just couldn't touch him on scout team. After that, I just thought this guy was going to be amazing, and he truly is."

On being a walk-on like Dominique Whaley and those challenges:
"The tough thing for walk-ons is really what is difficult for everybody. Just coming in from high school to college and the transitions from the workouts you did in high school to the workouts you do in college, the practices, and basically just how physical it is. For me personally, that was the most difficult part. Kevin Wilson (former OU offensive coordinator) told me that I would be treated the same, and I truly was. The tough part for me was that transitioning."

R-Freshman OL Adam Shead

On the team's performance against Kansas:
"I thought we played pretty good. We kind of got off to a slow start, so it kind of seems bad, but then you look at the stats from the game. We ran the ball pretty good, 200-plus yards and we passed 300 plus. So, that's always a good thing. The defense in the second half, held them to six yards total. That was pretty good too."

On red zone issues during the Kansas game:
"I think it was just a few miscommunications. Once we get everything clear, we'll be fine. Those things can get in your head a little bit when we get down in the red zone, but the hard part is over. All we have to focus on doing is punching it in for the score at that point."

On taking advantage of the opportunity by getting more playing time:
"When I got the news that I would be playing more, or starting this past game, I kind of relaxed and took a deep breath because what I tend to do is over think things and not perform the way I want to. You know that you have to step up, but you just have to remember to relax and have fun out there. I mean that's what we're here to do."

On thoughts of Texas Tech's performance thus far this season:
"They're a good team. They could easily be undefeated. Those last two losses to Kansas State and Baylor were pretty close games right there. They're a really good ball club with speed."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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