Stoops Meets Media During Bye Week

NORMAN, Okla. -- View video and quotes from Coach Stoops' weekly press conference. Coming off a season-opening 47-14 win over Tulsa, the Sooners remained No. 1 in the polls and have a bye this week before heading to Florida State on Sept. 17 for a showdown with the Seminoles.

Head Coach Bob Stoops

Opening statement:
"I wanted to start today by giving our condolences to the Selmon family. All of us here at the university and associated with it are sadden by the death of Lee Roy, and we want them to know that our prayers continue to be with him at this very difficult time. Lee Roy was, just as everyone has said, an amazing person and they have an absolutely amazing family--one to emulate. I know all of the Selmon brothers are guys that I have put in front of our football team whenever I have had the opportunity because what you want to model and emulate is their character off the field as well as the way that they played on the field. We just want them to know that we are continuing to think about them.

"Going back through last week's Tulsa game, I thought it was very pleasing in many aspects to start off game one and play the way we did. We had zero penalties on offense. That's pretty good when you have 100 snaps and you don't have an offensive penalty. It shows a lot of discipline and character to play that way. I was really pleased the way we ran the ball, though I still see improvement there. Ryan Broyles and Landry Jones throwing the football were just excellent, but still can improve. Ben Habern played great up front and was given a game ball. Dominique Whaley had a great night rushing the football. He [Whaley] and Brennan Clay did a gob job."

On Saturday night's defense:
"Outside of our one busted call on defense, we played well. The defensive back read the signal wrong and we left a guy wide open. Then we missed a wheel route up the boundary, which is pretty elementary, so we gave up a few big plays and we feel we are better than that. Outside of that, I thought the discipline was good. Not having Travis Lewis in there, I thought Tom Wort did a great job. Making the adjustment and all of that was really great for the first day out there."

On the kicking game:
"I was pleased with our overall kicking game. I thought the guys all hit the ball well, kickers and punters. I thought Tress Way had a really good day. He had two occasions where there were starting out on the eight-yard line and a couple inside the 10-yard line. We had several three-and-outs and our coverage was good on kicks. When we are able to back each other up like that it really works out."

On the off week:
"We will practice Monday through Thursday this week just like we would a normal week, and hopefully get some of that extra work in before we go down to Florida. We've got a lot to work on and I feel that it will be nice to have the extra time."

On Frank Alexander:
"Frank Alexander is playing great. You know he is a guy that is a senior now with maturity and experience. He has had a good camp and he is a big, strong guy. He started off really well the other night. He played hard and played well. He has a chance to have a big year."

On Landry Jones' overall play:
"He completed 75 percent of his plays, and people look at him and say you know he didn't play so well but he played very well. I guess we are all so used to seeing Heisman Trophy like performances from people like Sam Bradford that we have gotten awfully picky here, but Landry doesn't mind it. It's not uncommon sometimes for him to be off a little during the first game. I think some of that is just getting back out there and playing in live competition. I still think he had an excellent night and avoided anything close to an interception."

On Florida State:
"You look at how well they played toward the end of their season last year. They played very well as the season went on. They became more comfortable more and more with their offense and defense. They capped it off with a great win against the SEC east champion, South Carolina. We are very aware of the different team they are than they were a year ago, and our players are excited about the challenge."

On realignment talk:
"I am leaving that up to Joe Castiglione and David Boren. Whatever conference they choose, I am in. I don't think it's necessary to keep the OU/Texas game if we do move out of a conference with Texas. I know no one wants to hear that, but things change. If it changes, you've got to change with it. I love the game, but if it doesn't work out we will find other places to play and get excited about. All the sudden we weren't playing Nebraska anymore, but we are still here. Life goes on. You find other rivalries and other places to go and enjoy the game and enjoy the experience. Whatever happens we will adjust to it."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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