Sooner Report: Back to Business

OU Uses Bye Week to Get Healthier

After an extremely physical and challenging slate of games that included at now No. 10 TCU, the Red River Showdown and home versus now No. 11 Kansas State, the Sooners had an off week this past weekend. The Sooners used the time to get healthy and rested for its final stretch of Big 12 games.

Running back Keith Ford returned to practice on Monday after suffering a leg injury vs. Tennessee. Head coach Bob Stoops also indicated that quarterback Trevor Knight benefitted from some additional rest.

“After being banged up last week against Kansas State (Knight) was able to practice the last couple of days of the week last week and is in good shape,” said Stoops on Monday.

The bye week also served as an opportunity to improve and get better on both sides of the ball, which OU took full advantage of.

“I thought they did a really good job just continuing to push ourselves,” said Stoops. “We went against each other in some instances just trying to get good on good work. The guys really worked in a positive way and I feel like we're in good shape coming into this week.”

A Family Affair

An interesting subplot to Saturday's game against the Cyclones is the family feud that will take place with the Farniok's. Brothers Derek, OU offensive tackle, and Tom, ISU offensive lineman, will share the field for the final time during Saturday's affair.

Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register featured the two brothers in a recent feature and got the thoughts of their mom, Christine Farniok-Jones. The entire story can be read here.

Too bad the brothers are both offensive linemen, meaning they won't get a chance to face off head-to-head.

Zack Sanchez

Sanchez Named Thorpe Award Semifinalist

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced its 15 semifinalists for the 2014 Jim Thorpe Award on Monday, including University of Oklahoma sophomore cornerback Zack Sanchez. The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football.

The Ft. Worth, Texas, native leads the Big 12 with five interceptions and is tied for third in the nation. Sanchez is one of two members of the Big 12 to receive semifinalist recognition, joining TCU's Sam Carter. Sanchez and Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller are the only two sophomores to make the list of 15 semifinalists.

Along with the selection committee for the award, Sanchez also has an admirer of his skillset and play in head coach Bob Stoops.

“Zack has had a great run,” said Stoops. “Anticipation, he's got the quickness and the hands to get his body in position to intercept the balls instead of running into people or almost getting it. So he's got the hands, the anticipation, the quickness and the speed to cut in front of them and make a ton of plays. And he's had a bunch of returns on them, too. Not just picks.”

Sanchez was quick to heap praise on the rest of his defense when asked about why he has so many interceptions. The sophomore gave much of the recognition to the front seven for making his job so easy.

A lot of it is due to the guys up front giving pressure on the quarterback and forcing bad or early throws and me just doing my job in the back end,” said Sanchez. “If the ball is in the air and I am around it, it is my job to come down with it. Most of the credit goes to the guys up front.”

Paul Rhoads Previews OU

Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads discussed playing the Sooners in his weekly press conference. The coach, who is in his fifth season at the helm in Ames, is happy the game is being played at home but still knows the Sooners will be a tough test for the Cyclones.

“You always like playing at home,” said Rhoads. “We have a great gameday atmosphere here. We have an extremely loyal fan base. It's good to be in your own hometown and have our own routine down. It's exciting to be at home.

“It doesn't matter where you play Oklahoma; you're always going to have a tremendous challenge. We're realistic about that approach and excited about the opportunity.”

Rhoads also downplayed the role and impact of having former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Mark Mangino on staff as Iowa State's offensive coordinator, in regards to having extra information on how to prepare for the Sooners.

“It's been so long since Mark was at Oklahoma,” said Rhoads. “I think there's enough separation in that. I don't think there's much benefit to him formerly being on that staff.”

On the Call

Saturday's matchup between Oklahoma and Iowa State is slated to kickoff at 11 a.m. ET and will air on FS1. In the booth for the broadcast will be Craig Bolerjack and Ryan Nece.

Bob Stoops

Stats of the Week

Since the start of the 2000 campaign, OU has never dropped back-to-back regular season games under Bob Stoops. The Sooners are 31-0 in regular season games following a regular season loss over that span.

Oklahoma's 46-game winning streak when leading at halftime is the nation's longest current string. OU is 4-0 when leading after two quarters in 2014. The Sooners haven't trailed ISU at halftime since the Cyclones were up 7-0 in a 17-7 Oklahoma victory in Ames (10/20/07).

Oklahoma has won 36 consecutive games when rushing for 200 or more net yards since 2006. OU is 64-1 (2-0 in 2014, 4-0 vs. ISU) under Stoops when hitting that plateau. The Sooners piled up 405 rush yards (123 by QB Trevor Knight) last season. The Cyclones are 0-16 under Paul Rhoads when permitting 200+ net rushing yards to ranked foes.

Oklahoma is the only current Big 12 team that Iowa State has not defeated since the turn of the millenium. The Cyclones have at least one win over the Big 12's other eight foes since 2000.

OU Uses Bye Week to Get Healthier

A Family Affair

Sanchez Named Thorpe Award Semifinalist

Paul Rhoads Previews OU

On the Call

Stats of the Week

Players Mentioned

Keith Ford

Trevor Knight

Zack Sanchez

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics