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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Report: Big 12 Play Begins
September 16, 2014 | Football
Coaches Would Send Sons to Play for Stoops
Who's the head FBS coach fellow coaches would want their son to play for if they were no longer coaching themselves? That would be our very own Bob Stoops.
Brett McMurphy of ESPN recently conducted the poll of FBS coaches, and Stoops and Georgia's Mark Richt tied for first with 8 percent of the vote. Among coaches from the “Power 5” schools, Stoops led the way with 14 percent of the vote, followed by Richt and Kansas State's Bill Snyder at 8 percent.
Stoops said he was not aware of the poll until he was made aware of it after the Tennessee game.
“It caught me off guard,” Stoops shared. “I appreciate it and I am flattered because I have such respect for the coaching fraternity and the guys I work with around the country. I think I said that there are more than 50 I would like my sons to play for based on their character and the way they treat young men. We are in a great profession and there are a lot of great character coaches around the country. I appreciated it. That was nice."
Here's the entire story: http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/print?id=98683
Sooners Have Stout Secondary
OU's entire defense has been dominant through the first three games of 2014, holding all of its foes to under 17 points. The Sooners' cornerbacks have been a large part of this success.
During OU's seven-game winning streak that stretches back to last season, the Sooners have forced 13 interceptions. Five of those belong to redshirt sophomore cornerback Zack Sanchez, who has an interception in four straight games, including an impressive grab in the end zone against Tennessee.
“He's a great player,” head coach Bob Stoops said of Sanchez. “He had an excellent year a year ago and all summer and then through all three of these games he's been great.”
The entire defense was awarded a game ball for the Tennessee contest because the coaches could not pick just one player, Stoops said. But if they had to choose, it may have been senior cornerback Julian Wilson, who returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.
“He had a great, great game in how he defended and tackled and then he had the big interception. He just really played great,” Stoops explained.
This weekend, the Sooner secondary will be tested as it faces a potent West Virginia passing game that has averaged 410.3 yards per game this season behind quarterback Clint Trickett, who was named the Davey O'Brien Co-Quarterback of the Week.
West Virginia has some talented wide receivers who will challenge the Sooners, senior cornerback Julian Wilson said.
“They have some great skill guys,” Wilson stated. “Kevin White is a really good wide receiver who runs good routes. We need to watch him on the outside. Mario Alford is quick off the ball and has been making plays. Really it is on us and the secondary to cover.”
One key in facing the up-tempo offense of the Mountaineers will be knowing assignments, according to Wilson.
“You really just need to think quickly and know your assignments well,” Wilson said. “I think our scout team does a good job of preparing us for things like that because our offense runs something similar to it so they are used to it. Really you just need to know your assignment because you don't have that long to think and to react to what you see.”
Samaje “The Tank” Perine
Just three games into his collegiate career, it seems Samaje Perine has already received a nickname from teammates and coaches. Senior offensive lineman Tyler Evans dubbed the freshman running back “The Tank” by during Monday's offensive media session.
“We call Samaje “The Tank” because he's a big guy who can run you over,” said Evans.
The 5'11”, 243 running back made an impression on coaches and teammates the second he stepped on campus. When asked what his first impression of Perine in the recruiting process was, this is the response given by head coach Bob Stoops.
“Just how strong he is. I knew he was, but he sure looked it, too. When you watch him on tape you see how powerful he is. Particularly in high school.”
Perine himself acknowledged his physical style of play and how he uses his body as a runner.
“I look for contact for the most part,” said Perine. “I'm not the one that will try to juke you. I will if I have to but I don't look to do that. I would rather just go over someone.”
Holgorsen Praises OU Defense, Discusses Non-Conference Scheduling
In his weekly Big 12 Conference media call West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen mentioned the consistency of the Oklahoma defense and added that his team is more prepared to compete this season than it was going into last year's meeting.
“Last year in Norman they played well defensively,” said Holgorsen. “They played well all year defensively and they got most everybody back. So, well-coached, great athletes and it will be a challenge and I think that we're in a much better position than we were last year to be able to compete.”
The Mountaineers' coach went on to talk about both West Virginia's and Oklahoma's challenging non-conference slate to open the 2014 season and both programs' willingness to schedule quality opponents.
“We consider our non-conference schedule as good as anyone in the country,” said Holgorsen. “Me and coach (Bob) Stoops have talked about this a lot and they do a good job with their non-conference schedule as well. We're going to continue to schedule 'Power Five' conference games in non-conference.”
West Virginia has already faced two “Power Five” teams in Alabama and Maryland.
“We have faced two good-quality teams and obviously have another one coming with Oklahoma coming this week.”
Electric Environment Expected
Saturday's Big 12 opener in Morgantown will be the Sooners' first game outside the state of Oklahoma for the 2014 season. The environment is likely to be one of the most hostile the Sooners will play in during the season.
“It's a hostile environment,” said OU quarterback Trevor Knight. “Going into a place like Morgantown, their fans are going to be rocking. It's a true home-field advantage just like we had this Saturday against Tennessee. Your fans will be rocking, but I think it's important to use some of their crowd's energy to get you going a little bit – to get that momentum going and really just use it.”
West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen is obviously excited at the prospect of hosting Oklahoma in front of a sold-out crowd in primetime.
“National TV game, two quality opponents – it'll be as good as anywhere,” said Holgorsen. “We've already sold out pretty much all of our student section – probably already had about 13,000 there – so there will be plenty of people fired up about the game and I think everybody is going to be looking forward to it.”
OU senior cornerback Julian Wilson took a different approach to the fans and road environment.
“What happens on the field is what happens on the field,” said Wilson. “If you get caught up in distractions up in the stands, your head is not where it needs to be. We need to stay tuned into the game and zoning it out on the sidelines. It is kind of hard, but you just need to listen to your coaches and make sure your head doesn't get caught up in it.”
More National Attention For OU
Saturday's contest at West Virginia will be broadcast nationally by FOX Sports. Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter) are scheduled to call the action. Make sure to tune into the FOX College Football pregame show to see a feature on members of the OU Football squad who traveled to Haiti in May. Individuals interviewed for the piece include Coach Stoops, Trevor Knight, Sterling Shepard, Julian Wilson and Zack Sanchez.
Touchdown Radio will broadcast the game to a national radio audience. Taylor Zarzour calls the action, while 1992 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta provides commentary.
On Monday, a crew from CBS was in Norman shooting interviews for a feature on the Knight family, including both Trevor and Connor, as well as their parents. An air date has yet to be set for that feature.
On Tuesday, a crew from ESPN's College GameDay was on the OU campus working on a feature on linebacker Eric Striker that will air Saturday morning.
Junior wide receiver Sterling Shepard was one of 12 players added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List Tuesday. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the most outstanding receiver in college football.
Last but not least, the University of Oklahoma was named one of the 25 most beautiful college campuses in America this week. Here is the full list: http://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-25-most-beautiful-college-campuses-in-america
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