Completed Event: Football versus Illinois State on August 30, 2025 , Win , 35, to, 3
Final
Football
35
vs Illinois State
3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Sooner Report - Riley's Offense Underway
March 31, 2015 | Football
New, Fast, Competitive
The above terms have all been used to describe the offense being installed under University of Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley. Touted for his speedy offense at East Carolina University, Riley is wrangling these Sooners in to shape for the upcoming spring game. And these players are feeling it.
“We don't have any games around the corner so we get all the bang-ups out the way right now and hopefully we won't have to deal with that during the fall,” said senior receiver Durron Neal.
But before the fast-paced offense gets up to full speed, Riley has been credited by his receivers for simplifying the offense.
“For me, my freshman year I felt like it was a little bit difficult to get the plays,” said senior Sterling Shepard. “But Coach Riley does a great job of simplifying the plays, so therefore you're not thinking as much. And when you don't think you can just play your game.”
Quarterback Competition
Riley says that he's been impressed by his quartet of quarterbacks – Trevor Knight, Baker Mayfield, Cody Thomas, Justice Hansen – and their ability to quickly retain the new offense.
“There's a lot on them right now,” Riley said. “We've chosen to probably put a little bit too much in right now on purpose to see what we have, but they're handling it well.”
And as the position commands, the QBs have assisted their wide-outs with signals and checks. But, what may be most inspiring is the continual competition amongst the offensive generals.
“They have to work harder and it's just fun seeing them work,” said junior running back, Alex Ross. “You get a taste of competition with every single quarterback throughout the day. It's always good pushing them.”
The quarterbacks have even managed to spark some excitement in the locker room. According to Neal, Mayfield's personality has been energetic on and off-field.
“He has a lot of juice in the morning and he's blasting music and just dancing,” said Neal of his teammate, who he says dances better than half of the team. “With that energy everybody feeds off of that. (Baker) just brings good vibes … he's like an offensive Eric Striker.”
Appropriately, Mayfield's (and apparently Eric Striker's) song of choice is “I Don't Get Tired” by Kevin Gates.
Coaching the Ones We've Got
Injuries have sidelined wide receiver Jordan Smallwood and running back Rodney Anderson, while head coach Bob Stoops announced on Monday that running back Keith Ford had been suspended, meaning that the club's depth at those spots for the spring game will be limited.
Riley doesn't seem to be fazed by those spring setbacks and says the team must keep going despite the shortage.
“I'm just focused on the guys we got,” he said. “One man gone is another man's opportunity. Those other guys are stepping up and we are eager to show them off.”
Riley is still confident in the downfield players in his arsenal. Shepard is leading the pack after a strong first half of the 2014 season where he earned All-Big 12 honors. Neal, also returns, after an admirable showing last season, including a touchdown pass to Knight on a trick play at West Virginia. Standout junior-college transfer, Dede Westbrook, has breathed additional swagger into the receiving corps.
“He's a good player,” Riley started. “He's been coached well and he has a good mind for the game and some nice explosion. He's been a nice addition here.”
Shepard added: ““That's a name that you'll keep hearing because that guy can go. He's every bit of what the media blew him up to be in the beginning.”
The knocks that have come against the entire team have been preparers for the on-field work the offense has put in under Riley's regime.
“I looked at it (as frustrating) at first, but it's all about just putting the time in,” Neal said. “At the next level you're going to have to learn another whole offense so it's just training me personally to stay in my play book and make sure my assignments are right.”
The players' wounds will be the only symbols of the tenacity of Riley's offense as the team keeps quiet about what will be unleashed during the spring game.
“There is a lot that gets me really excited about the future and the potential we have,” Riley said. “There's a really strong edge about the whole team and I think a real hunger with the offensive guys right now.”
Leadership Lessons
While there are undoubtedly plenty of football lessons to be learned while working under head coach Bob Stoops, Riley says he was also impressed with the head coach's leadership in the wake of the off-the-field social injustices recently in the news at OU.
“That was obviously one of my main reasons for coming here was to get the opportunity to learn from a coach like Bob,” Riley concluded. “Seeing how he handled that whole situation with such ease and class and to really stand his ground for what he believed was eye opening for me.”
Mark Your Calendars For April 11
Kickoff for the OU Spring Game presented by U.S. Fleet Tracking is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
New for 2015, fans will be able to purchase tailgating cuisine from some of the area's top food trucks as part of the Great Food Truck Tailgate. In addition to enjoying live music and kids' amusement rides, the OU Spring Sale will feature a number of vendors selling a wide variety of apparel and Sooners' merchandise.
Season ticket holders are eligible to request the same number of seats for the OU Spring Game as they have for regular season games. University of Oklahoma students will also receive free admission to the game by showing a current OU ID at the gate. OU Kids Club members will also receive complimentary admission.
OU Spring Game tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, Feb. 20, beginning at 8 a.m. CT. Fans can purchase $5 seats online or by calling the OU Athletics Ticket Office by calling (405) 325-2424 or toll-free at (800) 456-4668 (online purchases subject to nominal convenience fee at time of purchase. The price will increase to $10 on April 9.
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