Sam who? History says don't forget the backups
Published: 8/22/2007 2:01 PM
Last Modified: 8/22/2007 2:01 PM
Keith Nichol and Joey Halzle take heart. You're in good company.
When Sam Bradford was named Oklahoma's starting quarterback on Tuesday, Nichol and Halzle joined a long list of Bob Stoops' quarterbacks that lost preseason competitions only to make their way into the starting lineup – and leave a lasting impact.
"You'd better have yourself ready to play. You never know when your turn is going to come," said OU quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel. "When it comes, you better be ready to go out and play at a high level.
"All three of those guys are capable of going out there and playing at a high level, at a championship level."
There is plenty of recent precedent.
In 2001, Jason White lost a preseason battle with Nate Hybl. White went through brick walls of more daunting obstacles – namely matching knee surgeries – to win the 2003 Heisman Trophy and win the 2004 Big 12 title.
In 2002, Hybl lost the preseason race with White. White suffered the first of his knee injuries and Hybl went on to lead the Sooners to a Big 12 crown and a Rose Bowl triumph, where Hybl was named MVP.
In 2005, Rhett Bomar lost the job to Paul Thompson, but was given the starting job two weeks later. Bomar steadied himself and won the 2005 Holiday Bowl, where he was named MVP.
In 2006, Thompson wasn't even on the radar as players reported to camp with Bomar as the starter. But Thompson moved back to QB and led the Sooners to a Big 12 title.
There are other examples, like Cale Gundy for Steve Collins, and Jamelle Holieway for Troy Aikman, who began the season on the bench and went on to achieve glory.
So just because Bradford is the starter today doesn't mean Nichol and Halzle will be slapped in irons and taken to the dungeon. In fact, chances are excellent that one or maybe both will get a shot at some point this season, and, given the talent on OU's offense, they'll likely succeed.
"They still might all play," said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. "Truly, I don't think we'll go into the first game playing more than one, but you don't know 'til you get out there playing.
"I don't think any of us have a crystal ball and know what lies ahead two weeks, five weeks, eight weeks."
– John E. Hoover
Written by
Guerin Emig
Sports Writer
