OU spring game notebook: Laid back day for Landry
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Sunday, April 15, 2012
4/15/12 at 7:56 AM
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Landry Jones' Red-White Game lasted one series Saturday. The starting quarterback completed 4-of-8 passes for 23 yards to set up Michael Hunnicutt's 25-yard field goal.
"After that first series, I figured it might be coming close to me being done," he said. "Coach (Josh) Heupel came over to me and said, 'Go on the sidelines and kind of coach those guys (OU's three backup quarterbacks) up.' "
Jones' day would have looked more productive had all three starting receivers - Kenny Stills, Jaz Reynolds and Trey Franks - not dropped passes during that opening drive.
As for Allen: Drew Allen didn't have the statistical day Blake Bell had in the race to back up Jones. He went 10-of-18 for 72 yards in eight series.
Like Bell, however, he said he wouldn't let anything that happened on Owen Field on Saturday deter him. Like Bell, he said he refused to get caught up in the race.
"I can't control that," Allen said. "I can only control what I do and how I compete and run the offense."
His biggest jump this spring?
"Taking care of the ball," Allen said. "That's a huge deal for me. I want those coaches to be able to trust me if something does happen. I want them to trust me, not say, 'Oh no. We've gotta go to this guy.' They don't feel that way, I don't think."
Dunk you very much: Wide receiver Jaz Reynolds celebrated his 60-yard touchdown catch by spiking the ball over the goalpost.
"Every time I score in practice, I dunk," he said. "I'm definitely not going to do one in a game. (Michael) Hunnicutt missed the extra point because of the penalty. That's exactly why you don't do it. Coach knows I know not to do that in games."
Kick this around: Hunnicutt missed that 35-yard point after, but did make 3-of-4 field goal attempts. He hit from 40, 28 and 25 yards out and missed a 45-yard try.
Hunnicutt sent the 40-yarder into Saturday's high winds. Punter Tress Way uncorked a 69-yarder against the wind later in the scrimmage.
Starting surprises: While many figured Lane Johnson, last year's right tackle, had left tackle sewn up, OU coaches apparently did not see it that way. Johnson played second-team left tackle Saturday behind soph Tyrus Thompson.
With veterans Casey Walker and Stacy McGee held out due to injuries, freshman Jordan Phillips started at defensive tackle with Jamarkus McFarland. Chuka Ndulue started opposite David King at defensive end, as R.J. Washington sat out with what was termed a minor injury.
Joe Ibiloye got the nod at starting weakside linebacker over Corey Nelson.
"He's been a little inconsistent," defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said of Nelson.
Ward commits: The Sooners picked up their fourth verbal commitment of the recruiting season Saturday when Lawton High defensive end D.J. Ward pledged.
Ward, rated the nation's No. 3 high school defensive end by Rivals recruiting service, had scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Tennessee and Texas A&M among others. There was some thought he would visit Ohio State.
Ward is the second defensive end to commit to OU, joining Matt Dimon of Katy, Texas.
SPRING GAME STATISTICS
Passing
Jones 4-8, 23 yards; Allen 10-18, 72 yards; Bell 14-19, 179 yards, 1 TD; Thompson 7-9, 42 yards, 1 TD.
Rushing
Franks 2-5; Bell 2-(-12); Thompson 3-25; Allen 1-2; Finch 9-40; Danzel Williams 8-24; Clay 10-65; Millard 3-2; Winters 6-12.
Receiving
Metoyer 6-72; Franks 6-54; Danzel Williams 4-39, 1 TD; McNamara 3-23; Winters 3-2; Reynolds 2-64, 1 TD; Stills 2-20; Finch 2-11; Millard 2-4; Carter 2-3; Caudill 1-12; Bradley 1-10; Kitchens 1-2
Tackles
Co. Nelson 8, Wilson 8, Franklin 5, Hurst 5, Jefferson 5, King 5, Paulsen 5, Powell 5, Everett 4, Harris 4, Hayes 4, Peterson 4, Bird 3, Ibiloye 3, Lynn 3, McFarland 3, Favors 3, Gastelum 3, Harris 3, Ch. Nelson 2, Phillips 2, Taylor 2, Wort 2, Anderson 1, Doughtie 1, Hughes 1, Lindley 1, Ndulue 1, Shannon 1, Williams 1, Young 1
Tackles for loss
Wilson 2 (-13), Bird 1 (-3), Carter 1 (-1), Hughes 1 (-2), Hurst 1 (-4), Favors 1 (-1), Ibiloye 1 (-3), Jefferson 1 (-3), King 1 (-2), McFarland 1 (-2), Nelson 1 (-2), Peterson 1 (-3), Phillips 1 (-3)
Sacks
Hurst 1 (-4), Wilson: 1 (-7)
Passes broken up
Hurst 1, Ndulue 1, Paulsen 1
Punting
Way: 8 punts, 48.5 average, long of 69; Seibert: 4 punts, 44.8 average, long of 60
Kicking
Hunnicutt: 3-4 field goals (long of 40), 0-1 extra points; Hosek: 1-1 extra points
