OU Football Notebook: Big-time drive

BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Monday, November 26, 2012
11/26/12 at 5:20 AM

Landry Jones hasn't had to spend too much of his career directing come-from-behind drives. In the past two weeks, Jones has engineered last-second drives that led to victories.

OU coach Bob Stoops commented on Jones following the 51-48 overtime victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

"What more do you want from the guy? The guy was fabulous out there tonight," Stoops said. "He threw it well, threw bullets everywhere. You're not seeing wobblers and seeing balls that are tough to catch. They're in the right spots and the receivers did an excellent job.

"Protection, for the most part, was really good and they got us a time or two, but when you play another good team that's going to happen. Overall Landry was great."

Jones completed 46-of-71 passes for 500 yards, the third-highest total in OU history.

Icing down the arm: Jones' 71 pass attempts were the most in school history.

"Some games you're going to throw it a little bit more than others," Jones said. "Tonight, I don't know. I didn't really realize at the end of the game how much we really threw it until someone came up and told me. I'm sure I'll have to get some ice on it."

The Sooners had a season-high 103 snaps in regulation and added two more snaps in overtime. The final balance: 73 passes and 30 rushes.

"Our goal isn't to rush it for 3.5 yards per rush, but at the same time we're going to try and do what needs to be done to try and win the football game," OU co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said.

Thinking back to Nebraska: The Sooners came back from an early 17-point deficit against Nebraska to win the Big 12 championship game in 2010. OU had to rally from an early 14-0 hole against the Cowboys.

"Initially the only thing it reminded me of a little bit was our Big 12 championship game with Nebraska," Stoops said. "Some reason we always had a certain calm about it and it was so early in the game and we were down 14 and we're not going to continue to make these mistakes and we were moving the ball.

"I figured everybody stay positive and we'll hang in there and we'll catch 'em."

The only time the Sooners led on Saturday was on the final play of overtime.

King may be out for TCU: David King missed much of the OSU game with a lingering ankle injury, the Oklahoman reported citing a source, who added King's status for Saturday's game at TCU is unclear.

King has been an anchor on the defensive line, playing both defensive end and defensive tackle.

Rooting for orange: Jones said he will be a Texas fan this week. A combination of a Texas road victory over Kansas State and an OU win at TCU would give the Sooners an eighth Big 12 championship.

"Yeah, we need the ball to bounce a little bit in our direction," Jones said. "Yes, we will be rooting for Texas and hoping they pull it out.

"That would be so special to end my career with a ring and get to go play in another BCS game."

Associated Images:

OU quarterback Landry Jones celebrates with fans after the Sooners beat OSU Saturday in Norman. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World