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Offensive line shaping up
Players know they must continue to improve.

Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles, right, is driven out of bounds by Idaho State defenders Phillip Arias, left, and Jon Vanderwielen on Saturday. AP
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 9/15/2009  2:24 AM
Last Modified: 9/15/2009  4:08 PM

 NORMAN — Right now, there is but one sure thing about an Oklahoma offensive line in flux.

"Guys that are executing well and taking it down and scoring touchdowns, that's who we'll go with," said position coach James Patton. "If they don't, new guys will get a chance."

That's why seven different lines rotated over the first 12 series of OU's 64-0 wipeout of Idaho State on Saturday night. Expect more of the same when Tulsa visits Owen Field this weekend.

Other than that, it's hard to project what the Sooners will get out of their O-line. It's hard to know what the line proved in Saturday night's cakewalk.

"I thought the effort was there. I thought we executed better," Patton said. "We didn't have as many dumb penalties and mental mistakes."

The same linemen flagged for eight penalties in a season-opening loss to BYU were whistled just once against Idaho State, when tackle Jarvis Jones false-started on a quick snap. That was it. That was encouraging.

But at the same time, Patton said, "We didn't play good enough Saturday night and we'll need to play a lot better this week."

It's not just that Tulsa is tied for the national lead in quarterback sacks with 10, or has made 23 tackles for lost yardage, second nationally to OU. It's the Sooners taking care of their own business.

Like when they had first-and-goal at the Idaho State 2, then second-, third- and fourth-and-goal from the 1 and couldn't score.

"Oklahoma football is known for pounding and running the ball," said freshman center Ben Habern. "We get on the 1-yard line and we can't punch it in against a I-AA team "

Guard Brian Simmons wasn't part of the unit that was turned away by Idaho State. But he felt his share of responsibility when the linemen met at the bench after the series.

"When you're within that 5-yard range of scoring, that's like the standoff for you," he said. "That's when the limelight is actually on you for a change. And for those guys to (stop OU short), it really hurt us."

Their pride stung, the Sooners responded. By the end of the first quarter, the line of Trent Williams, Simmons, Habern, Tyler Evans and Jarvis Jones was in the midst of anchoring three consecutive touchdown drives.

Habern, making his first start at center, and Evans, in his first college action, earned kudos for their overall play Saturday. Patton gave a positive review to Stephen Good, another freshman making his first start, as well.

Jones responded to his move from starting guard to starting tackle. Habern's sore back responded to Saturday's wear and tear. He said he felt fine when he woke up Sunday morning, and after Monday evening's practice.

So there are sources of optimism. The line, after all, had a big hand in the 55 points and 564 yards that OU's offense accounted for Saturday night.

There remains, however, plenty of uncertainty. Idaho State's goal-line stand proved that, while giving the Sooners' line a focal point for its new week.

"We don't know who the starting five is going to be yet, until we've practiced," Patton said. "Whoever has the best week of practice is going to play. Let's find how who wants to go out there first."

From there, we know at least one thing about OU's offensive line.

"The line that's in and scores should stay in," Simmons said. "I think that's how it should be the entire year."



Up next

Vs. Tulsa

2:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: FSOK-27

Radio: KMOD fm97.5, KTBZ am1430

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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9 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Graybeard, Tulsa (9/15/2009 6:20:10 AM)
GO BIG RED!
Report Comment
The ORIGINAL Adman, (9/15/2009 7:43:45 AM)
Yeah, after Saturday, the line is obviously fixed. Forget the fact that in the same edition of the paper as this story, you guys mention how Nebraska will actually be playing a real team, finally, but OU's line is really shaping up after Idaho State. If you guys weren't so funny, it would be sad.
Report Comment
bravo, (9/15/2009 9:29:23 AM)
Yep, nice to know that we have all these kinks ironed out after an entire spring and fall of practices.

We heard over and over that the concerns regarding the offensive line were misplaced and that they were going to be a strength. Now, we are feeling our way through the season with figuring out the right personnel grouping. If they are going against arguably one of the best defensive lines in the country in practice, why was this so hard for us to reconcile...say 3 months ago?
Report Comment
AtlantaSooner, Atlanta (9/15/2009 1:24:22 PM)
The line will be fine. It is young and talented. Give them until after the Texas game before we write them off this year. If we only have one loss following the Texas game, I suspect nobody will be voicing much concern about this line.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (9/15/2009 3:57:38 PM)
BOOMER SOONER!
Report Comment
soonerman37, broken arrow (9/16/2009 2:00:09 AM)
All they need is practice and experience. Once they find the right combo of players, everything will be fine. We will no more this Saturday.
Report Comment
soonerman37, broken arrow (9/16/2009 2:01:15 AM)
"know"
Report Comment
gba, (9/16/2009 5:00:38 AM)
is idaho st. really a good measuring stick for ou's o. line ?
give me a break !!!!
Report Comment
snakeman, tahlequah (9/16/2009 10:06:35 AM)
Game time makes men out of boys. If OU players will quit reading how good they are, and get back to good basic football then they have a chance to be very good. Coaches need time to see who has it and who doesn't game by game. One player may play great, then the next game, stink it up. Play hard every play like its the last time to have a chance to play every down. Don't bet against the Sooners. Go Sooners! Beat Tulsa!
 

 
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