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One dynamic Sooner defense
OU's showing this year ranks among the best under Stoops

OU's defense, anchored by Gerald McCoy (bottom), is among the NCAA's best, drawing comparisons to the 2001 Sooners defense, led by Rocky Calmus (top). Tulsa World file photos; photo illustration
 
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/18/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/18/2009  11:26 AM
NORMAN — Think defense doesn't win championships?

In this week's NCAA statistics, the top four teams are Texas, Florida, Alabama and TCU.

That group represents the four top teams in the Bowl Championship Series standings. That's four squads who have combined to go 40-0 this season, four clubs that have good offenses but dynamite defenses. In this age of high-octane offense, none of these four allow more than 250 yards per game.

College football's ultimate prize in 2009, in all likelihood, will be won by someone with a dominating defense.

Just not Oklahoma's defense.

The Sooners this season are scary good on defense. OU ranks in the NCAA's top 10 in 11 different defensive categories. As many as nine players could expect to garner All-Big 12 accolades at season's end.

The problem, though, has been well-documented: the Sooners have a self-destructing offense that has cost them four losses.

"We're so close to being 10-0 right now," said center Ben Habern. "Just a couple things."

He's right. Injures to Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham have surely hurt. A team that began the season ranked No. 3 has been out of the Top 25 for two weeks. But even without those two, all four defeats — all away from home — were within reach.

  • In a one-point loss to BYU, the defense gave up just 14 points. But the offense couldn't convert on six plays from inside the 3-yard line for what would have been a clinching touchdown.


  • In a one-point loss to Miami, the defense gave up just 14 points. But the offense lost a fumble at its own 6, which Miami immediately turned into a touchdown.


  • In a three-point loss to Texas, the defense gave up just 16 points. But two special-teams fumbles led to Longhorn points, and two fourth-quarter interceptions killed any chance of a rally.


  • In a seven-point loss to Nebraska, the defense gave up just 10 points. But all of those came after offensive turnovers, and three missed field goals and five interceptions kept the Sooners off the scoreboard.


"I think we haven't held up our half of the share," said guard Tyler Evans. "They're holding up about 75 percent of the team and we're holding up 25 percent."

Around these parts, it's unpopular to ask Oklahoma coaches how contemporary teams compare to the hallowed national championship club of 2000, or the revered 2001 team that set virtually every defensive standard under Bob Stoops.

But the 2009 defense has been up to the challenge. Just ask Stoops.

"Oh, it's definitely one of the better ones," Stoops said. "You will never catch me say any particular one was the best one. So they're amongst the one or two better ones we've had — to this point anyway. They need to play well this week (at Texas Tech) and the coming week (against Oklahoma State) to definitively be able to say that, but you sure, to this point, think it's been one of our best ones."

This year's defense has nine returning starters to go with what coaches have said were athletic upgrades at the other two positions.

All-American defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is the lynchpin, commanding two blockers on almost every play and wreaking havoc in the backfield when he doesn't. Defensive end Jeremy Beal ranks among the nation's (and OU's career) leaders in sacks. The linebackers, led by rebuilt senior Ryan Reynolds, is as good a threesome as Stoops has had. And corners Brian Jackson and Dom Franks may be Stoops' best tandem.

"It's great to have a defense like that that we can trust," Habern said, "so when we're in a tight game or something, they're gonna give us a chance."

The same group last year was responsible for giving up the second-most yards per game (367.7) in school history. Some of that was on the break-neck pace of the offense (the '08 team set a school record for total offensive plays, which means more plays for the opponent). And some of that was on two inexperienced linebackers unsure where to go or what to do after Reynolds' midseason injury.

But the foundation for this year's success was laid late in 2008, when OU closed out the season with four consecutive games against offenses that finished the year ranked eighth, third, fifth and fourth nationally (Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Missouri and Florida) in points per game.

"There's a maturing process a year ago," Stoops said. "Like anything, it's just gaining experience as you go, and they got better the more experience they gained.

"It's been a neat group, like I said. It's probably been our best as far as their wanting to practice well and to really know. . . . They're really smart. They see where an offense is trying to create gaps and how we need to cancel them. And some guys, or some teams, they go through practice and they get it but these guys really want to get it, you know? And really pay attention and practice well. They have a really strong pride about them and performing well. They love to perform well in practice."



Comparing ‘01 to ‘09

Oklahoma’s defense this year has been arguably the best in 11 seasons under Bob stoops. With two regular-season contests and a bowl game remaining, OU’s statistical achievements rival those of the 2001 defense. a comparison (national ranking in parentheses):

'2001 2009
Pts/Gm 13.0 (4) 12.1 (5)
Yds/Gm 245.7 (4) 262.4 (6)
Yds/Play 3.7 (3) 3.9 (3)
TDs 18 (3) 14 (6)
First downs 165 (n/a) 149 (7)
Rush/Gm 85.1 (7) 84.0 (5)
Rush Avg 2.3 (t-3) 2.5 (3)
Rush TDs 5 (t-1) 4 (t-3)
Comp Pct 45.2 (4) 53.1 (15)
Pass Effic 86.39 (5) 97.8 (9)
Pass/Gm 160.6 (11) 178.4 (18)
Sacks/Gm 2.4 (n/a) 3.3 (t-2)
TFL/Gm n/a 8.5 (2)


NCAA scoring defense

Team Pts/Gm Record
1. Florida 10.5 10-0
2. Alabama 10.9 10-0
3. Nebraska 11.0 7-3
4. Penn State 11.6 9-2
5. Oklahoma 12.1 6-4


NCAA total defense

Team Yds/Gm Record
1. Texas 232.3 10-0
2. Florida 233.9 10-0
3. Alabama 239.3 10-0
4. TCU 244.9 10-0
5. Ohio State 258.3 9-2
6. Oklahoma 262.4 6-4


John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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33 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/18/2009 7:25:49 AM)
Thanks for the reminder, John. And thanks for the effort, D. Keep it up for 3 more games.
Report Comment
soonerman37, Broken Arrow (11/18/2009 8:02:38 AM)
Oh...what could have been? It's too bad a few injuries ruined what could have been a great year.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 9:01:02 AM)
The "great" defense has 4 losses. The "great" sooner defense has played such powerhouse teams ---- Idaho St. Tulsa Baylor.

Very Very Impressive !!!!!

Sooners
Report Comment
j26, (11/18/2009 9:12:05 AM)
Oh richard noggin, another sad OSU fan commenting on an OU article. Just because you can name 3 teams we have played against that are not very good doesnt make our defense any less good. Every team in the nation plays bad teams. We have also played team like Miami, BYU, Texas, and Nebraka and our defense has looked pretty good. You present a pretty weak argument.
Report Comment
Real, (11/18/2009 9:14:55 AM)
Richard, or should i say Dick? Is your life so sad that all you have to do is read about OU's football team and make negative comments? Get a life man.
Report Comment
The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/18/2009 9:24:39 AM)
That's just Richard, guys. There's one in every bunch.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 9:25:35 AM)
j 26 ---------- Another team I should add is Nebraska. They hung 10 on OU after coming off a home loss to Iowa St. Yes, Iowa St.

You say Miami, Fl. check out their record since they defeated OU.

Real --- What a name !!!!!!
Report Comment
Real, (11/18/2009 9:27:14 AM)
OU's offense gave Nebraska the ball on the one yard line. I wouldn't say they hung 10 on OU. The field goal was off a turnover as well.

Is OSU your team?
Report Comment
Real, (11/18/2009 9:27:51 AM)
OH...I am so slow. I get your name now.
Report Comment
BOBO1, (11/18/2009 9:28:48 AM)
j26....you fail to mention that only Texas is rated in the top 10 with the other Big Bad teams OU has played are in the Top twenty or more. OU, other than Texas, has not played the better teams in the Nation. Tech, while not a top 25 has a very good but inconsistent offense...if they are hot OU's defense will be tested. A&M was no indication of an improving OU offense...just a poorly played A&M game that got out of hand and piled on by OU. But what do I care...what are the Sooners playing for anyway this year....some Toilet bowl in podunk USA?
Report Comment
j26, (11/18/2009 9:33:17 AM)
Richard, did you wach the nebraska game. For one 10 points isnt alot, and 2 OU had 5 turnovers in the game and our defense only gave them 10 points. And the one touchdown that Nebraska had in that game came after Landry threw a pick on our own 25. Our offense lost that game for us, our defense played pretty well.
Report Comment
The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/18/2009 9:43:30 AM)
The one you're thinking of, BOBO, is called the Cotton Bowl and it's played in a little town called Dallas. T-minus 11 days and counting until the end of the OSWho smack. And believe it or not, real, Richard claims to be an OU fan. Hard to believe, huh? It's best to just ignore him and hope he goes away.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 10:01:02 AM)
j 26 You are the prototype OU fan. I am sure you did not attend OU as a student. I guess Iowa St. played a better game. They beat Nebraska.

Assassin Cotton Bowl BFD

Little Game Bob "We play for championship @ OU"
Every game that matters you get your rear handed to you.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 10:04:08 AM)
What about the following teams.

USC
LSU
Boise St.
West Virginia
And we can add another team after OU loses a 2nd tier bowl this year.


Darn I almost forgot --- Texas has owned OU recently.
Report Comment
HunterOU, (11/18/2009 10:30:18 AM)
Richard you know nothing about the game son, NCAA ranked this years' OU schedule the 8th toughest! None of the top 5 are ranked with a tougher schedule. What up?
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 10:30:42 AM)
BOBO1 You really hit home with j26. He cannot handle the truth.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 10:52:27 AM)
HunterOU The Press also had OU ranked as high as 3rd. The 8th touhest schedule????

That was before the season satrted and OU started losing.

Go typical OU fan --- "We had alot of injuries"
Report Comment
Deep In The Heart, (11/18/2009 11:33:56 AM)
I haven't seen any bowl projections with OU going to the Cotton Bowl. Most site predict Ok St or Neb at the Cotton Bowl. Opinions are split between OU at the Sun Bowl and OU at the Alamo Bowl (San Antonio)
Report Comment
j26, (11/18/2009 11:35:53 AM)
Richar Noggin, yes Iowa State Played a better game - offensively. That is why they one. but dont twist the argument, i said OUs defense played well. If you want to compare OUs defense to Iowa States in that game then my argument still stands. Iowa State gave up over 300 yards against Nebraska, OUs only gave up 180. Our offense lost that game for us not our defense.

And yes i graduated from OU in May of 2007.
Report Comment
The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/18/2009 12:14:23 PM)
See what happens when you don't ignore him?
Report Comment
TBone87, (11/18/2009 2:54:10 PM)
Defense does not win championships. Defense prevents losing championships. The offensive line is where championships are won.
Report Comment
hawkdaddy, (11/18/2009 2:57:09 PM)
Imagine how good they would have been with a little productivity on offense.
Report Comment
OUuglystepdaughter, golden (11/18/2009 3:29:16 PM)
Why are you morons from OU whining about OSU. OSU is ranked 12th in the country and OU isn't ranked. You bitch about how 4 injuries have ruined your season. OSU has had five injuries to 5 very key players and yet they continue to win. Sounds as though you are looking past Texas Tech and are more concerned about beating OSU. Guess what Sooners, those fat little girlfriends donw in Lubbock are going to kick your noodling asses.
Report Comment
richard noggin, claremore (11/18/2009 4:14:43 PM)
OU uglystepdaughter --- You are soooooo right. Can I get an AMEN from the Sooner fans.

Go Texas Tech
Report Comment
PhoenixIX, Jenks (11/18/2009 5:42:26 PM)
RE:"We're so close to being 10-0 right now," said center Ben Habern. "Just a couple things."

OU would indeed be 10-0 if not for the FOUR losses.
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