Tulsa World: Cincinnati defense to challenge OU

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Cincinnati defense to challenge OU
Sooners hope their talented receivers can overcome a heralded unit.

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 9/6/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 9/6/2008 2:12 AM

Sooners hope their talented receivers can overcome a heralded unit.

NORMAN — This path looks familiar to Oklahoma players.

The Sooners open the season with an overmatched cupcake, then get a potential powerhouse in Week 2.

Last year, Miami followed North Texas, a game OU won 79-10. This year Cincinnati follows Tennessee-Chattanooga, a game OU won 57-2.

In 2007, the Sooners were focused and determined and put a 51-13 beat-down on a Hurricanes team loaded with NFL-caliber talent.

The Bearcats (1-0) present a similar challenge. Can the No. 4-ranked Sooners (1-0) come out on Saturday — a 2:30 p.m. ABC-televised contest at Owen Field — and do it again?

"For the most part, through the summer and preseason, we felt that (OU players) embraced, for an experienced team, a levelness about them and a work ethic that you appreciate," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "But I would hope our guys are excited about this opportunity."

Cincinnati is a Big East Conference school, more renowned for basketball than football but nonetheless on a historic run under second-year coach Brian Kelly. UC went 10-3 last season, equaling the school record for victories, reaching its first AP Top 25 finish (No. 17) and earning Kelly conference coach of the year accolades.

The Bearcats' success does not seem to be of the one-year-wonder variety.

"Talking to NFL scouts, they're evaluating 10 of their guys — more than we have. They're really good," OU's Bob Stoops said. "I think Brian Kelly and his staff do a fabulous job. I've always watched him, and he's had a lot of success through the years for sure (Kelly is 148-54-2 in 17 seasons, including time at Division II Grand Valley State and Division I-A Central Michigan). Watching their team last year and in their first game this year, they do a great job."

Nowhere is Cincinnati's talent more apparent than on defense. Defensive tackle Terrill Byrd — suspended last week after a summer marijuana citation, but reinstated for this week — was third-team All-American last season.

The Bearcats seem particularly strong at defensive back. Cornerback Mike Mickens (six interceptions in '07) was named All-American by the Football Writers Association of America last season and was a preseason Playboy All-American this year. DeAngelo Smith shared the national lead with eight interceptions last season, then moved from corner to free safety to make room for Ohio State transfer Brandon Underwood.

Where Sooner receivers had no trouble getting open and quarterback Sam Bradford had all the time he needed to pass last week against Tennessee-Chattanooga, it will be a different scene this week.

"I think we're just going to game plan as we would any other week," Bradford said. "But maybe in the back of my head, I've just got to realize, 'He's a little closer; don't force that ball.' "

Bradford last week completed 17-of-22 passes for 183 yards, and backup Joey Halzle went 14-of-16 for 122 yards. But that was against a team — 2-9 the year before — from the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) that allows just 63 scholarships, compared to 85 in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Cincinnati will bring all 85 of its scholarship athletes. Last year, the Bearcats were tied for first nationally with 42 takeaways, including 26 interceptions. By comparison, the Sooners in '07 had 28 takeaways and 19 interceptions.

"I think it's more of a challenge for receivers than the quarterback," Wilson said.

That is where the experience of players like Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson comes in. Last week, Johnson caught a career-best nine passes for 120 yards and a TD. Iglesias caught four for 73 and a score. In their careers, they have played in 78 games, caught 218 passes, gained 2,877 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who caught 11 TD passes last season but dropped two last week, also figures to play a key role in OU's passing success.

"Hey, they're great corners," Bradford said, "but we've got great receivers."

Wilson wants Sooner Nation to know one thing: Cincinnati may not be Miami — a one-time bitter OU rival with a national championship history — but the Bearcats are for real.

"This is not a '(pay)check' game for them," Wilson said. "This is a game where they have a chance to compete and win, and I don't think they have any other intentions. It has our full attention.

"I hope our fans will be excited and come in here and crank it up, make it a great environment for our kids to play in."

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com

3 storylines

A look at three things to watch in today’s Cincinnati-OU contest.

Pass efficiently

Cincinnati has the best secondary the Sooners will see all season. That includes an All-American, a guy who led the nation in interceptions and a transfer from Ohio State. OU’s wide receivers must run sharp routes, create separation and, above all, catch the football. Balls glancing oD anyone’s hands this week will be intercepted —Cincinnati led the nation with 42 takeaways (26 picks) last season. The addition of slot receiver Ryan Broyles could be big.

Play special

Chattanooga last week simply did not have the speed to exploit lanes in the kickoD return game. Cincinnati has the speed to turn busted assignments into touchdowns (although UC’s last TD on a kickoD return was ‘95 at Tulsa). The Sooners must be more disciplined in covering kickoDs. Also, if Juaquin Iglesias and, presumably, Broyles can continue to create field position with big kickoD and punt returns, the Sooner oDense will have shorter fields, which means fewer opportunities for the Bearcats’ opportunistic defense.

Harass Grutza

Cincy QB Dustin Grutza was 21-of-28 for 296 yards with three TDs last week against I-AA Eastern Kentucky. The Bearcats had a committee of runners, but two receivers surpassed 100 yards, a good indicator that as Grutza goes, so goes UC. OU end Auston English had 2½ sacks last week, and tackles Gerald McCoy and DeMarcus Granger were spectacular in blowing up Chattanooga’s playbook. If OU’s D-line can recreate that kind of havoc, OU could win big.

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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Sooner Trav, Tulsa (9/6/2008 9:39:49 AM)

Boomer Sooner!!!

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