Tulsa World: Broyles' talent, style draw comparisons to Rodgers

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Broyles' talent, style draw comparisons to Rodgers

OU's Ryan Broyles, shown running back a punt for a touchdown against Kansas State, has flashed the same versatility Nebraska legend Johnny Rodgers used to win the 1972 Heisman Trophy. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World file

By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 11/1/2008 2:15 AM
Last Modified: 11/1/2008 2:16 AM

NORMAN — Bob Stoops wasn't surprised to learn Ryan Broyles had never heard of Johnny Rodgers.

"History to a lot of these guys is a couple of years," Oklahoma's football coach said of his players. "Some of them hadn't heard of Mark Clayton until you tell them about him."

Clayton completed his All-America career at Oklahoma in 2004. If the current players were not aware of Clayton's exploits as a Sooner wide receiver, it is a safe bet none of them know about Rodgers, who won the 1972 Heisman Trophy in his senior season at Nebraska.

Rodgers' name is back in the news because he is among those being honored this weekend for playing in the 1971 "Game of the Century" between the Sooners and Cornhuskers. The reunion will be capped off by Saturday's 7 p.m. contest between the two tradition-rich programs at Memorial Stadium.

It was in that instant classic 37 years ago that Rodgers introduced himself to the national media and 55 million television viewers. His 72-yard punt return for the game's first touchdown on Owen Field propelled the Huskers to a 35-31 win and still stars in highlight videos of the college game's greatest plays.

Rodgers' return obviously did not make the highlight video Stoops showed his players Monday as a way to educate them on the history of one of the best rivalries in all of sports.

Because Broyles, who is also rather adept at taking kicks to the house, would have noticed the whirling dervish skills of a fellow punt returner. Or, like fellow OU fans, he probably would have pointed out that Rodgers' trip to the end zone may have been aided by a clip or two that escaped officials working the Thanksgiving Day game.

"Naw, I'm not familiar with him," said Broyles, when asked if he knew anything about the player once nicknamed "Johnny the Jet."

It undoubtedly is putting the Sooner Schooner waaaay before the ponies that pull it to compare Broyles to the incomparable Rodgers. After all, Broyles is a redshirt freshman who has played seven games at OU, while Rodgers is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, was voted the Most Valuable Player in the history of the Big Eight Conference and named Nebraska's Player of the Century by Sports Illustrated.

Despite all that, it is not a stretch to say that Broyles has displayed some Rodgers-like skills in his brief stint as a Sooner.

At 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, Broyles is similar is size to the two-time Husker All-American. Broyles plays "slot" receiver, which is the same position manned by Rodgers for the Huskers, who called it "wingback."

As a receiver, punt returner, ball carrier and blocker, Broyles has flashed the same versatility Rodgers used to set an NCAA record with 5,586 all-purpose yards.

Like Rodgers, Broyles has also overcome a serious misstep off the field his freshman year.

Rodgers was in his first year at NU when he and two other men robbed a Lincoln gas station attendant of $91. Stoops suspended Broyles for the 2007 season after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of attempting to steal gas from a Norman station by using a key and an overriding code to activate the pump.

Broyles' fast start in 2008 after sitting out last season is a strong indication that he is going to put his troubles behind him much like Rodgers did when the Huskers gave him a second chance.

Broyles had a coming out party in this season's second game with seven receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown in a win over Cincinnati. Broyles had two more touchdown receptions the next week, including a 77-yarder, in a victory at Washington.

Broyles ranks second in the Big 12 and 12th nationally in punt returns, averaging 14.75 yards per return. He uncorked a 68-yard return last week to score the final TD as No. 4 OU hung 55 points on Kansas State in the first half.

Although he has started only three games, shares both receiver and punt-return duties and missed one contest, Broyles ranks fourth on OU's explosive offense with 555 all-purpose yards.

"I just want to be on the field," Broyles said. "So when the coach calls my number, I come out there prepared to make things happen."

With OU's special teams struggling in several areas, Broyles has been able to provide a huge boost for the punt-return team because, according to Stoops, "Ryan has a great ability to make people miss him and find seams and also has the quickness to outrun some people."

That description sounds a whole lot like what they said back in the day about the player who tore up Owen Field in 1971. He is 57 now, and he will be back in the house tonight to check out this hotshot newcomer who often plays with the same flare.

Neither Ryan Broyles nor anyone else may ever be the next Johnny Rodgers. But don't be surprised if "The Ryan Express" puts on some moves that even impress "Johnny the Jet." By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

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