Tulsa World: OU Notebook

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OU Notebook

By GUERIN EMIG, World sports writer
Published: 9/5/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 9/5/2008 3:16 AM

Keenan the key: The Cincinnati offense that rolled up 557 yards in last week's season-opening victory over Eastern Kentucky has two speeds, according to Oklahoma secondary coach Bobby Jack: "Fast or very, very fast."

That being the case, expect the Sooners to take strong side linebacker Keenan Clayton and turn him into a third safety to help stop the Bearcats' no-huddle spread. That's the position Clayton played before moving to linebacker last season, with the idea that the Sooners wouldn't have to pull him off the field in passing situations like they've had to do with past strong side linebackers.

Clayton will be in coverage a lot more than he was last week, when OU played its base defense against Chattanooga's offense. He made four tackles and was credited with a sack.

"When I first stepped out there I was like, 'Dang, I'm back out here again with 85,000,'" Clayton said. "I had the butterflies. But after the first series I was good to go."

Under pressure: First-year starting cornerbacks Dominique Franks and Brian Jackson must defend Cincinnati wide receiver Dominick Goodman, who is coming off a 10-catch, 144-yard effort last week and is the Bearcats' leading receiver the past two seasons. It will help their cause if the Sooners can pressure quarterback Dustin Grutza like they did Chattanooga's quarterbacks en route to a five-sack opening night.

"That's what helps you play great pass defense, the pressure you're able to create with your front four," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "If you can't get any pressure on the quarterback, it doesn't matter what kind of coverage you're in. None of it is going to be any good."

Tougher task: OU wide receivers Manuel Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias had their way with Chattanooga's secondary last week, combining for 13 catches, 193 yards and two touchdowns. Don't count on it being that easy Saturday against a Cincinnati secondary that helped the Bearcats lead the nation with 42 takeaways a year ago.

"They sit on routes, they have great makeup speed, change of direction. They're nice-sized kids," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "They make you compete. There's not going to be any easy catches. It's going to be a lot of bang-bang plays where even if you're open, are you strong enough to finish the play?"

Caging Byrd: Terrill Byrd is Cincinnati's star defensive tackle returning to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension against E astern Kentucky. It sounds like he'll be a handful for the middle of OU's offensive line.

"He's a very active, very quick, All-American player. He shows it on film," offensive line coach James Patton said. "The kid doesn't get knocked off his feet. He's a leverage player. Wrestles, gets low and plays hard."

Kicking game: Both the Sooners and Bearcats are getting comfortable with new placekickers. OU freshman Jimmy Stevens, yet to attempt a field goal, went 7-of-8 on extra points in last week's blowout of Chattanooga.

"I just didn't finish my kick," he said of his missed extra point. "Other than that, I'm fine."

The same can't be said of Cincinnati's kicking situation. Jake

Rogers missed both his extra point tries in the season opener, prompting coach Brian Kelly to replace him with Brandon Yingling. By GUERIN EMIG, World sports writer

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