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OU Notebook
 
By GUERIN EMIG, World sports writer
Published: 11/3/2008  2:13 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2008  3:52 AM

 Big play defense: Say what you want about all of the yardage Oklahoma's defense has given up since Big 12 Conference play has started. At least the Sooners are making big plays to help atone for the ones they are giving up.

OU forced four Nebraska turnovers Saturday night, one week after forcing five at Kansas State. The Sooners have scored 47 points off those turnovers, a decent percentage of their 120 overall in the last two weeks.

OU is now fifth in turnover margin, at plus-12, trailing only Florida, Minnesota, TCU and Wake Forest.

The last time the Sooners failed to force a turnover is also the last time they lost, 45-35 to Texas Oct. 11.

Draw it up: OU may have stumbled onto its latest run-game weapon — quarterback Sam Bradford.

The Sooners spread the field with five wide receivers, then ran Bradford on a quarterback draw twice during Saturday's first half. The field opened for Bradford on the first call, and he picked up 13 yards on second-and-10 before sliding to avoid the hit of safety Larry Asante.

"When people are getting into a certain defense and aren't respecting it, pull it down and run and hopefully pick up a first down," OU coach Bob Stoops said.

OU tried another draw in the second quarter on third-and-2 from the Nebraska 4, but only picked up a yard.

Factoring in lost yardage on sacks, Bradford has now rushed for 1 yard this season.

Bring the pain: There was no update on defensive end Auston English, who sprained his knee Saturday night, Sunday. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the Sooners hope to have offensive starters Manuel Johnson and Brody Eldridge back for this weekend's game at Texas A&M, after both played sparingly in Saturday's first quarter.

Wilson indicated Johnson fell on his injured elbow after running a reverse for 2 yards during OU's first series. Eldridge was inadvertently kicked on his already-injured ankle. Coaches had the luxury of playing it safe with both players, given the Sooners' 35-0 first-quarter lead.

Sad week: Linebacker Travis Lewis led OU with nine tackles Saturday. It was a feat for him to even be on the field, given death of his infant daughter last Monday.

"All family situations like that are just emotional, hard to deal with," Stoops said. "Travis had a very difficult week. But he just felt that he needed to play."
By GUERIN EMIG, World sports writer

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lovethemsooners, Fayetteville (11/3/2008 7:21:54 AM)
Prayers out for Travis and his family.
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shytnik, Colorado Springs (11/3/2008 10:52:44 AM)
I too send my thoughts and prayers out. That is always such an emotional and painful thing to deal with and there are no answers to the nagging question of why. I hope Mr. Lewis you and mom can find peace from this.
 

 
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