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OU's future in good hands

OU quarterback Landry Jones threw three touchdown passes in the win over Idaho State on Saturday. Jones finished 18-of-32 for 286 yards. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 9/13/2009  2:25 AM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009  6:31 AM

 NORMAN — As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

It's the favorite quote of new Oklahoma starting quarterback Landry Jones, and it comes courtesy of Proverbs 27:17. More about that later.

A season-opening loss to BYU raised alarming questions for OU, including this one: Can the Sooners win games without Sam Bradford?

OU could have put Gerald McCoy in a Wildcat formation and won a glorified scrimmage Saturday night against Idaho State, a lower-division team that has gained only 81 yards in two games.

But, regardless of competition level, it was a priority for OU coaches to get Jones ready to helm the offense for as long as Bradford remains a spectator. The future appears to be in good hands.

Jones hit 18-of-32 passes for 286 yards (253 in the first half) and three touchdowns in his dress rehearsal.

Bob Stoops said Jones did an excellent job, especially considering that the game was played amid showers. Jones said it was the first time he has ever played in the rain. He said it drizzles in his home state of New Mexico. "But nothing like that," he said, referencing Saturday's deluge.

Did Stoops find out anything about Jones that wasn't already known? Only that Jones can manage an entire game. "But I thought he stepped up a week ago, too," Stoops said.

OU fans roared when Jones was introduced as a starter for the first time. What they didn't know was that Jones was being cheered from as far away as Iraq. That's where OU fan Cesar
Urrutia is serving a second tour of duty.

Urrutia's brother-in-law, Kyle Henderson, runs a Rivals.com Web site in New Mexico. Henderson called Jones' father and asked if the Sooner QB could send something to perhaps boost the soldier's spirits. Jones autographed an OU flag and signed Proverbs 27:17. The package arrived last weekend.

"I wish him well and want to thank him personally for the gesture," Urrutia said in an e-mail to the Tulsa World. "It really means a lot to me, especially in a time like this."

Jones apparently scribbles Proverbs 27:17 on just about everything he signs. And, when you are the pride of an entire town (Artesia, N.M.), you sign a lot of things.

"After the Bulldogs won the state title in his last football game in the Bulldog orange, we were all celebrating down on the field and he stayed out there for every little boy who idolized him or grandma that wanted a picture," said Cody Phillips, whose nephew used to catch passes from Jones.

Jones was asked what Proverbs 27:17 means to him and said, "It's just kind of one of those things that my dad has always taught to me — like my faith in God and just being careful who I hang out with because you want to have your best friends be Godly people."

Speaking of being judged by the company you keep, Wilson said "you are only as good as the players around you" when asked if OU can beat big-time opponents with Jones at quarterback.

"He's a good player," Wilson said. "Tonight's a good start."

Jones apparently has a good sense of where his bread is buttered, too. Back in high school, he used to take his offensive linemen to lunch, according to Artesia football coach Cooper Henderson. What high school quarterback does that?

"Periodically, he did it," Cooper Henderson said. "That was a pretty smart thing."

Don't go bonkers and put Jones on a pedestal after one college start against an outclassed opponent.

But Cooper Henderson got a hint Jones was special the first time the kid took a snap as a sophomore.

Actually, Jones didn't take the snap. A shotgun snap soared over Jones' head. He backtracked 10 yards to retrieve the ball, spotted an open receiver and hurled a touchdown pass. A star was born, and recruiters showed up in droves the next season.

Cooper Henderson said Jones was always poised in high school and routinely did things to make a positive play.

"He'll find a way to turn this into a good situation," the coach said in a telephone interview. "We know he hopes, and we do too, that Bradford heals up real fast and gets going, but this is a great opportunity for him."
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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6 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Few Clothes, America (9/14/2009 9:46:40 AM)
Ton Landry used to run the scores up by not substituting. I have absolutely no respect for him. I mean, 38-3 over the St. Louis Cardinals!
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a disciple, Glenpool (9/13/2009 6:47:59 AM)
Landry Jones seems to have more than a little wisdom. Hopefully, he will go far in life. By the way, was he named after former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry?
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a disciple, Glenpool (9/13/2009 9:46:43 PM)
Thanks for the response, Jimmie!
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Tulsa World Sports Writer Jimmie Tramel, Catoosa (9/13/2009 9:34:52 AM)
I wish I had asked him if he was named after Tom Landry. Incidentally, a caller to stoops' radio show asked stoops if Landry Jones was named after Tom Landry and Jerry Jones. Stoops sort of set the caller straight that the Jones part of Landry's name wasn't really optional since it also happened to be his family name.
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BGP, Artesia (9/13/2009 11:10:18 PM)
Yes, Landry was named after Tom Landry. His Dad is a die hard Dallas Cowboy fan!
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BGP, Artesia (9/13/2009 11:15:21 PM)
Landry also wore # 12 in High School, I'm sure from Roger Staubach. I have not seen a close up of Landry's wrist but he had an orange bracelet on previously, for his High School color in Artesia,NM.
 

 
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