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Receiver finally hits his stride

Oklahoma's Dejuan Miller runs under pressure from Joshua Moore of Kansas State during their football Game Oct. 31, 2009. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World
 
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 11/3/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2009  4:13 AM

NORMAN — It was Dominique Franks who raised the bar for Oklahoma teammate Dejuan Miller back on Aug. 28.

Franks, an All-Big 12 cornerback, spent preseason camp with his hands full guarding Miller, a sophomore wide receiver. Afterward, Franks said: "He reminds me a lot of Larry Fitzgerald, the way he goes up and competes for the ball. He makes all the great catches, no matter where the quarterback throws it... He's a special player."

Two months later, Miller has finally cleared the bar.

After reaching career highs with nine catches for 94 yards and scoring his first college touchdown Saturday night against Kansas State, Miller said: "I really do feel like this was my breakout game, my coming-out party. I've been waiting for this moment for a while, to just ball out and show what I can do."

The question on the minds of impatient OU fans, given how inconsistent wide receiver play has contributed to the Sooners' 5-3 record: What took so long?

Part of the answer, if we can read anything into coaches' comments, lies in Miller's own inconsistency.

As far back as Aug. 10, Bob Stoops called Miller "a big, strong guy that's getting better and better." The week of OU's season opener, Stoops said: "I noticed Dejuan Miller in the last week or so making more and more plays."

But then coming out of the Oct. 3 loss at Miami, when Miller didn't register a stat, Stoops was asked what was keeping Miller and fellow sophomore Jameel Owens off the field. "Just their overall play and their work on the field. Overall it hasn't been what it needs to be."

Asked about Miller specifically, wide receivers coach Jay Norvell said: "He's got to play better. If a guy's not starting, he's got to play better. It's really that simple."

If this was a challenge, Miller has responded. He caught five balls for 67 yards in OU's win over Baylor. He would have been in the thick of the Texas game, but Ryan Broyles had returned from his shoulder injury and forced Miller out of the rotation.

By the 16-13 loss to the 'Horns, OU coaches realized it was time to force him back in.

"Dejuan's got to play more," Norvell said. "I think those younger kids will get their opportunities as we go down the stretch, especially Dejuan."

Sure enough, when OU took the field at Kansas Oct. 24, Miller was there with Broyles, having moved outside to complement Broyles' slot-position playmaking. Landry Jones completed passes to him on OU's first two plays.

Saturday night against Kansas State, Jones went to him throughout, including three times to convert third downs.

"I've always had confidence in him," Jones said of Miller. "I've seen what he does in practice and what he's done since spring. He's a hard-working kid. He's going to make every play for you."

Confidence now flows from the source as well, with Saturday's breakout game in the book.

"I know I'm talented. I don't want to sound too cocky, but that's the confidence I have in myself," Miller said. "I know I can play at a high level."

Now it's a matter of staying there.

"He's playing well, and he was better today than last week," Wilson said Saturday night. "It would have been nice, maybe, to have gotten that a little sooner. But for whatever reason It is where it is now, and he's moving in a great way. We've got to keep building on it."

Said Miller: "I think I really showed OU and everybody that I'm here. I'm ready to ball, ready to play."


Up next

At Nebraska

7 p.m. Saturday

TV: KTUL-8

Radio: KMOD fm97.5, KTBZ 1430am


Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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13 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Report Comment
scottybegood, (11/3/2009 5:03:44 AM)
"He reminds me of larry Fitzgereld" PLEASE don't make me laugh.Write about the band or cheerleaders.
Report Comment
5055567475852000, Euless (11/3/2009 6:01:46 AM)
"It would have been nice, maybe, to have gotten that a little sooner" You can say that again...maybe the loss to Texas, isn't.
Report Comment
AtlantaSooner, Atlanta (11/3/2009 7:43:06 AM)
I would think somebody who practices with Miller every day would know more be more of an authority than somebody whose contribution to the program is badmouthing them on these boards.
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks (11/3/2009 7:58:35 AM)
wow Fitzgerald looks like we have a great Wr on our hands cant wait for him to get more experince under his belt. Maybe he can be the number 2 receiver behind broyles and we can start kicking but a lil harder
Report Comment
justanotherokie, (11/3/2009 10:06:54 AM)
The best part of College Football is watching younger players develop and improve.
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks (11/3/2009 11:24:55 AM)
you got that right Justanotherokie. i love college football more than pro
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/3/2009 11:31:26 AM)
That wasn't the writers' opinion, scotty, that was a quote from Franks. ???? Get back on the Ritalin.

Kinda makes you wonder about the coaches' ability to judge the talent they have. "If a guy's not starting, he's got to play better." How do you play better from the sideline? Maybe he was in someone's doghouse for some reason, otherwise why not at least mix him in during the Texas game after the performance he had against Baylor? It's not like we've got All-American receivers running around all over the place like last year. I'm not usually too critical of (the OU staff's) coaching decisions because I'm certainly no expert, but after watching the play calling (specifically in the Miami game) and Bob's decision to stay no-huddle during the BYU game after Landry took over (after it was clear there was confusion), it makes me wonder a little if stubbornness is getting in the way of common sense sometimes. Just a thought.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/3/2009 1:27:07 PM)
He's a sophomore, same as Broyles (who did just fine as a FRESHMAN)and apparently he was doing okay in practice, from what Franks said.
Report Comment
DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks (11/3/2009 2:20:35 PM)
he is a great reciver he just needs more playing time and alot less bench time he will be a great reciver when his career at OU is over
Report Comment
OU@BVAR, Bella Vista (11/3/2009 8:30:43 PM)
WOW I sure am impressed with all you experenced sideline coaches. I have really learned a lot since I started listening to you'll. I would think Bob should pay attention to your commemts. Then he could win all his games.
Go you "poor lost" Sooners.
Report Comment
scottybegood, (11/3/2009 10:07:54 PM)
U HOMERS "MAKE THE WHOLE COUNTY LAUGH" IE...
NO PRO TEAMS. OH FORGOT ABOUT THE OK BLUNDER IN OKC. OH,AND ALSO THE USFL OUTLAWS! AND WE WILL NOT FORGET THE D-2 ARENA FOOTBALL. MAYBE SOME COW POKES WILL LOOK-UP THE MEANING OF SOONERS. THEY RIPED-OFF THE TRUE (NATIVE AMERICANS).
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (11/4/2009 9:25:45 AM)
We ALL "riped" off the Native Americans, scottybenohistorymajor. Still embarrassed to admit where you're from and who your team is?

I'm glad you're impressed with our opinions BVAR. I wish I could say the same for your spelling ability.
Report Comment
Frank Opinion, Tulsa (11/4/2009 10:11:00 AM)
Hey scottybedumb...take the caps off, it makes you look like a fool...oh..forgot, you are! And for the record...there were no SOONERS, until the Gov't ripped off the Native Americans...Get it straight, or get out...just my opinion...BOOMER!
 

 
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