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Sooners need a reminder that season's not over yet

OU's QB Sam Bradford (14) is hurt by Texas' Aaron Williams (4). Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

 
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
Published: 11/14/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 11/14/2009  6:43 AM
Go to Dave Sittler's Blog

NORMAN — There is one simple suggestion I have for Bob Stoops in these troubled times — change the subject matter in your pregame films.

In his 10-plus seasons at Oklahoma, Stoops often puts together video highlight clips from previous OU games against that week's opponent. It's his way of both inspiring and educating his team on the school's rich tradition and the players who established it, often long before the current players were born and Stoops was coaching the Sooners.

Lord knows, Stoops wouldn't have to dig very deep in the archives to showcase some great OU moments against Texas A&M, tonight's opponent at Memorial Stadium. Stoops could dial up many of the outstanding performances from players who helped him build a dominating 9-1 record against the Aggies.

For example: Linebacker Torrance Marshall's interception and electric 41-yard touchdown run to seal a 35-31 win at A&M during OU's 2000 national championship season remains arguably the biggest, most significant play of the Stoops era.

But an OU team in the midst of a Titanic-like season (5-4, 3-2 Big 12), desperately needs someone to toss out a life preserver. Something bigger and more pertinent to the Sooners' situation than a highlight reel.

That's why Stoops needs to turn out the lights and turn on a video of the speech a dying Jim Valvano gave at the 1993 ESPY Awards. Gravely ill with cancer, the former college basketball coach delivered several powerful messages in that 11-minute speech, which included seven unforgettable words: "Don't give up, don't ever give up."

Sixteen years later, that remains the motto of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. It should also be OU's mantra for the rest of a season that will arrive at the crossroads in the 6 p.m. kickoff against the Aggies (5-4, 2-3 Big 12).

Does OU win out, including a victory in the Cotton Bowl to finish a respectful 9-4? Or do they surrender, turning a once-promising season into the worst of Stoops' OU career?

In 142 games at OU, Stoops has had only one team quit on him. After USC crushed the Sooners 55-19 in the 2004 BCS title game, some Trojan players made that claim.

"In the third quarter, they were telling us — their players telling us on the field — just to run the ball so the clock would go out so we could go home," USC quarterback Matt Leinart told a Los Angles radio station. "They were saying that."

Anyone familiar with Stoops' background understands "quit" is a vile four-letter word that isn't part of his DNA. He may be the nation's second-highest paid college coach, as USA Today inconveniently pointed out this week, but he didn't reach that $4.3 million-a-season level by giving up when times got tough for him as a college player and assistant coach on some bad teams at Iowa and Kansas State.

So Stoops will do everything within his power to make sure OU finishes this season giving 100 percent effort. But he can't play the game, so it's up to his disillusioned players to readjust their goals and make sure this November isn't remembered for last week's 10-3 disaster at Nebraska.

"It gets down to an individual's will and an individual's pride," Stoops said. "I think our players won't succumb to (losing). They'll keep fighting hard."

OU's defense has gone full bore all season. But it's only human nature for players to eventually become frustrated when their teammates on the offensive side of the ball continue to commit senseless penalties and costly turnovers.

Stoops has to depend on his beleaguered offensive line to be self-motivated. He can't threaten to bench anyone because injuries have basically wiped out what little depth the Sooners' offense had up front.

"You can accept (bad luck) and have a defeatist attitude and woe is me," Stoops said. "Or you can respond."

If redshirt freshman center Ben Habern is any indication, Stoops might not have to concern himself with his team's attitude.

"It all goes back to you thinking of all the guys who have played here before you," Habern said. "All those Oklahoma greats, who played in the past with teams that have gone to national championships and won (three) consecutive Big 12 championships.

"You want to prove to the guys who have played here that we still are Oklahoma and we still can play with the best. So it's a pride deal. And that's a big deal for most of the guys here."

Uh-oh. Notice that Habern said "most" of his teammates share his never-quit, prideful attitude. That's encouraging. But, just in case, Stoops might want to dig out Jimmy V's incredible speech and show it right before tonight's kickoff.
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist

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5 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/14/2009 8:22:53 AM)
I think you meant a "respectable 9-4", Dave. We still have more overall talent than the rest of our opponents, so I guess it DOES come down to pride, along with focus, determination and execution. Good advice on the Valvano speech too. It's up there with Gehrig's as the greatest ever.
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JR, (11/14/2009 9:12:31 AM)
AMEN !!
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OU@BVAR, Bella Vista (11/14/2009 3:25:06 PM)
The offense has quite a bit of bad luck. But I will never believe that any Sooners quit trying unless they quit the team because they couldn't live up to expectations.
"Sooner magic" is another way of saying Sooner determination to be the best.
Go team. Show A&M we are not dead insite of the rummers to the contrary.
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The Masked Assassin, Parts Unknown (11/14/2009 9:06:10 PM)
Rummers?
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FrankEaton, Tulsa (11/15/2009 12:39:48 AM)
Good job sooners! You don't suck as bad as we all thought!
 

 
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