Tulsa World: OU Notebook: More mild than wild

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OU Notebook: More mild than wild

Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles runs under pressure from Jordan Pugh of Texas A&M. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 11/15/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 11/15/2009 6:54 AM

Oklahoma's version of the Wildcat formation returned Saturday night against Texas A&M, making its first appearance since the Sooners' season-opening loss to BYU. It didn't exactly light a fire under OU's offense.

Wide receiver Ryan Broyles took a direct snap on the Sooners' second play. He handed to DeMarco Murray, but defensive tackle Lucas Patterson beat guard Stephen Good and stopped the run for no gain.

Murray was going to take the first snap of OU's second series.

Tackle Cory Brandon, however, was called for a false start and the Sooners returned Landry Jones under center.

The same problem cropped up when Murray lined up in the shotgun early in the second quarter. Right guard Tavaris Jeffries false-started and the formation was called off.

Finally, on their last series of the first half, the Sooners were able to pop Murray for a 9-yard gain after his fake handoff to Broyles. They returned to the line of scrimmage and tried the same play again, but linebacker Garrick Williams cut down Murray for a loss of 1.

Back in the Wildcat in the third quarter, Murray carried twice more for 7 yards.

Line items: OU played without starting offensive linemen Brody Eldridge, Brian Simmons and Jarvis Jones. That meant freshman Tyler Evans made his first start at right guard since the Tulsa game Sept. 19, in place of Jones at right guard.

Jeffries, who hadn't played since starting against Texas Oct. 17, rotated with Evans.

Jeffries struggled, false-starting twice within the span of four plays during an OU drive during the second quarter.

Trent Williams and Stephen Good handled the left side of the line, with Ben Habern in his usual spot at center and Brandon making his fourth straight start. Tight end Eric Mensik made his debut at tackle in place of Brandon in the second half.

Landry leads the way: The most effective OU block Saturday night might have been thrown by Jones. It happened during Ryan Broyles' 25-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Jones handed to running back Chris Brown, who flipped to Broyles headed around right end. Jones led Broyles toward the corner, then got in the path of defensive end Spencer Nealy. Jones bumped Nealy into defensive tackle Eddie Brown for a two-man takeout, and Broyles was home free.

Fumble on the plays: The Sooners set up 14 of their 28 second-quarter points with recoveries of A&M kick return fumbles. Keenan Clayton got the first after Aggie punt returner Terrence Frederick failed to catch Tress Way's boot, and OU's Jamell Fleming bumped into A&M's Colton Valencia to keep him from recovering.

Jonathan Nelson forced the second fumble with a strip of kickoff returner Cyrus Gray, a fumble that freshman Ronnell Lewis recovered.

Nelson made another big special teams play in the first quarter, recovering Broyles' dropped punt return at the OU 40-yard line.

Kicking carnival: Bob Stoops went back to kicker Jimmy Stevens after his three-game benching, a response to Way's 1-for-4 field goal showing at Nebraska last week. Stevens made his first six extra points, then had his seventh blocked.

So when OU had a 35-yard field goal opportunity in the third quarter, back came Way. He hooked it wide right.

That set up the debut of Topeka, Kan., walk-on Patrick O'Hara. He split the uprights on the extra point after OU's next touchdown, then nailed a 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter. By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment UptheMiddle, Playa del Rey (11/15/2009 7:13:05 AM) Has anyone checked t see if these lineman can COUNT to three? Could explain the false start penalties.
	Report Comment Sooner transplant, Marion (11/15/2009 9:28:00 PM) Its so simple guys......even if you "know" the snap count, WATCH THE BALL! Don't move until you see it snapped!

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