Published October 26, 2005 12:39 am -
John Shinn's Oklahoma Football Notepad
Upon further review
The Norman Transcript
For the second straight week, the Sooners have been asking questions about the new instant replay system.
During OU’s 37-30 double-overtime victory over Baylor, there were two controversial calls in the final two minutes.
Television replays showed Baylor quarterback Shawn Bell’s knee was down prior to his reaching the end zone on his two-point conversion that tied the game at 27-27.
The play was not reviewed.
Malcolm Kelly appeared to make a miraculous catch that could have put the Sooners in field-goal range in the closing seconds of regulation. He was ruled out of bounds and the play was upheld after being reviewed.
But it took replay officials more than 30 seconds to decide the review was necessary.
Stoops would like to see the replay officials get involved a little quicker, yet is being patient with the new system.
“You would think on some of those situations that they would immediately just go review it,” he said. “In a game-winning situation, whether it’s Malcolm’s catch or the two-point conversion, when it is close, why not just look at (it)? It takes just a couple of minutes.
“I’m sure as we go, they’ll continue to get better at it. I’m encouraged. I still think it’s better than what we’ve had and I think it will improve as we go.”
Mutual respect
When Oklahoma and Nebraska last met, the game was more remembered for what happened before it and after it than what went on during it.
Nebraska offensive lineman Darren DeLone’s confrontation with a Ruf-Nek happened before the game and Husker coach Bill Callahan was quoted muttering the words “hillbillies” at Oklahoma fans while being pelted with oranges after the Sooners’ 30-3 victory at Owen Field.
OU coach Bob Stoops said there’s no bad blood over last season.
“I ended up talking to Bill, and I think there were a lot of unfortunate circumstances around that whole day,” Stoops said. “I don’t think Bill means that by any means. There’s no bad blood, at least not on our part. A lot happened that day that was unfortunate.
“To me, what’s too important is the tradition and history of the great games, great respect for one another. There’s been so much success between both programs, let’s not have an isolated incident or one day ruin that. There’s too much good in both programs for that to be the case.”