subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 20 2008 

Published September 13, 2006 01:06 am -

Sooners eager to handle adversity of the road


By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

There will be a lot of screaming Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., but little will be heard.

That’s what it’s like for the visitors when they play at Oregon. All the noise combines into one big wall of sound.

Oklahoma has to figure out a way to communicate in those circumstances. Add in a very good opponent like the 18th-ranked Ducks and the task is a daunting one.

OU wide receiver Malcolm Kelly has already been well versed in what to expect. The coaching staff has left little to the imagination.

“They said that Oregon is a totally different team when they are playing at home,” Kelly said Tuesday at the Sooners’ weekly media luncheon. “They told us to get ready for people yelling and saying all kinds of stuff.”

Quarterbacks scream plays at the top of their lungs, but offensive linemen and receivers can’t hear a word. There’s no sense yelling out a snap count.

Some teams don’t handle the pressure well. It can be a rattling experience for any visiting team.

Perhaps that’s why Oregon has won 24 of its last 25 non-conference home games over the last dozen seasons.

The Sooners don’t want to be another statistic. The best way to do that is to focus on what’s going on between the lines, not on the racket outside them.

“That’s what really matters,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “The 11 guys that are on the field are all that you have to compete with, so that’s what we focus on.”

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson had his unit practicing with ear plugs this week. The whole idea was to make sure everyone understands that hearing quarterback Paul Thompson will be very difficult Saturday. Understanding him will require focus.

“We’re just trying to make sure guys are focusing in on me, listening to what I have to say and blocking everything else out,” Thompson said.

It’s something OU will have to do four more times this season and five if you count the time the Sooners have the ball on Texas’ end of the Cotton Bowl.

Learning to deal with crowd noise is a part of college football that can’t be overlooked. It will be deafening Saturday, but won’t be any different at some of the other venues OU will visit.

It can get very loud at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field or Oklahoma State’s Boone Pickens Stadium. OU plays in both stadiums in November.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.

Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.




monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

Greeter/Receptiontist
Experience with Word, Excel
& Quick Books Helpful • Apply at FLOYDS RV OF NORMAN
I-35 & Goldby Exit #104...>MORE

Pest Control Technician
Respected Pest Management
Company with over 60 years
experience is looking for an
Organized, Detail-Or
...>MORE

Full-Charge Bookkeeper
Growing Norman company
desires a Full-Charge
Bookkeeper/Administrative
Assistant with a positive attitude
...>MORE

Need Person with Good Driving
Record for Furniture Delivery & Sales. Apply in Person;
1321 E. Lindsey.
...>MORE

Part-time Clerical Help Needed.
Filing, Appointment Scheduling, Phone Reception.. Computer Exp.
required. Medical exp. not
necessary. 11:am-4
...>MORE

Lic Clinical Director
Counselors & Case
Managers Needed
Bachelor & Master level lic
or under supv preferred
Fax resume, w/
...>MORE

DAYCARE WORKERS NEEDED
FT & PT Positions Avail. • Flex. Hrs
Go-Kids Mother’s Day Out
Apply in person@ 2040 W. Boyd
...>MORE

CROSSROADS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES
Looking for a caring employer? An opportunity to work with children?
We are the place for you!
• Early Head St
...>MORE

ST. Marks Mothers Day Out
program is hiring a new director. Management skills an experience in early childhood are required. To apply please mail...>MORE

State Pilot Program Coordinator (Norman)
Lead & direct the contract to designated program staff.
Oversee contract goals & objectives, data management & repo
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

(Moore) Nice 3Bd/Brick 1 3/4
Bath/2Car Home, 1250sq’, Fncd Yd, Moore Schools, Close to Shopping, $88,900. 354-3100 • 615-7580...>MORE

FSBO Lake Front House in Norman
6.3 AC’s • 1750 SF • 3Bd/2Bth/2Car
Granite Ctrs, Spa, Huge Deck • $160K
on Reynold’s Lake • 405-664-4188
...>MORE

FSBO: 1988sq’ home on
1ac in East Moore, Needs repair, sold as is, $68,000 392-2449...>MORE

FSBO:Mobile Home on 1 ac,
3Bd/2Bth, S/W, community well, own septic, Hwy 77 & 60th area, $22,500 Cash, No Owner Finance! 226-0020...>MORE

1 Bd Condos • $27,500/each
Move-In Ready! Good Investment!
At Woodstock- 1932 E. Lindsey
SPM Realty Inc. 694-9920 / 360-0526
...>MORE

OPEN SUN 2-5:PM
Reduced To: $199,000
SUMMIT LAKES AWESOME
4BD/ 2LIv/ 2Din/ 3Ba/ 2 Gar/ 2518 SF • Built in 2000
New Inside
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc