|
Published: September 18, 2005 01:10 am
Miscues hurt Sooners
Clay Horning
The Norman Transcript
PASADENA, Calif. — Two weeks earlier, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops bemoaned his team’s toughness.
One week earlier, the Sooners having shown plenty of toughness in a victory over Tulsa, it was the passing game, all 42 yards of it, that had Stoops deeply concerned.
Saturday, the passing game improved, but a new culprit emerged in OU’s 41-24 loss to UCLA.
“I’m just not at all pleased with our discipline, the penalties and the turnovers,” he said. “To me, that’s the whole game.”
Maybe not the whole game, but it was more than enough to doom the Sooners (1-2) against the Bruins (0-3).
The Sooners only lost two fumbles, though it seemed like more, the ball hitting the ground seven times in all. They were flagged seven times for 55 yards, less than UCLA, though OU’s calls were much more costly.
“They’re going to happen,” OU linebacker Rufus Alexander said of all the miscues. “You just can’t let them get to you.”
The problem for the Sooners was they just kept happening and happening and happening. And still, while some saw all the mistakes, others saw progress.
“We got a lot closer. Until the fourth quarter, we were there,” team captain and fullback J.D. Runnels said. “We just have to work on finishing and not making mistakes.”
OU can only hope its so easy.
The Sooners picked up 25 first downs, easily a season high, as were their 241 yards passing and 398 total yards. Defensively, at the half, OU had allowed just 19 yards rushing on 16 Bruin carries.
“I thought there were a lot of things that you can build on,” co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “There’s a lot of positives you can take from it, but again, (there were) some real critical errors and we just have to be better and be smarter and have overall better awareness.”
Though he failed to complete any passes in the first quarter, Bomar came back to complete 20 of 29 in the game without any interceptions.
“I think we’re making progress,” the redshirt freshman said. “I think we’ll be all right.”
Of course, “all right” is relative.
The Sooners haven’t started a season with two losses in their first three games since 1997 and haven’t lost two games in the regular season since 2002.
Before the season began, Stoops frequently compared what approached the Sooners with what approached the Sooners in 2000, the year OU last won a national championship. While there is longer any comparison between the two campaigns, Stoops remains hopeful about this one.
“We’re a work in progress,” he said. “We’re not quitting. We’re going to push and improve. If we do that, we have a chance to be a good team.”
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Crossroads Youth & Family Services, Inc
WANT A GREAT PLACE TO WORK?
• Head Start Teachers (St Stephens) • Early Head Start Assistant Teacher (Ba...>MORE
Full or Part-time
Carpenters & Carpenters Helpers Must have own hand tools & vehicle. Call for Apt. 250-9841...>MORE
Optimetric Assistant Needed
PT • No Experience. Will Train. Must work Saturdays Apply at: Jones Eyecare 3332 W. Main 573-0073...>MORE
Immediate Opening
Secretary /Insurance Specialist 8am-5pm • Mon-Fri. Excellent working environment and benefits. People person, offic...>MORE
Sequoyah Enterprises, Inc.
is seeking a Contract Therapist to provide group/individual therapy and treatment plans for 12 youth with disa...>MORE
ACCESS THERAPY of Paul’s Valley, OK
is currently accepting applications for READING SPECIALIST Applicants must have a reading specialist cert...>MORE
Church Financial Secretary
Church Financial Secretary Large Methodist Church in Norman seeks experienced financial secretary. Posi...>MORE
SUPPORT TECH
for Norman Company FAX Resume to Penn @ 405-447-0254 or email: penn@ciscor.com
www.ciscor.com...>MORE
Now Currently Hiring
Personal Care Aides Moore • Norman Full-time & Part-time Available. No Experience Necessary. Must Be...>MORE
I LOVE MY JOB!
You Can Too, Join the Fun & Creative Team at Dungarvin OK, LLC. Assist People with Developmental ...>MORE
See all ads |
10 Acres close to Thunderbird
Lake, 30x50 barn, med storage, well & septic, OEC Electric. $85,000 OBO. Call Roy 405 512-8491...>MORE
3Bd/2Bth/2Car • Built 2007
905 N. 4th Ave, Purcell, OK Beautiful! • Nice Nghborhd! • 1279 sf Brick, Ceiling Fans, Stnlss Steel Appls ...>MORE
2200sq’ 3 or 4 bedroom,
New updates on 2.5ac. 5709 N. Floyd Cox Dr. NE Norman $125,000 Call Tim 414-2936...>MORE
2002 Mobile Home set in Park
3Bd/2full Bth/ Hot tub, Very Good Condition, Take Over Payments $390/mo 512-7596 • 371-0421...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|