What about the passing game?

By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

November 07, 2006 12:59 am

— Oklahoma’s passing game was nearly non-existent Saturday against Texas A&M. Quarterback Paul Thompson only attempted 12 passes and only completed three for 39 yards.
All the passing totals were season lows, but both offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said the Sooners didn’t intend to shun the pass in the 17-16 victory over the Aggies.
“It was almost a total opposite,” Kelly said. “The way their defense usually plays, there’s a lot of shots for the deep passes. But the way they played their safeties there weren’t opportunities to do that.”
Texas A&M didn’t use their safeties much in run support. It chose to keep them 15-20 yards deep on just about every play.
Wilson said the Sooners didn’t work much on short and intermediate pass plays leading up to the game. That was why he was reluctant to put the ball in the air.
“In hindsight, we needed to work more on quick-game and intermediate range,” he said. “We probably hadn’t practiced that enough. Our timing was out of sync.”
However, OU’s passing game appeared to be out of sync before it went to Kyle Field. Thompson has thrown for 1,605 yards this season, but only 271 in the last three games. The Sooners (7-2, 4-1 Big 12) have won all three of those games.
“I can’t sit here and lie and say we weren’t frustrated,” Kelly said. “If you’re a running back and you get three carries in one game, who is going to sit up here and say they’re not frustrated?
“In the end, we came away with a win and it’s not easy at Kyle Field.”
Kelly also believes offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson is trying to send a message to the receivers.
“I don’t think the coach, when it comes to the one who is calling the plays, is satisfied with the way we’ve been practicing,” Kelly said. “They (the coaches) sit down there and watch the film after practice. Whatever they see in practice, they’re not going to attempt to throw the ball when they see receivers going half speed or dropping balls.”

Game times set
The kickoff times for OU’s final three regular-season games have been established.
Saturday’s game at Owen Field against Texas Tech will begin at 6 p.m. The Sooners’ Nov. 18 contest at Baylor is set for an 11 a.m. start. The regular-season finale at Oklahoma State will kick-off at 1:30 p.m.
All three games will be televised by Fox Sports Net (Cox Cable channel 37).

Big numbers
at running back
Oklahoma will likely be shut out of postseason running back honors due to Adrian Peterson missing so many games.
But if the numbers he and Allen Patrick have accrued could be given to one player, that player would have a shot at some national awards.
Combining their nine starts (six by Peterson, three by Patrick), the numbers look like this: 270 rushing attempts, 1,375 rushing yards (152.8 per game, 5.1 per carry) and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Those totals don’t include Patrick’s numbers from games in which he appeared as a reserve.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com