This Date in College Football History

Oct. 13, 1984: Texas kicker Jeff Ward kicks a 32-yard field goal as time expires, as the top ranked Longhorns salvage a controversial 15-15 tie with No. 3 Oklahoma in Dallas. Sooner safety Keith Stanberry's apparent end zone interception of a Todd Dodge pass is ruled out of bounds. Texas falls to No. 3, while Oklahoma climbs to No. 2.

Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

Featured Match-Up: Sooners vs. Longhorns

QB COLT MCCOY VS. SS NIC HARRIS

A STRONG-ARMED quarterback who can make all the throws, Colt McCoy shows good touch on long and intermediate passes. He has good mobility in the pocket and is more than capable of avoiding the rush. At times he will tend to “throw it up” in hopes of a big play rather than take the sack or simply throw it away. His willingness to take gambles is also part of what you’ve gotta like about him. After suffering through a bit of a sophomore slump (McCoy’s touchdowns went down by seven and interceptions increased by 11 from his freshman season), McCoy is having his best season to date. He looks stronger and is playing faster.

FOR A SAFETY, Nic Harris possesses ideal size. His bulk and strength exceed that of many college linebackers. Harris is an excellent athlete and an instinctive football player that the Sooners' staff loves to move around and let loose. He's at his best moving forward—Harris is capable of getting into the backfield to stop a running back for a loss and he is also a very effective blitzer. Harris has experience playing in a nickel role and he is a defensive leader. The Louisiana native is very muscular and in phenomenal shape (less than five percent body fat)—he could be the strongest safety in the nation.

OT PHIL LOADHOLT VS.DE BRIAN ORAKPO

AT 6’8 AND over 330 pounds, it is obvious that Phil Loadholt’s biggest strength is his sheer size, but he is also very athletic for a mountain of a man. The residuals of the former high school basketball star are still there, allowing him to play left tackle and protect Sam Bradford’s blind side. In his first season as a Sooner, Loadholt started in all 14 games and was very productive. Born in Hawaii, Loadholt has made his way around the country throughout his young life, including a stop at Garden City Junior College prior to his arrival in Norman. The Second Team All-Big 12 performer adjusted rather easily to playing Division I football last season.

A FIFTH-YEAR senior, Brian Orakpo has appeared in 40 games heading into the Red River Rivalry. Throughout his time as a Longhorn, he has gained valuable experience playing behind the likes of future pros Tim Crowder (Broncos) and Brian Robison (Vikings). As a senior, Orakpo has improved all aspects of his game, but his strength remains his ability to get into the offensive backfield—his primary job is to get to the quarterback. He displays excellent agility and explosiveness off the edge for a defensive lineman. A hard worker, Orakpo plays to the whistle.

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department, University of Texas Athletics

Game of the Week: Oklahoma vs. Texas

THE ANNUAL showdown between the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) and the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 1-0 Big 12), also known as the Red River Rivalry, goes all the way back to 1900. Texas leads the all-time series (57-40-5), although the Bob Stoops-led Sooners have reversed the trend in recent times by winning six of the last eight contests. This year’s game will be held at the neutral site of the Cotton Bowl, as it has been since 1929. While OU is routinely dominating opponents with a quick-strike, no-huddle offense that puts up points in very rapid fashion, Texas features a stifling defense that has surrendered only five touchdowns so far this season. Something simply has to give.

When the ‘Horns Have the Ball

FOLLOWING A sub-par season in 2007, former Big 12 offensive freshman of the year, quarterback Colt McCoy, has bounced back in grand style this seaso, passing for 1,280 yards along with 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions. In many ways, McCoy has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Vince Young, in the way he seemingly pulls victory from the jaws of defeat. The junior already has already registered five fourth-quarter and three second-half comebacks in his career. In addition to being visibly stronger than last season, McCoy is also showing improved mobility along with better judgment by curtailing his tendency to throw into coverage. Vondrell McGee, Cody Johnson, Chris Ogbonnaya and Foswhitt “Fozzy” Whittaker form the Longhorns’ four-headed rushing attack. Ogbonnaya—the senior of the group—is the team’s designated third-down specialist and best blocker. In last week’s 38-14 trouncing of Colorado, the 6’1”, 225 lb. back had his best day as a collegiate, scoring twice while gaining 71 rushing yards on nine carries along with 116 receiving yards on six receptions. Although none of the quartet offers the game breaking skills of last year’s lead man, Jamaal Charles, they all do their share to contribute. McGee, in particular, shows signs of being a complete back that runs with balance, good speed and cut-back ability. The only knock on him is his less-than-ideal size at 205 lbs. At wide out, seniors Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley are a dynamic duo that have combined to catch 56 passes for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns less than halfway through the year. Cosby is a paragon of consistency, who has recorded a least one reception through 36 consec-utive games. The 25-year-old former minor-league baseball player is an acrobatic deep threat, who also serves as a dynamic kick returner. His counterpart, Shipley, is a top-notch route runner with solid run-after-catch ability out of the slot position. The offensive line is led by fifth-year guard Cedric Dockery, who’s strong, physical and quite athletic for a 320-pounder.

OVERLOOKED BY many during the off-season, OU’s linebacking corps has taken the college world by storm with the exceptional play of Ryan Reynolds, Travis Lewis and Keenan Clayton. As the leader of this unit, Reynolds has made a quantum leap, becoming an omnipresent force in the tackling department. In his past two games, the physical defender has racked up 24 tackles while maintaining perfect technique and lining up his two partners in crime. Clayton is just oozing with potential thanks to the former safety’s instincts and speed utilized to track down ball carriers. Weakside backer Lewis is a former running back with 4.3 speed, who’s using his remarkable athleticism to mask his inexperience at his new position. The 6’2”, 232 lb. San Antonio native has really come on as one of the team’s best pass rushers. Defensive end Jeremy Beal is a weapon that coordinator Brent Venables enjoys using as a chess piece by lining him up in a three-point stance, as well as dropping him in underneath coverage. Beal’s versatility poses a myriad of problems for opposing teams in their pre-snap reads. Defensive end Auston English is another Sooner that can rush the quarterback, as evidenced by his 2.5 sacks in the season opener versus Chattanooga. At the tackle position, Gerald McCoy is an invaluable component despite not putting up big numbers. His effectiveness in tying up blockers and freeing up teammates has drawn comparisons to former Sooner and current Chicago Bear Tommie Harris. In the secondary, the 6’3” Nic Harris is a king-sized strong safety blessed with the speed and intelligence to constantly be around the ball. Overall, the Sooner defense has surprised many with the way they’re generating pressure with four linemen, all of which have played a key role in preventing the secondary from getting torched so far this season.

When Boomer Sooner Has the Ball

THE SOONERS’ high-octane attack has been nothing short of a nightmare for defenses. Due to their high-flying passing game, this big red machine churns out 49.6 points-per-game. The general of this point-scoring brigade is signal caller Sam Bradford. The soon-to-be 21-year-old is a tall passer (6’5”) that can not only put extraordinary power behind his throws, but also provide excellent touch. His uncanny method of reading defenses makes him a superior decision maker, and the Heisman Trophy candidate is second in the nation in passer rating. OU’s fantastic four at receiver are Juaquin Iglesias, Manuel Johnson, Ryan Broyles and Quentin Chaney. Among the wide outs, Iglesias’ star has shone the brightest. If his sure-handedness wasn’t enough, the senior is also very quick off the line of scrimmage, but doesn’t shy away from making catches in traffic. His do-whatever-it-takes work ethic combined with his field-stretching speed make him one of top receivers in the country. The shifty Broyles has tremendous running skills after the catch and does a fine job of making people miss. If that weren’t enough, tight end Jermaine Gresham is arguably the best player at his position. The pass-catching phenom is averaging 29.5 yards per touchdown. The scary thing is, OU’s offense would be even more terrifying to opposing defenses is they had a fully healthy DeMarco Murray. The speedy tailback has yet to fully recover from off-season knee surgery, and his breakaway speed and ability to cut on a dime, while still impressive, are only going to increase as the season goes on. Chris Brown is the short-yardage back with the requisite toughness and vision to gain tough yards in crucial moments. The Sooner offensive line is a physical group featuring four seniors that average 6’5”, 311 lbs. Guard Duke Robinson is the best lineman in the Big 12, the classic road grater. Left tackle Phil Loadholt is a massive individual with long arms and powerful hands that make him a force in the run game. Steady, center Jon Cooper leads the team with 55 takedowns.

BROUGHT IN to inject life into a moribund defensive unit, coordinator Will Muschamp has infused his players with a new attitude. The antics of the animated 37-year-old have had an especially profound effect on the Longhorns’ defensive line, which is one of the most aggressive fronts in the country. Nose tackle Roy Miller along with ends Brian Orakpo and Henry Melton form an athletic bunch that do an excellent job of shutting down the run. The extremely powerful Miller is the one who holds the point of attack. In addition to benching 500 lbs., the senior is extraordinarily quick and disruptive. The explosive Orakpo is the team’s workout warrior, who started his collegiate career at 210 lbs. and has since added 50 lbs. of muscle while maintaining eight percent body fat. “Rak” uses his brute upper-body strength and lethal first step to wreak havoc in the opponent’s backfield. Orakpo has registered six sacks in his first five games, as well as 14 pressures. Melton is a technically sound lineman, who’s also an impressive athlete in his own right. Roddrick Muckelroy is the face of Texas’ linebacker corps. This year, the 6’2”, 230 lb. has come of age in terms of leadership and performance. In addition to leading the team in tackles with 40, the determined defender has also strung together dominant performances. UT’s secondary remains the weakest part of this unit. Corners Ryan Palmer and Chykie Brown have held their own, but have never faced the level of receivers they’re about to encounter. They will occasionally be left in man-free coverage on blitzes, which places the onus on safeties Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon to cover the deep middle, an area which Bradford will likely look to exploit.

Final analysis

UT’S SECONDARY will not be able to account for Oklahoma’s plethora of targets in the passing game. Iglesias, Johnson, Broyles, Chaney and Gresham will be too much to handle with Bradford at the controls behind an impenetrable offensive line. The Sooners may not jump out to one of their typical fast starts, but in the end they’ll force enough breakdowns in coverage to walk away with the win.

Prediction: Oklahoma 34 Texas 22

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department, University of Texas Athletics

No. 10 Oklahoma holds off No. 19 Texas, 28-21

DALLAS (AP) -- A couple bad quarters wasn't about to rattle Oklahoma freshman Sam Bradford - and neither were the Texas Longhorns.

Facing a tough foe in a hostile setting, Bradford looked as at ease as he did in his record-setting first few games against overmatched opponents, throwing for three touchdowns and hardly making a mistake to steer No. 10 Oklahoma past No. 19 Texas 28-21 in their annual grudge match Saturday.

Bradford was 21-of-32 for 244 yards with plenty of poise and patience, helping the Sooners (5-1, 1-1 Big 12) rebound from a second-half meltdown against Colorado and end a two-game losing streak against the Longhorns (4-2, 0-2).

Because both teams were coming off losses, the stakes of this 102nd meeting were a little different than usual. National title hopes were secondary to survival in the conference race. Oklahoma left with both a leg up in the Big 12 South and the satisfaction of dropping Texas to 0-2 in conference play for the first time since 1956, the year before Darrell Royal arrived.

The Longhorns - who were ranked seventh before a 20-point loss to Kansas State last weekend - could be in jeopardy of ending a 114-week stint in the AP poll, the longest in the country.

The Sooners have to be thinking they're in for a long stay in the poll considering Bradford is only six games into what may be a special career.

His first 4 1/2 games were so close to flawless that he came in as the nation's most efficient quarterback even after going 1-of-8 in the second half against Colorado, when OU saw a 24-7 lead turn into a 27-24 loss.

Questions about whether he'd be shaken by that outing or this atmosphere were answered midway through the first quarter, when he called an audible on third-and-14 from his own 12, on the end of the field where Texas fans are loudest, and threw a 14-yard completion.

Bradford added throws of 40 and 41 yards that drive and capped it with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham for an early lead. His other two TD throws came on drives that followed tying touchdowns by the Longhorns, including a 94-yard drive capped by a 35-yarder to Malcolm Kelly on a third down - again, right into a sea of burnt orange.

That score, which turned out to be the game-winner, came with 10:42 left. It also came shortly after his first incompletion since the second quarter, a string of 12 straight.

DeMarco Murray took over for injured starter Allen Patrick and had a 65-yard touchdown run, which he got to celebrate on the sideline with former OU star Adrian Peterson, visiting during the Minnesota Vikings' bye week. Murray finished with 128 yards.

Kelly caught five passes for 105 yards and Juaquin Iglesias had 99 yards on six catches. Gresham caught two TD passes.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, the redshirt freshman who won last year's game, continued his sophomore slump.

McCoy, who showed signs of a concussion while getting battered last week, played this game with his throwing arm bandaged from mid-forearm to biceps. While his body held up, this just wasn't his day. He couldn't even get officials to throw a flag when he was thrown down from his blind side on a play that had been whistled dead.

McCoy was 19-of-26 for 324 yards, but four of his incompletions - and his lone interception - came in the fourth quarter. The pickoff on what might've been a tying drive went through the hands of running back Jamaal Charles, who also lost a fumble inside the Oklahoma 5 in the third quarter.

Jermichael Finley caught four passes for 149 yards, with gains of 55 and 58 yards that set up Texas' first two touchdowns. Jordan Shipley had the first and Finley got the second, which put the Longhorns ahead 14-7.

Charles ran for 79 yards and Vondrell McGee went 1 yard for the Longhorns' final score.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department

Oklahoma's Bradford to make Red River Rivalry debut

By JEFF LATZKE
AP Sports Writer

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - On a Red River Rivalry Saturday, the Cotton Bowl is a rowdy mix of friends and foes.

Fans pound on the team bus as it winds through the state fairgrounds, then show their allegiances by wearing Oklahoma crimson and Texas burnt orange in a stadium split down the middle.

Some quarterbacks have used the rivalry game, always played in early October, as their first chance to be a hero. Jason White, destined for a Heisman Trophy two years later, came on in relief to guide Oklahoma to a 14-3 win in 2001. Colt McCoy, a redshirt freshman, threw for two second-half scores last year to notch his first big win for the Longhorns.

Other debuts haven't gone so well. Rhett Bomar had only 94 yards passing in 2005. A year earlier, Vince Young had only 86 yards passing in a shutout loss.

Next up is Oklahoma redshirt freshman Sam Bradford.

The nation's top-rated passer, Bradford was nearly flawless in his first four games. He set the school record with 22 straight completions, then came within one of tying his own mark a week later. He threw 10 touchdown passes before his first interception, won his first career start, beat Miami and came out on top in his first road game.

Then he lost his first Big 12 Conference game.

``I guess come Saturday we'll find out how he's ready,'' Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. ``He's a great competitor. He played a lot of sports. He typically came to play in great situations, but this is a different one. Until you play in it, you don't know.''

The atmosphere in Dallas was enough to make former Oklahoma fullback J.D. Runnels throw up. It was intriguing enough that linebacker Lewis Baker put on 10 pounds, eating constantly throughout the week, so coaches would let him play in the game two years ago.

Quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, who went 1-1 in the rivalry, is trying to get Bradford prepared for what he'll be feeling.

``I think you can't allow it to get the best of you. Certainly, it's an electric atmosphere. It's a big football game. It's a championship-type atmosphere,'' Heupel said. ``Is there a lot of emotion that goes into that? Yeah. Do you have to find a way to settle yourself down once that ball's kicked off that tee? Yeah, you do.''

It's hard to tell what Bradford, who threw two interceptions in last week's 27-24 loss at Colorado, is thinking as the game approaches. He's the only starting quarterback for a top 15 team that is never allowed to talk to reporters outside of game day, including two other freshmen in that fraternity.

``I think if he was talking to you today, he wouldn't be very happy about his performance on Saturday, and he'd be worried about playing a lot better on (this) Saturday,'' Heupel said.

McCoy, who also was a redshirt freshman for his debut last year, said the hardest part for him was getting through the week leading up to the game.

``I think the most important thing is handling the emotion of a big game, a big rivalry like that,'' McCoy said. ``I can remember how tough it was just to go in there and play.''

Heupel, who lost his 1999 rivalry debut 38-28 after his two first-quarter TD passes put the Sooners up 17-0, added: ``Everyone on campus talks about it. You've got to let that go out the window.''

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who called Bradford the least of the Sooners' problems at Colorado, believes his young quarterback is ready.

``He just has a very good, strong demeanor about him - just being calm, being together, not getting rattled,'' Stoops said. ``He just continues to compete. He acts very mature that way.''

Whether that's enough will be determined Saturday afternoon.

``There's been freshmen quarterbacks rattled in this game before - two years ago comes to mind,'' said Texas defensive tackle Derek Lokey, referring to Bomar's performance. ``But to predict whether or not it's going to happen to him? Colt was a freshman last year and came out and played great. You never know what's going to happen.''

Source: ncaafootball.com

THE CFI TOP 25 COUNTDOWN: #4 OKLAHOMA SOONERS

BY DANIEL MOGOLLON
CO-FOUNDER
COLLEGE FOOTBALL INSIDERS





2006 RECORD: 11-3; BIG 12: 7-1
Lost Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise St. 43-42 (OT)
LOCATION: Norman, Oklahoma
STADIUM: Memorial (82,112)
HEAD COACH: Bob Stoops
OVERALL: 86-19 (8 seasons)
AT OKLAHOMA: 86-19 (8 seasons)

Last season the Sooners won their fourth Big 12 Title in the last seven seasons, as Bob Stoops found a way to win despite losing his quarterback Rhett Bomar just a few weeks before the season started, as well as all everything tailback Adrian Peterson for the stretch run. As much as any program, the Sooners are about a team effort, which is why year in and year out they are among the top contenders to make a BCS Bowl, if not make a run for the title (three BCS Championship appearances under Stoops).

WHEN THE SOONERS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINAROR: Kevin Wilson (7th Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
KEY LOSSES: Adrian Peterson, Paul Thompson, Chris Messner

Redshirt freshman Sam Bradford has taken the keys to the car from Coach Stoops and this is no jalopy, the Sooners offense is a sports car all the way. Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly is among the most underrated pass catchers in the nation, who could flourish with a top-flight pocket passer. Kelly brings size and speed -- two commodities the OU receivers have an abundance of. Juaquin Iglesias is the perfect compliment, great after the catch, with Manual Johnson a pure blazer and sophomore Adron Tennell (6’4”) coming on. As if that wasn’t enough, the Sooners are three deep in talented tight ends as well, with true sophomore Jermaine Gresham possessing boundless potential. They’re not done yet, as running back may be their deepest position, with senior Allen Patrick combining pure power and great straight line speed, joined by redshirt freshman DeMarco Murray, a playmaker in the mold of Reggie Bush. If running back is their deepest position, the offensive line is their most seasoned, as six players have starting experience during their OU careers, with possibly the most talented second string in America. Everything is there for Bradford to succeed or not screw it up depending on your perspective.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Malcolm Kelly (JR), 2) George Robinson (JR), 3) Jermaine Gresham (SO), 4) DeMarco Murray (FR), 5) Allen Patrick (SR), 6) Branndan Braxton (JR), 7) Joe Jon Finley (SR), 8) Brandon Walker (JR), 9) Juaquin Iglesias (JR), 10) Brody Eldridge (SO), 11) Phil Loadholt (JR), 12) Trent Williams (SO), 13) Garrett Hartley (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINAROR: Brent Venables (9th Season)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Rufus Alexander, Zack Latimer, CJ Ah You, Larry Birdine

The last line of defense for the Sooners could be the best in all the land, could be the best we have seen at OU, which is a major statement as the defensive backfield is always a point of emphasis for Coach Stoops, often the landing spot for some of the team’s top athletes. Former highly touted offensive recruits such as Lendy Holmes and D.J. Wolfe are now key cogs in the secondary. Their top talent is skilled cover man Reggie Smith who is just as capable of starting at safety, while hybrid Nic Harris -- part safety/part linebacker could be their most productive defender. I have not even mentioned All Big 12 performer Marcus Walker (CB) or free safety Darien Williams, who despite being high on many pre-season 2008 draft lists, is not assured of a starting job this season. The front seven will have to pick it up, they lack the experience but not the potential and it all begins inside. Sophomore DeMarcus Granger and redshirt freshman Gerald McCoy were considered the best at their position coming out of high school and the expectations are that JUCO Mike Reed will be able to step in and contribute after enrolling in the spring.

PRO PROSPECTS: 1) Reggie Smith (JR), 2) Marcus Walker (SR), 3) Nic Harris (JR), 4) Lendy Holmes (SR), 5) Gerald McCoy (FR), 6) DeMarcus Granger (FR), 7) Curtis Lofton (JR), 8) Steve Coleman (SR), 9) D.J. Wolfe (SR), 10) Darien Williams (SR), 11) Mike Reed (JR)

THE SCHEDULE

With instate rival Oklahoma St., out of conference foe Miami, up and coming Big 12 South opponent Texas A & M, as well as the dangerous Missouri Tigers from the North all coming to Norman this season, the Sooners could set themselves up for a fourth trip to the BCS Championship game in the last eight seasons. Therefore, the game of the year, the Red River Shootout, will be the game of the year and may end up as a de facto national semi-final as the Sooners could very well be a touchdown favorite or better in every other contest this season. After Boomer Sooner laid the boom on the Horns five straight years, Texas has Hooked ‘Em in the last two. Last season they showed they could still win the conference with a loss to UT, however in all likelihood a potential run at the National Title would be out of question.

PIVOTAL POINT

With the best defensive backfield in America and possibly the top offensive line, as well as the most dynamic special teams in all the land the only reason the Sooners are not ranked higher is the lack of a proven commodity at the quarterback position. Stoops has won his four conference titles with four different signal callers making him the Joe Gibbs of college football, nevertheless we cannot downplay the importance of the quarterback position. If Bradford does not make mistakes the Sooners will win ten games, if he can play like another freshman quarterback did in the Big 12 South last season, the Sooners might just win them all.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

Outside of Southern California, it is hard to find a more talented roster than Bob Stoops has assembled in Norman and if they had a proven leader under center there is little doubt they would be the number-two team in the country. If speed kills then they do not lack ammunition. Of course, they must also avoid the odd year jinx, as all of Stoops’ Big 12 Titles have come in even years (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006). The Sooners found a way to win with a first year starter at quarterback in 2006 and they will do so again in 2007.

Check back tomorrow to see who is #3 in CFI’s Top 25 Countdown