Cowboys defense looks to continue rise
STILLWATER – Defensively, OSU’s season so far has served as a lead up to this: Bedlam.
A group with several significant question marks back in August, the ideal scenario plotted a schedule that allowed for on-the-job training for the younger Cowboys, particularly cornerbacks A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams.
According to plan, the defense has stair-stepped right along with the schedule, with competition and enemy quarterback threats gradually increasing. The defense starred, even, the past two weeks, lending a heavy hand to wins at Texas and West Virginia.
“Everybody’s having fun,” said Cowboys safety Tre Flowers. “Everybody’s flying around. You see D-linemen making plays, all the way out by the (sidelines). The young players are stepping up.
“It’s a great thing right now and we just need to keep getting better.”
Better because the competition gets better in No. 8-ranked Oklahoma.
“I said last Saturday it would be the biggest challenge for us, playing in that environment (at West Virginia),” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “But this is the best offense we’ve faced, and the best quarterback we’ve faced. So this will be a pretty good barometer for how much we’ve come along.”
Spencer redirects OU run game success
Despite losing Joe Mixon and Semaje Perine from a year ago, Oklahoma keeps running the ball with strong results.
In Abdul Adams, Trey Sermon and Rodney Anderson, the Sooners have a three-headed running back committee that’s combined for 1,384 yards (170.5 per game) and eight touchdowns.
OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said he appreciates the Sooner backs, yet added that the biggest component to OU’s continued rushing success starts with the offensive line.
“Those huge dudes who are opening those holes for them,” Spencer said. “That’s what it’s all about.
“There were a lot of publications that had them as the best offensive line in the nation. And that’s for good reason.”
Led by left tackle Orlando Brown, a projected firstround NFL draft pick, the Sooners’ men up front have cleared the way for a rushing attack that offers 216.5 yards per game, more than complementing an OU passing attack that ranks third nationally.
“They’ve got a lot of tailbacks, guys with a burst, some guys with some meat who can take a lick,” Spencer said. “But it’s all about the best offensive line that we’ve faced.
“We’ve got a few NFL players that we’ll be going against this weekend.”
Stoner understands Bedlam significance
One common, and boring, line of chatter for the week is the suggestion by players and coaches that Bedlam is just the next game, one of several.
Occasionally, however, someone breaks rank and refreshingly cops to the bigness of Bedlam.
“Growing up in this state, watching this rivalry and knowing how important this is and how much it means to people here,” said Cowboys receiver Dillon Stoner, a Jenks product, “I can’t even put it into words how excited I am and ready for this game.
“You’ve got to take it as one more game, but then again, it’s Bedlam. So we’re ready for it.”
For Stoner, it’s an opportunity to cross paths with former Jenks teammates: safety Steven Parker, wide receiver Jordan Smallwood and defensive tackle Marquise Overton.
“It’s going to be fun competing against them,” Stoner said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen them, so it should be fun.
“We’re all good friends. At the end of the day, we just want to compete.”