Second-half adjustments working for defense
While Oklahoma’s defensive performance has left something to be desired lately, one thing the Sooners have done well on that side of the ball is improve as the game has gone on.
In the last three games — wins over Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State — OU’s defense has performed significantly better after halftime.
During that stretch, the Sooners have given up 1,510 yards of total offense, but nearly two-thirds of that production has come in the first half.
“I think it’s how resilient our team is,” Sooners coach
Lincoln Riley said. “I think our defensive coaches have been able to really do some good work after halftime, when you get in there and regroup and really assess how teams are attacking you and what we can do better.”
Last week, Oklahoma State showed several offensive looks that the Sooners hadn’t seen. The Cowboys ran a double-post that they hadn’t shown to that point in the season. The first time, it hurt the Sooners and on the second, safety
Steven Parker was able to make the play.
Minor adjustments can sometimes be made early in a game but some require more time, leaving halftime as the ideal period to work on changes.
“There are some things that happen that you may not feel comfortable doing just because of what happened, but most of the times you can adjust what you have,” defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said.
Here’s a look at OU’s opponents’ last three games by half: Kansas State First: 316 yards total (60 passing, 256 rushing) Second: 96 (84 passing, 12 rushing) Texas Tech First: 282 (195 passing, 87 rushing)
Second: 155 (127 passing, 28 rushing) Oklahoma State First: 391 (258 passing, 133 rushing)
Second: 270 (190 passing, 80 rushing)
Okoronkwo Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist
Oklahoma defensive end/linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
The trophy is award to the defensive player who most embodies the qualities of integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Okoronkwo is second on the Sooners with 53 tackles and is eighth nationally with eight sacks.
The winner of the award will be announced Dec. 10 in Newport Beach, California.
The winner’s university will receive a $25,000 to the general scholarship fund while the schools of the runners-up will receive $5,000 each.
Riley, Cumbie share history
When Riley first arrived at Texas Tech, Sonny Cumbie was a Red Raiders quarterback.
By the time Cumbie’s eligibility was up, Riley was a student assistant starting his path toward becoming a head coach by the time he turned 34.
Saturday, Riley and Cumbie will be on opposite sides, with Cumbie now serving as TCU’s offensive coordinator.
“He’s certainly somebody that I was very close with for a long time,” Riley said. “He’s always been a good friend. We had a lot of good times together and I’ve enjoyed watching his progression and how good of a coach he’s become and what a tremendous job he’s done there.
"It’s kind of like playing a lot of these teams in the league. You feel like you’re playing your family a little bit, at least through the week. But once you get in there and the game, it’s just another game that you’re trying to win."