Sooners focused on `Race to 26'

OU defense eyes two turnovers per game en route to CFB title

NORMAN — Delarrin Turner-Yell got the first one, but OU still has a long way to go.

Turner-Yell recorded his first career interception in last week's 48-0 win over Missouri State, giving the Sooners at least a better start than they had a year ago in their season opener, but they still didn't meet their goal of two turnovers per game.

“It's a race to 26,” Turner-Yell said Thursday, noting defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's goal of averaging at least two takeaways per game.

That 26 number would put the Sooners in the national championship game.

They've had the offense to do that every year since Lincoln Riley's arrival, but the defense has held the Sooners back.

Last year, in Grinch's first season, OU took steps to get better defensively and the numbers made it obvious.

But the turnover numbers, despite Grinch's constant preaching of their importance, abysmal.

The Sooners had just 11 takeaways — seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

Grinch isn't about to make excuses for last year's numbers.

“Are we going to default to what so many people default to and say we were just unlucky? We're not going to go down that road,” Grinch said. “No, what you do is continue to emphasize it.”

Grinch also makes a point of bringing up the importance of the few the Sooners did force last year — Nik Bonitto's interception late in the comeback against Baylor, Brendan Radley-Hiles' interception to clinch the win over TCU, Parnell Motley's interception of a 2-point conversion to clinch the win over Iowa State.

“When we say takeaways equal victory, don't tell me I'm wrong,” Grinch said. “What impact on other games could have gone?”

Turner- Yell's interception last week didn't ultimately have much of an impact on the outcome. By the time he made it, the Sooners were already in control against an overmatched opponent. But getting that turnover, plus finishing off the shutout and holding the Bears to just 135 yards of total offense, all combined to point in a good direction for OU's defense — though the offenses the Sooners will face from here on out will get much more potent.

Turner-Yell said the difference from last year's defense was palpable on film, even facing an inferior opponent.

“Guys got after it. Guys were flying around,” Turner- Yell said. “Guys were dying to make plays.”

Grinch said a year ago he sometimes noticed a lack of energy from his defense during non-conference games, so having the energy from the get-go was encouraging.

But not everything was ideal.

Linebacker Brian Asamoah said the turnover numbers have to improve, and would follow if the defense continues taking steps forward. But just having one, especially against a team like Missouri State, puts the Sooners behind on their quest to average two turnovers per game.

Turner- Yell said the speed of the defense, especially in getting aligned, must pick up as the Sooners move quickly into Big 12 play.

“Getting lined up quicker, getting the call and just continuing to play fast and make plays as a defense,” Turner- Yell said of the areas the defense must get better at.