Rattler not landing deep ball so far
NORMAN — Since Lincoln Riley’s arrival before the 2015 season, OU’s offense has consistently been among the most explosive in college football.
But through three games this season, the Sooners are tied for No. 33 in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a 6.65 yardsper-play average.
Last year, OU averaged 6.97 yards per play after averaging 7.82 in Riley’s first five seasons.
One of the major reasons OU’s offensive efficiency is down so far this season has been the lack of a deep passing game.
Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler has just 17 completions of 15 yards or more, and only one of those — a 20-yarder to Eric Gray against Western Carolina — went for a touchdown. Last season, Rattler had 20 such completions — six for touchdowns — through three games.
In Riley’s first six seasons at OU, the average length of a Sooners’ touchdown pass was 27.5 yards, including 25.2 by Rattler last season. So far this season, it’s 7.7.
Rattler has just one completion longer than 28 yards this season — a 50-yard completion to Marvin Mims in the opener against Tulane.
Rattler said he wasn’t too concerned about the lack of deep-ball opportunities so far.
“These teams know what we like to do,” Rattler said.
“We have guys who can get down the field. But a lot of people don’t understand. They’re quick to say this and that, but a lot of people don’t understand what defenses are trying to do versus us. They like to take away the deep shots so we can stay underneath, and they can rally to the ball.”
But Rattler also said he expected more long completions to happen, beginning Saturday against West Virginia (6:30 p.m., ABC).
“That’s the plan,” Rattler said. “They can come out and throw a curveball, but our plan is great going into this game.”