OU battles losing trend
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has mostly had his way against his old offensive coordinator, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach.
In their nine head-to-head meetings this decade, Stoops’ teams are 7-2. But Oklahoma is winless on its last two trips to Lubbock, meaning none of the current Sooners players has tasted victory in Jones AT&T Stadium.
“We haven’t won out there in a while, so we’re kind of looking forward to doing something out there,’’ said OU receiver-return man Ryan Broyles, who once took a recruiting trip to Lubbock. “(The crowd’s) crazy, though. I took my official visit there. They played Texas (in 2006), and they were up the whole game until the end.’’
How big a motivation does never having won in a particular city provide? Depends on whom you ask.
“Very big,’’ said Tech offensive tackle Marlon Winn, a fifth-year senior who never won in Austin or either of the Big 12 Conference cities in Oklahoma.
Last week, Tech failed to end its losing streak in Stillwater, Okla. The Red Raiders’ last win there came in 2001.
“That’s not something we even brought up or talked about throughout the week,’’ wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons said. “It wasn’t anything we harped on or talked about.
“I mean, we talk about needing a win, but we just talk about it because they’re the next opponent.’’
But Tech linebacker Bront Bird said no upperclassman wants to go through his career shut out in a rival city. He says a pride factor comes into play.
“No one likes to have that label on them: ‘You can’t win in a certain city’ or ‘You can’t win at this stadium’ or ‘You’re not capable of that,’ or ‘You haven’t done it in the last six trips or whatever,’ ’’ Bird said. “No one likes that, and everybody would like to be able to remove that label from their team. So I am sure they’re going to be thinking the same thing.’’
Oklahoma is actually 1-4 this season outside of Norman with losses at two neutral sites, as well as at Miami (Fla.) and Nebraska. Thanks to that, OU will finish with at least four losses for the first time since 2005.
So cornerback Dominique Franks says the Sooners’ desire to do better on the road isn’t just a Lubbock issue.
“We haven’t played too well in the past in Lubbock,’’ Franks said. “We know this year also, we haven’t played too good on the road. We want to make sure we go out there and give them our best shot on Saturday.’’
Tech beat OU in 2005 on a controversial last-play touchdown by running back Taurean Henderson, who took a hand-off up the middle and landed at the goal line. Or just short of the goal line, the Sooners and their fans thought.
Two years later, Tech prevailed 34-27, knocking OU out of the running for the national-championship game. Notably, Sooners quarterback Sam Bradford was knocked out of the game with a concussion on the first series.
So the Sooners have plenty for which to make amends.
“We can’t dwell on what happened in the past and make it about the past,’’ Franks said. “We’ve just got to out there and do what we need to do to win and play to the best of our abilities.’’
Staff writer Adam Zuvanich contributed to this report.
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735
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Both teams have a lot riding on this game. The winner will have a big lift going into their final week. The loser will be facing one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
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Rush the passer Landry Jones.
He can’t handle a pass rush.
If no one is in his face he will complete every pass.
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We need to go out on a high note and win Saturday in Lubbock Tx. This is the last game I will see since my son Cheerleader Justin Bradley will be graduating with his Masters in the Spring in Exercise Sports Science. It has been a great ride and we have enjoyed many years watching Texas Tech Football. Before Justin became a Cheerleader he was a walk on twice for Texas Tech Football. We have loved every minute of it. Guns Up Red Raiders.
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Advantage OU with sleepy 11 a.m crowd of just 50,000. Cannot believe more Tech fans aren’t excited about trying to pay back arrogant Sooners for last year’s prime-time embarrassment? Were we a little spoiled by 2008 season?
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this game will mean the difference of a decent bowl game or a toliet bowl game. they need to blow ou out this week and blow baylor out next week. then we can salvage this season.
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Too erratic to predict the winner or score.
Depends on whether the Tech smooth-flowing offense shows up or we get stuck with the stand-around one again.
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I want to optimistic. However, I think Leach said it well when he spoke about putting mirrors in lockers so some of the players who think they are stars can preen.
What we need is players not standing around. I don’t want to see high fives, dancing around, laughing or joking. Get out there and play some serious smash mouth football. Coaches “COACH” for a change, especially on defense. I paid a lot more for season seats this year. Help me feel it was worth while.
Texas Tech Alum
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pejay66; DITTO!
Right now if feel suckered.
Wreck’Em Tech!
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Here we go again. Just heard that Leach is going to Louisville. If this is just the media, go read a book. But if this is Leach, call me, I’ll help you pack. Don’t get me wrong. I love what Tech has done under Leach but every year you hear he’s going somewhere.
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I was at OSU and was sickened to see the team jumping and dancing to a song while they were behind. They should conserve that energy and focus it on the opponent. It was the most inconsistent I have seen at Tech since Leach came here. The only thing good about the game was tailgating with the friendly OSU fans!
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Tech has PLENTY to make amends! I’d like to see a 60-10 donkey stomping of those cheaters!
Go Tech! Wreck’em!!
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