Sooners Spring Game Recap

With a scoring system that allowed the defense points for stops on third and fourth down as well as points for turnovers the OU defense beat the offense 41-30 in the Oklahoma’s annual spring game.

Sophomore quarterback Rhett Bomar had a solid performance did as the Sooner receivers. Bomar completed 11 of 22 passes for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Former quarterback turned receiver Paul Thompson led all receivers with four catches for 82 yards but equally impressive was sophomore receiver Juaquin Iglesias who had two catches for 52 yards including a 43 yard score.

Junior running back Adrian Peterson was a non-factor running the ball because of the non-contact jersey but had three receptions for 31 yards.

The offensive line had a very solid outing answering many questions and proving the progress of the unit from last spring where they were dominated by the defense. The 06 offensive line will also have depth as several of the linemen who played Saturday were back-ups playing as a result to injuries to the starters.

Several stars were shining on defensive side of the ball Saturday. The defensive line is more than solid and so are the linebackers. The biggest question for the defense coming into the spring was the secondary. Gone is last year’s young and inexperienced secondary. In their place is a more experienced and seasoned group. The move of Reggie Smith from safety to corner was a great move as Smith broke up three passes, made four tackles and had one interception. The experiment with moving Lendy Holmes from receiver to cornerback is paying off. Holmes’ big play on Saturday came he picked up a fumble and ran it 46 yards for a score.

Comments from Head Coach Bob Stoops

Overall opinion on the scrimmage…
“I liked (the scrimmage),” Stoops said. “I was pleased. Up until late, we handled the ball in a good way and the offensive line held together.

On the performance of the defense…
“The defense had very good structure and discipline. They understand what they need to do.”

On the secondary and linebackers…
“Our secondary and linebackers showed very good recognition. We have a chance to be really good there, Stoops said.”

On the advantage of the defense…
“Our offense is at a disadvantage in these situations because the defense sees them every day and recognizes things before they happen.”

On the offensive line…
“I feel like we’re making good improvement up there,” Stoops said. “The good thing is that those guys are out there everyday. They’re getting a ton of snaps and that will make them better.”

Spring Game Stats

Scoring plays
Iglesias 43-yard pass from Bomar (Hartley kick)
Hartley 43-yard field goal
Hartley 43-yard field goal
Holmes 46-yard fumble return (Hartley kick)

Rushing
Patrick: 11-29
Peterson: 5-2
Gove: 5-7
Bomar: 0 (-10 on sacks)
Halzle: 1-4 (-17 on sacks)

Passing
Bomar: 11-22-173, 1 TD, 1 INT
Halzle: 8-21-69, 3 INT
McEachern: 0-2-0

Receiving
Thompson: 4-82
Peterson: 3-31
Patrick: 3-11
Iglesias: 2-52 (TD)
Strong: 2-27
Johnson: 1-16
Hardison: 1-10
Kelly: 1-9
Chaney: 1-6
Gove: 1-(-2)

Defensive Stats
Smith: 4 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 INT (20 yards)
D. Pleasant: 4 tackles, 1 sack (-6 yards), 1 INT
Lofton: 4 tackles, 1 FF
L. Robinson: 3 tackles
Clayton: 3 tackles
J. Carter: 3 tackles, 1 PBU
Davis: 3 tackles, 1 sack (-8 yards)
Reynolds: 2 tackles
Baker: 2 tackles, 1 for loss (-1), 2 PBU
Wolfe: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
Bowers: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
A. English: 2 tackles
Blackard: 2 tackles, 1 for loss (-5)
Moore: 2 tackles
Dotson: 2 tackles, 1 sack (-4 yards)
Granger: 2 tackles
Bennett: 2 tackles, 1 sack (-5 yards)
Ah You: 2 tackles, 2 sacks (-19 yards)
Holmes: 1 tackle, 1 FR (46-yard touchdown return)
Q. Carter: 1 tackle D. Williams: 1 tackle, 1 PBU
I. Pleasant: 1 tackle
Coleman: 1 tackle
Harris: 2 INT (53 yards)
Huggins: 1 FR

Punts
Knall: 8-299 (37.4)

Punt Returns
Smith: 6-10 (1.6)

Field Goals
Hartley: 2-3 (2-43 yd, blocked 56 yd)

Extra Points
Hartley: 2-2

Kick Returns
Smith: 1-12
Patrick: 1-24