8timechamps
10/23/2012, 07:17 PM
Thought I would pass along some notes from practice:
* FB Trey Millard said he's looking forward to locking helmets that first time with Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o. "This game is going to be a 15-round prizefight... But you definitely want to win that first round."
* The consensus among the Sooners is that this will be the best defensive front they have faced this season, though that probably goes without saying. "Pretty special group," said OL coach James Patton, before reeling off several Irish jersey numbers. "The biggest, the strongest line we've seen," said LT Lane Johnson. "Going to test our running ability. But it's a challenge we're ready for." Obviously whether the Sooners can run the ball will be a huge key in this game.
* Patton praised the resiliency of his offensive line, which is playing the best football for an OU line since 2008. "They want to fight," Patton said. Even though the Sooners are short on numbers up front, that didn't deter them from going full go on Tuesday. "They know they need to get ready," Patton said.
* Former OU great Brian Bosworth was at Tuesday's practice. Kenny Stills referred to him as "Mr. Bosworth."
* Beginning to hear rumblings about who that guest picker will be on GameDay. Don't think it will be a huge surprise, or someone outside the box.
***Interior offensive line coach James Patton said it’s not difficult trying to manage getting the Sooners offensive front ready for a physical team like Notre Dame and making sure Gabe Ikard, Bronson Irwin and Adam Shead remain healthy along an offensive line ravaged by injuries.
“We’ll practice the way we practice, we just went good-on-good and got after each other,” he said. “Our guys know what’s at stake.”
It’s critical for the Sooners to keep the rest of their interior line healthy after losing Ben Habern, Tyler Evans and Nila Kasitati from one of the deepest groups on the roster in July.
***Kenny Stills has taken a leadership role among the Sooners receivers and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure Trey Metoyer remains engaged as his role has diminished.
“He understands what is going on, his spirits haven’t gone down at all,” Stills said. “He knows he’s young. He has a long way to go and a lot to learn but he’s still very focused at practice and trying to do everything he can to get back on the field.”
After starting OU's first five games, Metoyer saw limited action against Kansas as Stills moved to the outside and Jalen Saunders played in the slot.
***Stills feels good about his move to outside receiver when Jalen Saunders is in the slot. His 44-yard touchdown reception against Kansas was shades of his first two seasons in Norman.
“I feel pretty comfortable everywhere now,” Stills said. “I love being outside, I felt like I was a outside receiver but I learned to get comfortable inside real quick because I had to.”
OU can take better advantage of Stills' skills when he's on the outside as more one-on-one situations present themselves on the perimeter. Saunders' playmaking ability and experience have made the coaches more comfortable moving Stills outside and gets what they feel is their best skill players on the field.
* FB Trey Millard said he's looking forward to locking helmets that first time with Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o. "This game is going to be a 15-round prizefight... But you definitely want to win that first round."
* The consensus among the Sooners is that this will be the best defensive front they have faced this season, though that probably goes without saying. "Pretty special group," said OL coach James Patton, before reeling off several Irish jersey numbers. "The biggest, the strongest line we've seen," said LT Lane Johnson. "Going to test our running ability. But it's a challenge we're ready for." Obviously whether the Sooners can run the ball will be a huge key in this game.
* Patton praised the resiliency of his offensive line, which is playing the best football for an OU line since 2008. "They want to fight," Patton said. Even though the Sooners are short on numbers up front, that didn't deter them from going full go on Tuesday. "They know they need to get ready," Patton said.
* Former OU great Brian Bosworth was at Tuesday's practice. Kenny Stills referred to him as "Mr. Bosworth."
* Beginning to hear rumblings about who that guest picker will be on GameDay. Don't think it will be a huge surprise, or someone outside the box.
***Interior offensive line coach James Patton said it’s not difficult trying to manage getting the Sooners offensive front ready for a physical team like Notre Dame and making sure Gabe Ikard, Bronson Irwin and Adam Shead remain healthy along an offensive line ravaged by injuries.
“We’ll practice the way we practice, we just went good-on-good and got after each other,” he said. “Our guys know what’s at stake.”
It’s critical for the Sooners to keep the rest of their interior line healthy after losing Ben Habern, Tyler Evans and Nila Kasitati from one of the deepest groups on the roster in July.
***Kenny Stills has taken a leadership role among the Sooners receivers and he’s taken it upon himself to make sure Trey Metoyer remains engaged as his role has diminished.
“He understands what is going on, his spirits haven’t gone down at all,” Stills said. “He knows he’s young. He has a long way to go and a lot to learn but he’s still very focused at practice and trying to do everything he can to get back on the field.”
After starting OU's first five games, Metoyer saw limited action against Kansas as Stills moved to the outside and Jalen Saunders played in the slot.
***Stills feels good about his move to outside receiver when Jalen Saunders is in the slot. His 44-yard touchdown reception against Kansas was shades of his first two seasons in Norman.
“I feel pretty comfortable everywhere now,” Stills said. “I love being outside, I felt like I was a outside receiver but I learned to get comfortable inside real quick because I had to.”
OU can take better advantage of Stills' skills when he's on the outside as more one-on-one situations present themselves on the perimeter. Saunders' playmaking ability and experience have made the coaches more comfortable moving Stills outside and gets what they feel is their best skill players on the field.