Washington's QB poses familiar option threats
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
9/7/2006
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Isaiah Stanback is faster than UAB's Sam Hunt was last weekend.
NORMAN -- It's clear how the Oklahoma Sooners felt about their defensive debut against UAB last week.
"I get tired of what guys are supposed to be. They need to do it," coach Bob Stoops said after his Sooners allowed UAB 115 yards after missed tackles to help turn the game into a 24-17 near-upset. "There's some fundamental issues that we need to get corrected."
It's clear where this week's practice sessions were headed.
"Usually when they demand something, they get what they want," linebacker Lewis Baker said of OU's staff.
It's clear who paid the price.
"Now the scout team gets punished," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said of the poor freshmen and walk-ons imitating Washington all week. "It comes down to, 'OK, guys, we've assumed wrong, coming to balance and being in position and blowing a quick whistle and go to the next play. Now it's butt him up, tackle him, throw him to the ground. Let's see you finish the play.'
"Time after time after time across the board. There's been more of that."
What's unclear is how this will translate to Owen Field Saturday.
As Venables put it: "We don't
have Isaiah Stanback around here."
Stanback is the 6-3, 215-pound quarterback whose sprinter's speed and pitcher's arm forms the foundation of Washington's offense.
"Options, quarterback zone reads, quarterback run game," Venables said.
Sounds like what UAB ran to alarming success last week, only with a quarterback with average speed and average moves. Sam Hunt rushed for much of his 65 yards by simply leaning forward and not going down until enough Sooners finally finished the tackle.
"I'm sure (the Huskies) are licking their chops," OU co-defensive coordinator Bobby Jack Wright said. "I'm sure they're looking at (the option) saying, 'Oh boy.'
"And I'm looking at it and going, 'Oh my God.' Because this guy (Stanback), when he pulls it down, he's running a whole lot faster than that guy from UAB was."
What must the Sooners change between last Saturday and the coming one?
"We have to react quicker to our keys," defensive end Larry Birdine said. "We've been going to the drawing board, sharpening up our keys on the screens and the zone reads and the options."
In a sense, the Sooners must also be slower. They must be patient and avoid overrunning in their pursuit of Stanback or his option pitch men.
Mostly, though, they must rediscover the most fundamental defensive skill of all.
"It's all about positioning on the football, coming downhill and making sure you strike somebody," middle linebacker Zach Latimer said.
Having dealt with Vince Young the past three years, the Sooners are familiar with athletic marvels at quarterback.
They've seen a team construct an offense around that type of playmaker. And, aside from last year's Red River defeat, it hasn't hurt them much.
"The zone read didn't evolve the past weekend," Venables said. "We've played the schemes the same way, and been outstanding defending it over the years. It just takes guys with great discipline. It takes focus."
The Sooners had neither last week.
They plan on getting both back this week, and bringing them to Saturday's game.
"We know we can be a great defense," Baker said, " but we still have to prove it."
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Guerin Emig 581-8355
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