Good national media write-up

[The Maestro]

Although some of the key issues were missed, namely our recovery of the onside kick and the fourth down play where Texas Tech was spotted for a first down.

http://cfn.scout.com/2/557921.html

Other than that, I am glad he is outraged that the national media is not making more of this and that the bad calls at Oregon were anything but controversial, they were robbery.

[GDC]

Notebook: Thompson impressive
By GUERIN EMIG World sports writer
9/18/2006

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Lost in the Oklahoma-Oregon postgame madness was the fact that Paul Thompson seemed to hold up well in his first road game as Sooner quarterback.

"Yes, he was very good," OU coach Bob Stoops confirmed Sunday. "All his throws didn't have anything that was even close to being intercepted. He . . . made a great play under pressure throwing down to Juaquin Iglesias down to the (Oregon) goal line."

Make your point: Allen Patrick did not make a big scene after coming up with Oregon's onside kick Saturday. In fact, replays showed he looped away from the officials who ran toward the pile of players.

Ironic, since Stoops admonished Patrick for showboating while playing tailback last year.

"I wish he'd have gotten right out of the pile and shown (the ball) to them immediately," Stoops said Sunday. "That doesn't mean you have to showboat and extend your arm and run a hundred yards with the football."

Cooper injured: OU center Jon Cooper injured his ankle midway through Saturday's fourth quarter, allowing Jenks true freshman Chase Beeler to finish the game.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said it was Cooper's left ankle, not the one that was broken in the Texas Tech game last November. Wilson

thought Cooper might be rested Saturday against Middle Tennessee.

It's a start: It took nearly 2 games, but OU's defensive line finally recorded a sack Saturday. Defensive end Larry Birdine sped around Oregon left tackle Max Unger and blindsided Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon with less than two minutes remaining in the first half.

The hit forced a fumble, which Unger recovered.

Linebacker Rufus Alexander had recorded the Sooners' only sack this season against UAB.

So is this: It took more than two games, but OU finally intercepted a pass Saturday. Nickel safety Nic Harris picked off Dixon with 12 minutes left in the game, on a pass first deflected by linebacker Zach Latimer.

Harris, who came into the game with no career interceptions, picked Dixon again six minutes later. That helped the Sooners to a plus-3 turnover ratio on the day, a welcome sign for a team that came into the game minus-4 on the year.,

[GDC]

OU coach dejected after seeing replays
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
9/18/2006

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A Pac-10 official will review the tapes and then take action.
A day later, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops still didn't have any definitive answers. But the Pac-10 Conference might.

As version after version and angle after angle of video of the most crucial play in Oregon's 34-33 win Saturday over the Sooners circulated on the Internet and on local broadcasts, it became more and more clear -- painfully so for Stoops and the Sooners -- that crippling errors were made on the part of the officiating crew and the video replay crew.

Trailing by six points with 1:12 to play, Oregon attempted an onside kick. Video shows OU's Allen Patrick recovered the kick, but after the game's replay official looked at ABC's video feeds of the play, referee David Cutaia announced that Oregon would be awarded possession of the football. No Oregon player ever possessed the football, even though two whistles were blown as the ball bounced around on the turf.

"How they could explain that," Stoops said on his Sunday press conference call, "I don't know."

The Ducks took the lead with a touchdown two plays later and then blocked an OU field goal on the final play to escape.

Stoops said the explanation he got from Cutaia was the same that

59,269 fans at Autzen Stadium and the national television audience got, that an Oklahoma player touched the football. But Cutaia never confirmed to Stoops or anyone else that an Oregon player possessed the football. Many argue that video also shows Oregon's Brian Paysinger actually touched the ball before it went the required 10 yards.

The Sooners (2-1) dropped two spots to 17th in this week's Associated Press Top 25. Oregon (3-0) climbed five spots to 13th.

Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said Sunday in a statement, "There should be no mistaking our very serious concerns about the events that transpired and the energy we will exert in voicing those concerns."

Jim Muldoon, Pac-10 associate commissioner of communications and football administration, said Sunday, "We are reviewing it right now and we may have a statement tomorrow.

"Our coordinator of officials (Verle Sorgen) will review the tapes and, if he deems necessary -- which I suspect he will -- he will then talk to the parties involved, the replay officials," Muldoon said. "He reviews the tapes of every game, yes, and gets a report of every game, yes. But we'll be expediting this one just because of the somewhat controversial nature of the finish."

Muldoon said the Pac-10 has taken action for officiating mistakes previously. It may be nothing more than a public reprimand or, more unlikely, a formal apology to Oklahoma or the Big 12 Conference.

"I know different leagues do this differently," Muldoon said. "But we are not reticent about admitting if we make a mistake."

Big 12 associate commissioner of communications Bob Burda said Sunday "the result will stand. I don't believe there's any protocol in place to overturn the result of a game, regardless of what the review process may uncover."

A prime example was the 1990 "Fifth Down Game" between Colorado and Missouri, when Colorado was inadvertently awarded an extra down after failing on a fourth-and-goal situation.

The Buffaloes scored on the next play, then went on to win a share of the national championship.

Each conference has different methods for handling replay. Neither the Pac-10 nor the Big 12 identify the person responsible for overseeing the television replay process, and Burda said he didn't know exactly why the Big 12 didn't. The rest of the officiating crew is identified by name in each official game summary submitted to the NCAA and given to the press.

"As replay continues to evolve," Burda said, "the personnel involved will be looked on more and more as part of the on-field officiating crew."

The Big 12 last year budgeted between $650,000 and $700,000 for expenses related to replay, and Sooner fans are still bitter that two questionable calls in the closing moments of last year's game at Big 12 Conference game at Texas Tech were reviewed and not overturned. After Saturday, some may question whether the investment has been worth it.

Stoops, for one, said he hoped Saturday's meltdown didn't signal the beginning of the end of the instant replay process in college football.

"I would hope not," he said. "Because even though they acted as they did, at least the whole country and everybody sees what was, and what really happened."

Stoops was visibly dejected as he left Autzen Stadium on Saturday, believing that Patrick had recovered the ball from a pileup of players. But when Stoops saw conclusive video evidence Saturday night that Patrick had instead fallen on a loose football away from the pile, he felt even worse.

"I had not known what I know now," he said. And how did he feel now? "Well, incredibly disappointed in that the instant replay was brought up to eliminate issues like this," Stoops said. "Here, there are a number of issues that are clearly, looking at video, wrong."

Said Burda, "All along, replay was not intended as a cure-all. It was an enhancement to the onfield officiating. As long as you have humans involved, there's going to be a human element."

Castiglione said he has "taken immediate steps . . . in officially requesting a comprehensive review of specific officiating decisions and use of instant replay," but said, "we fully understand the outcome of the game is irreversible, regardless of the decisions made in regards to the grievance."

Said Stoops, "In the end, it isn't going to change anything. In the end, I've got to look at a bunch of kids that fought hard and have a loss right now."



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John E. Hoover 581-8384
[email protected].

[GDC]

Commentary: OU's poor play not fault of ref
By RALPH D. RUSSO Associated Press
9/18/2006

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There is outrage in Oklahoma and Louisiana.

Fans of OU and LSU feel cheated, robbed, victimized even -- all over a few disputed calls that went against their beloved Sooners and Tigers on Saturday.

A little advice to those anguished souls: Get over it. Refs don't lose games, teams do, and your teams blew it.

The Sooners took it on the chin twice from the officials at the end of their 34-33 loss to Oregon.

Trailing by six with a little more than a minute left, the Ducks recovered an onside kick. At least that's what the officials ruled.

It certainly looked like Oregon touched the ball before it went 10 yards, which by rule would have given it to Oklahoma. It also appeared that the Ducks interfered with the Sooners trying to field that bouncing kick within the first 10 yards, which is also against the rules.

The officials also appeared to be too quick to award the ball to the Ducks when a Sooner emerged with the ball.

Bad job by the officials, and it got worse when the Sooners were flagged for pass interference moments later on a ball that might have been tipped at the line. Even if the pass wasn't tipped, the call was questionable.

Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen said the

league will review both plays.

After those two calls, Dennis Dixon found Brian Paysinger wide open behind the secondary with 46 seconds left to give Oregon the lead. Oklahoma had one last chance and Garrett Hartley's 44-yard field goal was blocked.

Highway robbery!

Really?

On three occasions, the Sooners drove inside the Oregon 10 and settled for field goals. The Ducks piled up 501 yards against an Oklahoma defense that was supposed to be one of the best in the country but is now ranked last in the Big 12.

How about this, Oklahoma? Punch in couple of those red-zone opportunities or cover someone every now and then instead.

As for LSU, the Tigers trailed Auburn 7-3 late in the fourth quarter of yet another intense struggle between the Southeastern Conference heavyweights.

Facing fourth-and-8 from Auburn's 31, LSU's JaMarcus Russell threw down the middle to Early Doucet near the goal line. Zach Gilbert grabbed Doucet and drew a flag that would have given LSU a first down inside the 20. But before the ball reached Doucet, it was batted away by a diving Auburn safety Eric Brock.

Because the ball was tipped, the officials picked up the flag. But here's the catch: "You can have pass interference before the ball is tipped," said John Soffey, the Big East coordinator of officials, on Sunday. Soffey didn't see the Auburn-LSU play and wasn't commenting on it specifically, just the rule.

On the replay, it appeared the contact came before the tip.

So LSU moved on. The Tigers got the ball back, drove into Auburn territory and came up a few yards short when Brock stopped Craig Davis at the 4 on Russell's last-play pass. That was the fifth time LSU drove into Auburn territory and came away with nothing.

Bad call. Tough break. But LSU lost because in terrific defensive struggle, Auburn's D was a little better..

[GDC]

OU Three questions
By JOHN E. HOOVER World sports writer
9/18/2006

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1. What's the best thing that can happen to OU regarding the botched video replays?

They can do what they did last year when virtually the same thing happened in Lubbock, Texas. They got mad, forgot it, moved on and plowed Oklahoma State. There will be no forfeits, no reparations, no corrections and probably not even something as strong as an apology. Taking care of business against Middle Tennessee State is their only recourse.

2. Is there any hope for this Oklahoma defense?

Not if they don't get markedly better, and immediately. Middle Tennessee State isn't good enough to beat the Sooners, but the Blue Raiders have a good quarterback and a good running back who can add further pain to the OU defense's problems.

3. Why did the Oklahoma offense make so many mental mistakes?

Coach Bob Stoops said Sunday a handful of play calls from offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson didn't match up with the mini-playbook QB Paul Thompson wore on his wrist. That forced confusion and burned timeouts. The offensive line, however, needs to concentrate better. Coaches deny it, but that probably can be attributed to crowd noise./

[GDC]

Sooners can't dwell on past
By Staff Reports
9/18/2006

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After returning from Oregon, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops sat up all night.

"I was wondering what we could've done different," said Stoops on Sunday.

There isn't much Stoops, his assistants or players can do about a loss that should have gone the other way if not for some officiating mistakes.

It was the second time in its last two road games (last year at Texas Tech) that Oklahoma was apparently cost a game by officiating mistakes. But, just like last year, there's nothing OU can do about it now. It is over. It is a loss.

So, for the Sooners, it has to be full speed ahead as the Big 12 season, especially the annual showdown with Texas, heads straight toward them.

Oklahoma's 34-33 loss at Oregon is a bitter pill to swallow, but the Sooners need to put it in the past and start looking ahead this week when Middle Tennessee comes to Norman. Texas follows on Oct. 7 after an off week. While OU has a virtual bye this week, there's no time to sulk.

Even with the officiating mistakes, Oklahoma easily could have won this game had it been more consistent.

The defense continues to give up big plays. Oregon did what it wanted early and late against OU's defenders. Those defensive lapses might be the biggest

concern after three games into the season.

This is a defense that was expected to dominate teams this fall. Instead, Alabama-Birmingham, Washington and Oregon haven't had much trouble moving the ball.

"(The defense is) not playing like we did at the end of last year," said Stoops. "What we're missing is just some fundamentals."

Actually, OU's defenders played better against the Ducks for most of the game than they had all year. But the Sooners were sloppy at the start and in the final three minutes.

"We just have some fundamental technique issues," said Stoops. "Except for the first three or four minutes and the last three minutes, there was a great period of time when the defense played quite well.

"We just had some breakdowns in our base play. We're just too inconsistent. We have to be more consistent."

Once again, OU relied heavily on Adrian Peterson to carry the offense and he did, going over the 200-yard mark.

The Ducks, like everyone else, had a difficult time stopping Peterson when the game was on the line (in the fourth quarter).

"We are aware of our deficiencies," said Stoops. "It wouldn't be correct to not acknowledge a lot of good we did, too."



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Online: Read John Klein's blog at www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra..

[GDC]

Castiglione issues statement on Oregon loss
By Staff Reports
9/18/2006

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NORMAN -- After the University of Oklahoma football team's 34-33 loss to the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, OU director of athletics Joe Castiglione issued the following statement Sunday:

"The University of Oklahoma has taken immediate steps to follow Big 12 Conference procedures in officially requesting a comprehensive review of specific officiating decisions and use of instant replay during Saturday's football game against the University of Oregon. The game officials were assigned by the Pac-10 Conference and we believe this situation will be properly handled and analyzed by the Pac-10 and then communicated back through our Conference office.

"There should be no mistaking our very serious concerns about the events that transpired and the energy we will exert in voicing those concerns.

"At the same time we need to make clear several other points. First of all, this action should not take any focus away from the extraordinary effort displayed by the student-athletes of both the University of Oklahoma and the University of Oregon. It was a very exciting game and both coaching staffs had their players well prepared.

"Secondly, we fully understand the outcome of the game is irreversible, regardless of the decisions made in regards to the grievance.

Therefore, we are moving on in preparation for our upcoming game. We congratulate the Oregon Ducks on their victory in this hard-fought contest.".

[GrapevineSooner]

I love it when lazy journalists refuse to hold officials to the same standard as players and coaches.

Or should we just expect them all to suck and not care?

Look, our defense played bad. Bad officiating doesn't excuse bad play. But neither does bad play excuse bad officiating.

[sooneron]

Coach Bob Stoops said Sunday a handful of play calls from offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson didn't match up with the mini-playbook QB Paul Thompson wore on his wrist. That forced confusion and burned timeouts. The offensive line, however, needs to concentrate better. Coaches deny it, but that probably can be attributed to crowd noise.

WTF!!?!?!?!?!:confused:

That is horrendous. I'm sorry, we have too much talent on this team to have to put up with this crap. This staff needs to get their **** correct and fast!

[stoopified]

I haven't lost faith but my patience is being tested.