As per usual on Tuesday we spoke with members of the defensive unit. Below are SCOOPHD highlights from our meeting with Sooners defensive coordinator Mike Stoops.
SCOOPHD: Mike Stoops Post Practice 10/27
* Stoops said neither Jordan Evans or Devante Bond practiced on Tuesday ...
"We're just playing it by year. It's really day-to-day," Stoops said. "Those ankle sprains and a calf sprain those guys need a lot of lift, they need explosive speed and that's the last thing to come around with those injuries."
-- IMO, you don't let those guys come back and step on the field until the are 100% healthy, especially with the Jayhawks on the schedule this weekend.
* As a whole the general feeling you got on Tuesday: 'the group is playing well as a whole'
* It's hard to avoid the cliche phrase 'next man up', but when you look at guys like PL Lindley, Frank Shannon, Will Johnson and Dakota Austin that's exactly what they've done. Hell, you could even include Marquise Overton in there.
* Stoops once again praised the play of junior cornerback Dakota Austin. What a story it is for Austin who can be considered a vet around the Oklahoma program. Stoops referred to his play as fearless following the game on Saturday and did so again on Tuesday.
Everything changed for him on Saturday as he was thrown into the starting rotation following an injury to Zack Sanchez. Stoops told reporters on Tuesday night he expects Austin to start at Kansas on Saturday.
* Will Johnson continued to play well in the nickel role. Stoops confirmed his pleasure with Johnson again on Tuesday calling him 'one of the bigger pleasant surprises' of the season.
Johnson playing the nickel has allowed Steven Parker to move over to the high safety -- replacing Hatari Byrd.
Stoops raved of Parker's play, noting this play below as one of the better plays OU's had in awhile.
Obviously, the former Jenks star is turning into a special player.
Statistically, its been quite the turnaround for Oklahoma defensively. During the month of October, Oklahoma has forced 12 turnovers, including a D1 football best 10 interceptions -- SCOOPHD highlights them here.
* Over the season's first 3 games, OU was -4 in turnover margin. Over the last four contests (all Big 12 games), the Sooners are +7. This is usually number that is accompanied by wins.
* Oklahoma currently leads the conference in six different defensive categories:
- Total Defense: 320.8
- Pass Defense: 131.5
- Scoring Defense: 18.8
- Pass Efficiency Defense: 87.7
- Sacks/Game 4.8
- Interceptions/Game 2.5
* Charles Walker currently ranks No.2 on the team with four sacks this season, trailing team leader Eric Striker (6). 13 different players have recorded a sack for Oklahoma this season, while they lead the conference in sacks per game & No.3 nationally.
SCOOPHD: Mike Stoops Post Practice 10/27
* Stoops said neither Jordan Evans or Devante Bond practiced on Tuesday ...
"We're just playing it by year. It's really day-to-day," Stoops said. "Those ankle sprains and a calf sprain those guys need a lot of lift, they need explosive speed and that's the last thing to come around with those injuries."
-- IMO, you don't let those guys come back and step on the field until the are 100% healthy, especially with the Jayhawks on the schedule this weekend.
* As a whole the general feeling you got on Tuesday: 'the group is playing well as a whole'
* It's hard to avoid the cliche phrase 'next man up', but when you look at guys like PL Lindley, Frank Shannon, Will Johnson and Dakota Austin that's exactly what they've done. Hell, you could even include Marquise Overton in there.
* Stoops once again praised the play of junior cornerback Dakota Austin. What a story it is for Austin who can be considered a vet around the Oklahoma program. Stoops referred to his play as fearless following the game on Saturday and did so again on Tuesday.
Everything changed for him on Saturday as he was thrown into the starting rotation following an injury to Zack Sanchez. Stoops told reporters on Tuesday night he expects Austin to start at Kansas on Saturday.
* Will Johnson continued to play well in the nickel role. Stoops confirmed his pleasure with Johnson again on Tuesday calling him 'one of the bigger pleasant surprises' of the season.
Johnson playing the nickel has allowed Steven Parker to move over to the high safety -- replacing Hatari Byrd.
Stoops raved of Parker's play, noting this play below as one of the better plays OU's had in awhile.
Obviously, the former Jenks star is turning into a special player.
Statistically, its been quite the turnaround for Oklahoma defensively. During the month of October, Oklahoma has forced 12 turnovers, including a D1 football best 10 interceptions -- SCOOPHD highlights them here.
* Over the season's first 3 games, OU was -4 in turnover margin. Over the last four contests (all Big 12 games), the Sooners are +7. This is usually number that is accompanied by wins.
* Oklahoma currently leads the conference in six different defensive categories:
- Total Defense: 320.8
- Pass Defense: 131.5
- Scoring Defense: 18.8
- Pass Efficiency Defense: 87.7
- Sacks/Game 4.8
- Interceptions/Game 2.5
* Charles Walker currently ranks No.2 on the team with four sacks this season, trailing team leader Eric Striker (6). 13 different players have recorded a sack for Oklahoma this season, while they lead the conference in sacks per game & No.3 nationally.
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