Sooners Prepare for Another Road Test

OU has struggled of late on the road, particularly on offense.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:01 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 2, 2010 4:42 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Sooners have been dominant in Norman for years, but have had significantly more trouble on the road.

The Sooners have not lost a game in Norman since the season opener of 2005, having since won 35 consecutive home games. In the five years since its last home loss, OU has gone just 16-14 on the road.

Over the last two seasons, the Sooners have averaged 43 points when playing at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. In that same span, OU has averaged just 20 points anywhere else. They have scored 40 or more points in seven of their last 11 home games, but have not accomplished the feat at all in the last two years on the road.

“In my opinion, we play so well at home and then we start thinking we’re pretty good,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. “Now our sense of urgency, our preparation and our ability to be on edge isn’t quite as intense when we take it to the road. All of a sudden we’ve gotten a little fat and happy and think we’ve figured it out.”

Players and coaches both acknowledged that winning on the road requires greater mental focus and preparation. While the problem is easily identified, it is much more difficult to fix.

"We just have to realize that all fields are 120 yards,” safety Jonathan Nelson said. “A field is a field and we shouldn't have to worry about a crowd or the other team.”

OU’s only loss this season came in a hostile environment against Missouri during the Tigers’ homecoming week. The Sooners will face another challenge this Saturday when they travel to Kyle Field to face Texas A&M.

"I heard the atmosphere down there is crazy and intense, but that's what we live to play in and we're just going to go down there and try to get a win,” true freshman Trey Millard said. “It's never really been that difficult for me to block out the crowd. You just have to focus on what you're doing, focus on your plays and focus on the other team and what they're doing and what your responsibility is.”

The Sooners will need to solve their issues on the road, as they finish the season with three of their final four games away from Norman.

“I don't know how that worked out or how that happened, but in the end that's just how it is so we might as well embrace it and go get them,” head coach Bob Stoops said.