OU Football: Big 12 Media Day Notebook

Bob Stoops and company had to answer some tough questions at Big 12 Media Days this year. Finishing 8-5 will do that to a coach in Norman, but Stoops’ squad has this reason for optimism: the same people asking the uncomfortable questions about 2014 are the ones that picked the Sooners to finish third in a deep Big 12 Conference. Here are some notes from Tuesday’s gathering.

-Stoops called last season a disappointment. “When you’re used to 12 of the previous 14 years we had 10 or more wins and then you go 8-5, it’s not up to our standards and expectations as a program for sure.”

-He mentioned the hiring of Lincoln Riley as Offensive Coordinator as the biggest change of the offseason and said he expects the offense to be better and more efficient.

-On Riley, “The transition was really pretty seamless. Our players have really taken to the new system.”

-On the offense: “I just felt that it will give us more opportunity, hopefully to stay on the field longer, eat up more yards, gain field position and score points. Lincoln's had a great track record in running this offense and I believe we've got good personnel to go with this style of offense.

-We're very aware of the quality of backs that we have and feel that we'll take advantage of that and that that will mesh really well with what Lincoln wants to do.”

-Stoops corrected anyone who thought Baker Mayfield was leading the race for the starting quarterback spot. “I know it's popular for everyone to act like a certain guy has already got the job.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  Trevor Knight and Baker Mayfield are in a tight battle, and Cody Thomas is right on their heels.”

-He said the competition would continue and that whoever proved most consistent and limit turnovers would earn the job. He also added later that Mayfield’s shoulder fatigue is healing fine.

-Stoops was asked why he hadn’t distanced himself from running back Joe Mixon, as other programs in similar situations have done lately. While he didn’t speak to the separation factor, Stoops reiterated that Mixon (and Frank Shannon) has been disciplined with significant penalties and that the players know the internal measures they have to meet.

-“We disciplined in a certain way depending on the circumstances we have, and these guys have had significant penalties.  They've had a lot of other internal measures to meet and to stand-- to right up to, and if all those were met, then they had the opportunity to redeem themselves and hopefully grow from their experience.”

-He singled out some guys that have improved on defense, specifically secondary players: Steven Parker, Jordan Thomas, Hatari Hyrd and Ahmad Thomas.

-The head coach praised his kicking specialists for their consistency. “Nick Hodgson went through the entire spring of 15 practices,  I think he missed three field goals the entire spring and we kicked every day.  And he has a huge leg, so I'm excited about the opportunity there.  Jack Steed is our punter, really showed good consistency through the spring, so I feel good about those guys.”

-“Samaje is going to get the football.” Stoops reassured that despite the change in style of offense, the Sooners would still feed No. 32 the ball. “If we're productive throwing the football, generally it's going to help you run the ball.  If you're good running the football, generally you're going to be able to throw it a little easier.  We just want to have a good balance to it.”