Bob Stoops: OU Defense 'Still a Work in Progress'

The Sooners used their bye week to fix their defensive problems.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:59 am

By: News On 6

Bob Stoops: OU Defense 'Still a Work in Progress'

Originally Published: Oct 12, 2010 4:43 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma – While the Oklahoma Sooners are undefeated despite playing through a difficult schedule to start the season, they are more focused on where they can improve.

The Sooners’ most glaring issue has been their fourth-quarter defense. They have been outscored 65-27 in the final frame and have given up at least 10 points in the fourth quarter of every game this season.

“I talked about that a lot earlier in the season, that we're still a work in progress,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “Better teams, the teams that go on to win championships improve as the season goes on. That's really our challenge, to make sure that we're coming out this week improving and playing better.”

OU’s fourth-quarter struggles have resulted in four close calls, against Utah State, Air Force, Cincinnati and mostly recently Texas. The Sooners had a bye this past week and spent their time focusing on keeping their energy level high through 60 full minutes.

"We used [the bye week] to work on our technique and on being together as a team, finishing games and just working harder in practice," freshman cornerback Aaron Colvin said.

Colvin is part of a secondary that struggled against Utah State thanks to quarterback Deondre Borel’s ability to scramble outside of the pocket and buy time. That forced the cornerbacks to hold their coverage for longer; something they were largely unable to do.

OU will face Iowa State Saturday, and quarterback Austen Arnaud will present many of the same challenges. He is athletic and has a big arm, and the Sooners’ coaching staff has stressed that they cannot overlook Arnaud or the Cyclones.

“We're very aware of how capable and good this team can be,” Stoops said. “I think they have an excellent quarterback and some good, skilled guys around him.”

Stoops added that there has been other evidence in recent weeks that any team can be beaten on any week. He personally contacted South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier after the Gamecocks knocked Alabama out of the nation’s No. 1 spot Saturday.

“I think so much of the time, people want to say that certain teams can't be beat. When you're the one that's in it, you know that isn't true,” Stoops said. “There are other good football teams with guys that are on scholarship that go to practice every day, and quality coaches that when you get them at the right time are very capable of beating you.”

Iowa State suffered a blowout loss to Utah Saturday, but the previous week scored 52 points against Texas Tech. Stoops said that is all his team needed to see to realize how dangerous the Cyclones can be.

“Last week's game was not indicative of how they've played the last couple of years,” Stoops said. “Just a week before, they had an excellent win over Texas Tech at home ? That gets their attention.”