Vitals: Oklahoma at Cincinnati

Everything you need to know about OU's first road trip of the season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:57 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 22, 2010 6:16 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners at Cincinnati Bearcats
Saturday, Sept. 25, 5:00 p.m. CST
Nippert Stadium; Cincinnati, Ohio

Statistical leaders:

	Oklahoma	Cincinnati
Passing	Landry Jones 73/118, 851 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs	Zach Collaros 54/89, 659 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs
Rushing	DeMarco Murray 77 carries, 369 yards, 6 TDs	Darrin Williams 20 carries, 144 yards, 0 TDs
Receiving	Ryan Broyles 31 receptions, 381 yards, 3 TDs	D.J. Woods 17 receptions, 264 yards, 3 TDs

Injury Report:
Cincinnati: DB Drew Frey (head, doubtful); DL Rob Trigg (knee, doubtful); TE Ben Guidugli (leg, doubtful); LB Alex Delisi (knee, out indefinitely); TE Travis Kelce (suspension, out for season); WR Videl Hazelton (leg, out for season)

Oklahoma: RB Roy Finch (ankle, doubtful); RB Brennan Clay (concussion, doubtful); LB Austin Box (back, out)

Where to find it?

On TV: ESPN2

On Radio: Sooners Sports Network

What you need to know?

The Sooners escaped with a 27-24 win over Air Force last week in their second close call of the season. The defense struggled to stop the Falcons’ option attack and gave up the most rushing yards in Bob Stoops’ 12-year tenure as head coach.

Luckily for the Sooners, they will be back to playing against a traditional offense Saturday. But they will also be making their first road trip of the season, which will be a challenge for OU’s predominantly young roster. This contest also marks the prototypical “trap game:” on the road against an inferior team one week before facing Texas in the annual Red River Rivalry.

Who to watch?

Much like they did against Utah State, the Sooners may choose to limit their offensive playbook in preparation for Texas. If that is the case, OU will rely heavily on DeMarco Murray and the running game. Murray already has two games of more than 20 carries and 100 yards and has proven to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield as well. Expect Mossis Madu to see increased action as well.

Bob Stoops referred to the defense as “a work in progress” Tuesday, but it will need to shed that title before heading to Dallas to face Texas. The defensive backs continue to be one of the team’s most inconsistent units, and Saturday will mark the first road starts for Jonathan Nelson, Demontre Hurst and Jamell Fleming. All three still have a lot to prove and it’s important they do so before conference play begins.