Sooners Striving for Consistency against Florida State

After a shaky season opener, Bob Stoops and his Oklahoma Sooners are looking to clean up their game and play consistently all four quarters.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:56 am

By: News On 6

Sooners Striving for Consistency against Florida State

Originally Published: Sep 7, 2010 2:2 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma Sooners fans were breathing a sigh of relief Saturday, after the Sooners’ squeezed by Utah State, 31-24, but the coaching staff saw more than a few breakdowns throughout the game.

As the team looks forward to its matchup against Florida State, head coach Bob Stoops said they’re preparing for a cleaner, steadier game.

“Overall, we were inconsistent,” Stoops said. “It doesn’t take but a few breakdowns to have a poor day.”

The Sooners’ head coach will look across the field Saturday, Sept. 11, and see his brother, Mark Stoops, the defensive coordinator for the Florida State Seminoles. Mark Stoops took the position last year, and will be serving under head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Fisher took the head coach position after spending four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. FSU’s new head coach knows stepping into the shoes of former Seminole legend Bobby Bowden and facing the Sooners will be no easy task.

“It is going to be a very stiff challenge,” Fisher said. “I think it will be a great test to our ability to prepare and go out there to handle a lot of adversity with a hostile crowd and all those situations while going against all the great coaching and players Oklahoma has.”

Bob Stoops has lost only two times in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, but he will not be concerned with his record on Saturday. Instead, he’ll be focused on getting that second win of the season.

“It doesn’t matter,” Stoops said. “You got to play this week, right? It doesn’t mean a thing.”

Stoops, who admitted holding some offensive plays in the Sooners’ season opener, said he’ll likely utilize his receivers more. He’ll also use DeMarco Murray more in the passing game. Murray carried the ball a career-high 35 times in the season opener and gained 218 yards, but did not record any receptions.

“Opportunities with him to run the ball and catch the ball, we’ll need to get the ball in his hands,” Stoops said. “He’s a guy that can make some things happen.”

Overall, Stoops will be priming his team for a more consistent game, both offensively and defensively. With the Seminoles in town, it will be an opportunity for both teams to gauge where they’re at early on in the season.