Smith's Success No Surprise For Stoops

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ It's not that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn't realize how good of a quarterback Paul Smith could be when he was setting state passing records. <br/><br/>But not every Oklahoma

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 6:33 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ It's not that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops didn't realize how good of a quarterback Paul Smith could be when he was setting state passing records.

But not every Oklahoma high school player can play for the Sooners, and Smith was one of the ones that slipped through the cracks. The former Deer Creek and Owasso quarterback instead ended up at Tulsa (2-0), and he'll face the No. 4 Sooners (3-0) this week for the second time.

Stoops said he was aware of Smith and considered him an ``excellent high school player,'' but the Sooners were comfortable with their situation at quarterback and opted not to recruit him.

``In the end, you do the best you can and I think it's fair to say we've not been lacking in talent,'' Stoops said.

While Smith signed with Tulsa in 2003, Oklahoma brought in Tommy Grady, who Rivals.com rated as the No. 3 quarterback in the nation after he'd won a state title in California and went through the Elite 11 quarterback camp. Grady has since transferred to Utah, where he took over as the starter following an injury to the Utes' top quarterback in the season opener.

Oklahoma State signed Donovan Woods, who'd been regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the state, along with two other quarterbacks in 2003. Woods now plays linebacker for the Cowboys.

Smith set Oklahoma's high school passing record by throwing for 9,574 yards in three years as a starter, and he ranks behind only T.J. Rubley on Tulsa's career passing list. He had a career-best 454 yards passing and five touchdowns in Tulsa's 55-47 win against Brigham Young last week, but Stoops had been impressed with him well before that.

Smith threw for 246 yards and ran for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Golden Hurricane's 31-15 loss in Norman in 2005. Tulsa was within 17-15 until Adrian Peterson scored on a 41-yard run on fourth-and-1 with just over 3 minutes left in the game.

``I think he's one of the toughest guys that we've played against here in the last few years. I said that to him after our game here a few years ago. I thought it was one of the toughest performances I've seen anybody play us over here,'' Stoops said.

``I've never seen a guy hit and knocked down so much without a flag and continue to compete well. He did a great job. I just think he's a heck of a competitor.''

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DEFENSE PLAYING OFFENSE: Give the defense some credit for helping the Sooners lead the nation in scoring.

Through three games, Oklahoma's defenders have provided a touchdown in each game and they've scored more touchdowns (3) than they've given up (2).

Nic Harris returned an interception for a touchdown in the season opener against North Texas, Reggie Smith scored on a fumble return against Miami and Curtis Lofton brought an interception back for a score against Utah State.

``We talk about bringing it into the end zone or giving the offense the ball in scoring position where you can at least get a field goal,'' Stoops said. ``It has been good that we've been able to do that.''

Oklahoma leads all Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-A) teams in two categories: scoring (61.3 points) and tackles for loss (11.3 per game) and ranks second in total defense (179.7 yards allowed per game). Only No. 2 Louisiana State has allowed less yards per game.

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TULSA TIME: Although Oklahoma was hesitant to schedule a men's basketball game at Tulsa for more than two decades after an upset loss there, Stoops said he considers having Tulsa on the football schedule to be a ``positive.''

``It is good for the state,'' Stoops said. ``I like the proximity. I felt even with North Texas, these type of games that are around you that the more locally, maybe a little more the attraction or good for the area.

``In the end, I think sure they're good. I think expense-wise they're good for both schools.''

After men's basketball coach Billy Tubbs vowed never to play in Tulsa again, Oklahoma didn't return for 20 years after an eighth-ranked Sooners team was upset 104-89 by an unranked Golden Hurricane squad coached by Nolan Richardson.

The Sooners hold a 14-7-1 edge in the all-time football series, including five wins in the eight games played at Tulsa.

The Golden Hurricane will play at Oklahoma in 2009 and 2011.

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QUICK HITS: In addition to a more experienced and mature team returning, Stoops said he believes the Sooners' decision to use more 11-on-11 scrimmages in training camp has helped the team get off to a fast start _ and they may do more of it in future years. ``I think it did sharpen us. I think we are so competitive all spring and all through our early camp until we get into the first game week,'' Stoops said. ``We're going good against good in everything we do.'' ... Stoops said Dominique Franks would get more chances to return punts because ``he has a real good knack for it'' and to give Reggie Smith a break after playing defense and returning kickoffs. ... Coaches recorded 18 knockdown blocks for tight end Brody Eldridge in only about 25 plays last week.