Oklahoma hopes to contain Iowa State QB

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma defense that struggled against a shifty quarterback two weeks ago gets another dose of shake and bake this week when Seneca Wallace leads Iowa State into town. <br><br>Wallace

Monday, October 14th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ An Oklahoma defense that struggled against a shifty quarterback two weeks ago gets another dose of shake and bake this week when Seneca Wallace leads Iowa State into town.

Wallace is third in the Big 12 in total offense, averaging 279 yards per game. His ability to run and throw is a major reason the No. 9 Cyclones (6-1, 3-0 Big 12) are off to their best start in 64 years and ranked in the top 10 for the first time.

``He's as good as there is out there,'' Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.

Stoops' brother, Mike, the co-defensive coordinator, said Wallace is ``without question'' the best all-around quarterback the Sooners have seen.

``He presents more problems than anybody we've faced thus far,'' he said.

Texas Tech knows the feeling. On a 12-yard touchdown run Saturday, Wallace put his athletic ability on display.

He went back to pass but was flushed by the defense and wound up retreating 20 yards. Then he ran to his right and tiptoed along the sideline as he tried to buy some time.

Finally seeing that no one was open, Wallace sprinted all the way across the field, got a block from his running back and crossed the goal line just inside the left sideline to break a 3-3 tie.

Iowa State's media relations office studied a tape of the play and estimated Wallace ran 135 yards.

``They feel like with their quarterback, they've got a chance to beat anybody, I'm sure,'' Mike Stoops said. ``And they do.''

Brad Smith of Missouri ran for 213 yards against the Sooners two weeks ago. About 80 yards of those yards came on scrambles. The rest came through designed plays.

Mike Stoops said that like Missouri, Iowa State will use sprintouts, bootlegs and other plays to get Wallace on the outside. Where Wallace is better than Smith, Stoops said, is in the passing game.

Wallace leads the conference in passing efficiency. He has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,801 yards, with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions.

No. 2 Oklahoma (6-0, 2-0) is coming off an emotional victory over Texas. After this week, the Sooners have a week off to prepare for the season's final stretch, which begins with games against Colorado and Texas A&M.

``I think our kids understand how important this game is and what type of quarterback we're dealing with,'' Mike Stoops said. ``He's got to be one of top three players for the Heisman right now.

``It would strengthen his case to come in here and do some damage against us.''

Bob Stoops was asked if there is any particular position on defense that's especially important when playing someone like Wallace.

``Yeah,'' he said, ``all 11.''