Stoops: Young Sooners still learning to play complete game

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops' young team hasn't had many problems getting a double-digit lead lately. It's securing that lead that's been the problem. <br/><br/>Stoops

Tuesday, November 15th 2005, 7:35 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops' young team hasn't had many problems getting a double-digit lead lately. It's securing that lead that's been the problem.

Stoops told reporters Tuesday that the Sooners' tendency to give back leads in the second half could be a lack of experience or focus, or a sign that players haven't been coached well enough.

The Sooners have been outscored 137-to-108 in the second half this season. They allowed Baylor to come back from an 11-point deficit to force overtime, then let both Nebraska and Texas A&M recover from 21 points down to get back within one touchdown.

Yet, OU won all three of those games.

The defense halted a potential game-tying drive in the final three minutes by Nebraska, and the offense was able to run out the final 3-and-a-half minutes in a 36-30 win against Texas A&M on Saturday.

Those performances in crunch time have Stoops impressed with his young team.