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Longhorns’ special teams now almost expected to score
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Oklahoma’s defense might have been a victim of its own success last week against Kansas State.
"I think last week we kind of lost our edge," safety Quinton Carter said. Understandable, perhaps, considering how the Sooners have played throughout the season. In the first quarter, the Wildcats seemed to have no idea what OU was doing defensively or how to counter as defensive coordinator Brent Venables situationally used linebacker Austin Box in place of Keenan Clayton to better counter some previous Kansas State tendencies.The Wildcats produced only 19 yards total offense and trailed 21-0 when the teams switched sides for the second quarter. But the ’Cats regrouped and scored on their next four possessions extending into the second half and twice sliced OU’s lead to five points. The Sooners (5-3, 3-1) eventually won 42-30."To be honest," tackle Gerald McCoy said, "I don’t know if we got relaxed — which I don’t think happened — I think we just got out of our fits on some stuff."We can’t let that happen at Nebraska."That would be totally out of character, considering that OU’s defense ranks among the nation’s top 10 in eight categories and no lower than 17th in three others.The Cornhuskers (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) lately have struggled offensively, largely because of the lack of a consistent running attack since last month’s injury to Roy Helu. He rushed for 169 yards at Virginia Tech and 88 at Missouri before suffering a shoulder injury."It’s something that’s been missing," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Monday. "The consistency in the running game is something that’s been lacking." Helu has gained only 48 yards on 12 carries the past two games.In an effort to inject some life into the offense, Pelini inserted 6-foot-4, 220-pound Dayton, Texas, freshman quarterback Cody Green against Baylor last week. After a quick start, Nebraska did not score in the second half of a 20-10 victory in Waco. Pelini hasn’t said if he will go with Green or junior Zac Lee, but most expect Green to draw his second start today.It doesn’t matter, Venables said."We expect to see them both," he said. "Green is more than capable or they wouldn’t put him in there to run their system. He is a terrific young player. He’s got a great future ahead of him."OU’s players have said they’re intent on correcting last week’s mental mistakes and re-establishing the Sooners’ reputation."Yeah," Carter said, "it’s really disappointing that we gave up all those points [23 of 30 against K-State] and a lot of yards [an opponent season-high 364]."Coming in Sunday and Monday and watching film, we saw what we had to do in correcting our mistakes and get back on the positive road. We kind of slacked off a little bit last game. That was disappointing. But we’re looking to get back on that same roll we were on."Mike Jones, 817-390-7760
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