Sooner Football Notes, 12/2: OU not surprised coach among candidates

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BY CURT McKEEVER / Lincoln Journal Star

Oklahoma linebacker Rufus Alexander says it’s like beating a dead horse when the subject of Bob Stoops being a candidate for national-coach-of-the-year honors arises.

Same thing with Sooner quarterback Paul Thompson

“In my opinion, (he) would be every year,” Thompson said. “But with the things that we’ve had to overcome, the way he’s kept this team focused, kept our mind-set focused on our main goal, is big. That’s the main thing in coaching, keeping your team focused, away from the distractions.”

Before the season, Stoops removed returning starting quarterback Rhett Bomar and offensive lineman J.D. Quinn from the team after the two committed NCAA rules violations. Thompson, who was playing wide receiver, then switched back to quarterback.

In the sixth game, Oklahoma also lost tailback Adrian Peterson to a broken collarbone. Without the Heisman Trophy candidate, the Sooners have actually increased their running game production and gone 6-0.

To Alexander, it all comes back to Stoops, 85-18 with three Big 12 championships and one national title in seven-plus seasons.

“He’s a guy that demands respect. He has a reputation of just making teams focus in on what they’ve got to do, taking care of the task at hand,” Alexander said. “He demands people to play great, no matter who you are. You could be a second-string guy, if you have to step in and be a starter he’s a guy that’ll say, ‘Well, you’ve got to step up, you’ve got to make plays. It’s not an excuse ’cuz you’re a No. 2 that you can’t make plays.’

“He’s a guy that just resembles strength — always. He doesn’t take the easy way out. He was a guy that kept everything in perspective. He said we lost this game, but there’s no reason we can’t win the rest of our games.”

NINE AND COUNTING: The Sooners has won their last nine games against Big 12 North Division opponents. The streak began after they lost to Kansas State 35-7 in the 2003 league championship.

BUCKING THE ODDS: OU is 4-1 this season when committing more turnovers than their opponent.

YOUNG BUCKS: Thirteen of the 22 offensive and defensive players who started in last week’s game against Oklahoma State have at least two years of eligibility remaining. Of the 48 who saw action, 30 fit that category.

QUOTABLE: “Both programs are back at the top right now, and the drive to get a Big 12 championship is one of the biggest drives you can have in a season. I’ve been a part of Big 12 championships here with Jason White and Mark Clayton, in that era, but it’s kind of like a new era with not as many recognizable guys, maybe from the outside. It’s kind of a young team, so I’m looking to get a championship for them.” — Quarterback Paul Thompson.