First memory of last year’s clash against the K-State Wildcats is probably the injury to RB Dominque Whaley — an event that neutered the Sooners running game and likely lead to the two losses sustained later in the 2011 season.
Maybe not remembered so much is how QB Landry Jones stepped up to pass for 505 yards and five touchdowns, as the Sooners handly beat Kansas State 58-17 in Manhattan. Ryan Broyles caught 14 passes for 171 yards and a TD.
Whaley is back. And, JUCO transfer Damien Williams has shined as the Big 12 newcomer of the year, so far.
That bodes well for No. 5 Oklahoma, as it means less pressure will be on Jones and the newcomer corps of wide receivers to match last year’s effort to beat the No. 15 Wildcats on Saturday night in Norman.
In last year’s game, K-State QB Collin Klein was sacked five times and threw for only 58 yards. But, for two quarters the game was tight. Kansas State actually led 17-14 mid-way through the second quarter. The second half was all Sooners, sparked by Jones’ passing prowess and a strong showing from OU’s defensive pass rush.
The Sooners game plan for 2012 is likely not different. If Oklahoma can get an early lead, that will force Kansas State to throw the football — which it doesn’t want to do. Klein is a monster QB-Running Back, but Kansas State’s passing game has been its weakness.
That’s what enabled the Oklahoma front four to just T it up and put tremendous pressure on Klein in the pocket last year.
Kansas State went into last weekend’s games 94th in the country in passing offense.
But in Kansas State’s 35-21 win over North Texas last week, Klein threw for 230 yards.
Regardless, Klein’s passing efficiency is good. He completes more than 75 percent of his passes — he just doesn’t throw as many as other QBs in the league. He doesn’t need to. The Wildcats beat people with their feet.
The Sooners can expect an all-out assault from a K-State rushing game. The Wildcats are averaging more than 300 yards per game, with RB John Hubert getting an average 9 yards per carry.
Offensively, Oklahoma will be playing its usual game, although one could expect more running the football than last year, because of the Whaley and Williams combo, plus adequate play from Brennan Clay in a back-up role in the backfield.
The Sooners will try to make it the sixth straight win over the Wildcats.
Kickoff on Saturday is at 6:50 pm at Owen Field. The game will be televised on FOX.
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