SOONERGUYS Blog

Most observers have already named the OU-Texas game on October 17 the pivotal contest of the year (including Alex in his video report here), so it is little wonder the talk of last year’s Sooner defeat in Dallas is already quite loud.

Much of the discussion centers on the play of walk-on linebacker Brandon Crow, who was pressed into service when starter Ryan Reynolds sustained a season-ending knee injury. With the previous LB star Curtis Lofton having left early for the NFL the Sooners were without a strong backup.

Crow had his lunch eaten against Texas. The Texas coaches focused on the inexperienced LB, running tight end drag pass routes and mis-direction plays against him the rest of the game. He wasn’t the only reason OU lost 35-45 to Texas last year, but the position became a huge Achilles heel in that game. With some shifting of personnel Oklahoma coaches adjusted and Crow played little more the rest of the year.

With backup Tom Wort out for the season and Mike Balogun’s eligibility still in doubt, will we see the walk-on from Comanche back on the field against the Longhorns?

Considering all the grief Crow received after last year’s performance no one would have faulted him had he chosen to shelve the remainder of his football career.

But he didn’t. Crow is suited up and giving it his all in pre-season practices, fighting for his linebacker position. Whether he gets on the Cotton Bowl field in October remains to be seen. We hope that doesn’t have to happen. But, in the meantime, our hats go off to him for showing the mental toughness to work through that bad experience and fight for the right to wear the crimson and cream.

UPDATE:  Crow is being tried out as backup fullback.  Good job by the coaching staff to get him involved in a way for which he may be best suited.