Very nice job by the true freshman last night. Came in and showed a lot of poise in his first college football game. Was glad to see him and many of the young guys get some extended playing time last night. I haven't seen an OU backup come in and play so well in a long time. I feel more confident that he could come in, if needed, to fill in for Baker and keep the offense moving. Hopefully we'll only see him in games like last night where it's to get him some live game reps and not for other reasons....
Austin Kendall
- Thread starter Schoonerman_rivals49058
- Start date
I agree. He had a rough start but he was allowed to run the offense rather than go vanilla like many past backups have been asked to do. Also, Austin played earlier than Bob has given other back up QBs. I think that really helped Austin get his breath and settle in. Smart on Bob and Lincoln's part, IMO. The more reps Austin gets in a real game situation, the better I will feel should Baker go down. Actually, after the first couple of series, Austin played really, really well, and Bob was very complimentary of his play during his post game interview on the field. There were a lot backups that impressed. All in all, this was a very beneficial game for the squad in total.
I was just about to the point where I thought we needed to put some of the starters back in (on offense and on defense) when things started clicking.
I was very surprised when I looked at the Individual stats Sunday morning and saw Kendall was 12-15 passing.
I certainly enjoyed our first look at Adams in a live situation.
But, I couldn't help but wonder why Brooks didn't get time in the 2nd half to offset the Perine / Mixon time in the first half.
However, just know that if Kendall or Adams gets significant playing time in important parts of games, we are likely in trouble.
I was very surprised when I looked at the Individual stats Sunday morning and saw Kendall was 12-15 passing.
I certainly enjoyed our first look at Adams in a live situation.
But, I couldn't help but wonder why Brooks didn't get time in the 2nd half to offset the Perine / Mixon time in the first half.
However, just know that if Kendall or Adams gets significant playing time in important parts of games, we are likely in trouble.
2 of those misses were just a hair overthrown.
Kid has a crazy arm, because I figured he overthrew because of nerves. When I saw the replay and slo-mo, he's just flicking that thing. Almost looks like he's going to sleep out there. Excellent confidence.
Kid has a crazy arm, because I figured he overthrew because of nerves. When I saw the replay and slo-mo, he's just flicking that thing. Almost looks like he's going to sleep out there. Excellent confidence.
I think people are downplaying his contribution Saturday. He played really, really, really excellent for a true freshman in his first action. I don't know if I've seen a QB in the Stoops era play as well in his first action.
The fumble was a rookie mistake. He actually beat that defender on the cutback, but then he assumed the defender was good enough to keep up with him on the cutback, so he actually rolled right back into him. He basically tackled himself on that play.
It was obvious that he also wasn't allowed the QB keep option on every option play he had with Adams. There were a couple of those that Kendall was wide open if he kept. He could have had 15-20 yards on a couple of those. I bet that wasn't a decision issue. I bet he was told not to keep.
His throws, besides the overthrows, were so well placed. He avoided leaping defenders and hands in the air. He put contested balls where only the receiver could make the play. I'm impressed.
The fumble was a rookie mistake. He actually beat that defender on the cutback, but then he assumed the defender was good enough to keep up with him on the cutback, so he actually rolled right back into him. He basically tackled himself on that play.
It was obvious that he also wasn't allowed the QB keep option on every option play he had with Adams. There were a couple of those that Kendall was wide open if he kept. He could have had 15-20 yards on a couple of those. I bet that wasn't a decision issue. I bet he was told not to keep.
His throws, besides the overthrows, were so well placed. He avoided leaping defenders and hands in the air. He put contested balls where only the receiver could make the play. I'm impressed.
Brooks can be dangerous in the open field. He's got breakaway speed, yet only 2 carries for 0 yards so far this season. Not sure why, yet he's been a ST contributor since his sophmore year. Had a nice KO return for 34 yards against ULM. Not that I'm biased or anything, he is from Port Lavaca....
Was really puzzled he didn't get more gametime against Houston. Perine got dinged up, Brooks came in for one carry, then he got pulled again.Brooks can be dangerous in the open field. He's got breakaway speed, yet only 2 carries for 0 yards so far this season. Not sure why, yet he's been a ST contributor since his sophmore year. Had a nice KO return for 34 yards against ULM. Not that I'm biased or anything, he is from Port Lavaca....
I'm also puzzled as to why the KO return and drive with his one carry weren't on the OU Sooner Football with Bob Stoops show.... It was the first drive with the second string o-line in.
I guess I was thinking more about freshness of the RB. Perine and Mixon shared carries in the 1st half. Seems Riley likes to let them both carry, then ride the hot hand a little harder. But, a true freshman got 100% (almost??) of the load for the entire 2nd half. Seems like they would have used Brooks and Adams in the sedond half, like they did Perine and Mixon in the first half. That would keep the offense nearer the same when the backups are playing.Brooks can be dangerous in the open field. He's got breakaway speed, yet only 2 carries for 0 yards so far this season. Not sure why, yet he's been a ST contributor since his sophmore year. Had a nice KO return for 34 yards against ULM. Not that I'm biased or anything, he is from Port Lavaca....
I think there's some risk in the backfield with Brooks blocking for a freshman QB.
Adams is much larger, probably 25lbs+, and I was really impressed with his blocking. He certainly exudes workhorse more than 5'8" Brooks. Adams is also going to be a starter soon.
As much as we can like and appreciate Brooks, reality is that he's a redshirt senior and counting on him now or in the future is not a necessity. For 5 years, he's been given a tremendous opportunity to play for one of the best D1 football schools, but let's not squeeze blood from a turnip.
Adams is much larger, probably 25lbs+, and I was really impressed with his blocking. He certainly exudes workhorse more than 5'8" Brooks. Adams is also going to be a starter soon.
As much as we can like and appreciate Brooks, reality is that he's a redshirt senior and counting on him now or in the future is not a necessity. For 5 years, he's been given a tremendous opportunity to play for one of the best D1 football schools, but let's not squeeze blood from a turnip.
Without doubt. Brooks is a fine young man, but size is definitely a factor. 5'8" and 190, he's gained 15 to 20 lbs. At Port Lavaca Calhoun, they averaged 2 or 3 pass attempts per game when he played. I've never seen him catch a football. That could be part of it. No telling, I like seeing his number called though...
A short article on OUInsider saying it looks like OU will be without Brooks this week.
Wonder if he got nicked up Saturday and I didn't notice.
Wonder if he got nicked up Saturday and I didn't notice.
I'm reading that Brooks will most likely not play Sat while Evans & Walker should be on the field. My concern is that while they may be on the field, I hope they're both at 100% as they are going to be needed big time.