Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops certainly had a different vision for the start of the season than the one he is staring at right now.In less than a week's span Stoops has lost his two most important offensive players, was upset in the season-opener to BYU and almost certainly will see their lofty No.3 ranking take a tumble when the latest polls are released this week.
Returning to the BCS national championship game all of sudden seems a far-off goal to the Sooners.
"With all we are fighting through right now, everything is taken week to week," Stoops said Monday. "We've got a lot of improvement to do just in our own accountability of penalties and missed basic assignments that have to improve.
"To look down the road for that as well fighting through the injuries that we have to, we just need to focus on this week and getting better."
That changed outlook has to do with the recent losses of Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford and All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham to injuries. Gresham missed the season opener after suffering a knee injury in practice last week.
Bradford, meanwhile, was knocked out of Saturday game when he suffered a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder. Stoops said he was told by doctors that it was a Grade II or III injury and that Bradford would be evaluated over the next couple weeks.
Stoops told reporters after Monday night's practice that Bradford will miss two to three weeks, but there was no injury to the collarbone, rotator cuff or any other parts of the shoulder, which means surgery will not be required. Bradford just needs time to heal.
Latest College Football Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Tight end Jake Byrne #87 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates with fans after defeating the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jake Byrne
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates victory over the Florida State Seminoles as he leaves the field at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jacory Harris
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Graig Cooper #2 against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jacory Harris
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Mike James #22 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to avoid being brought down by safety Jamie Robinson #20 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike James;Jamie Robinson
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Renegade and Chief Osceola prepares to bury his spear on the 50-yard line before the Miami Hurricanes take on the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Renegade;Chief Osceola
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Tight end Richard Gordon #84 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after a fourth quarter touchdown by running back Graig Cooper #32 against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Richard Gordon
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Renegade rears up as Chief Osceola prepares to bury his spear on the 50-yard line before the Miami Hurricanes take on the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Renegade;Chief Osceola
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Graig Cooper #2 of the Miami Hurricanes is brought down by linebacker Mister Alexander #16 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Graig Cooper;Mister Alexander
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Graig Cooper #2 of the Miami Hurricanes scores the game-winning touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Graig Cooper
Getty Images
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 07: Wide receiver Travis Benjamin #3 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to avoid a tackle attempt by cornerback Patrick Robinson #21 of the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 7, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida. Miami defeated Florida State 38-34. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Travis Benjamin;Patrick Robinson
Getty Images
The Sooners are still in the evaluation process with Gresham, who is expected to be their primary target and a big-time blocking presence on the offensive line. His absence due to cartilage damage in his right knee was certainly felt during Saturday night's stunning 14-13 loss to the 20th-ranked Cougars.
"It affects us in a big way," Stoops said. "There is no denying that. Jermaine is a major presence and a player and a go-to guy. So it affects our offense significantly but we'll deal with it. His injury is the same kind of thing. We'll have an idea in a few days of what the doctors and Jermaine is the best to do."
The immediate future, beginning with Saturday's home opener against Idaho State followed by a non-conference game with Tulsa, means getting along without Gresham and Bradford in the lineup. Redshirt freshman Landry Jones came off the bench in the second half for Bradford on Saturday and showed some flashes.
But more impressive than his 6-of-12 completions for 51 yards was his demeanor and resolve to help the Sooners win, which he nearly did in the end. Stoops said he doesn't anticipate changing the offense while Jones is filling in for Bradford.
"The other night I thought he handled everything really well," Stoops said. "It doesn't change, they both have very similar styles at quarterback."
Stoops actually received a little sympathy from his primary Big 12 South rival, Texas coach Mack Brown Monday. The Longhorns coach remembers what it was like for his team when quarterback Colt McCoy was lost for a period of time a few years ago after he suffered an injury against Kansas State.
It's highly likely both Bradford and Gresham will have returned to the lineup by the time the Longhorns and Sooners meet in the annual Red River Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Oct. 17.
"Bob does a great job," Brown said. "Those people have overcome more injuries than anybody in college football and bounced back and won. Oklahoma is still going to be really good."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-09-2009 @ 10:54PM
DANNA DRURY said...
I said this just after OU lost, but never saw the post go thru, but a school like OU that gets lots of blue chip players - where is the back up quarterback's. There should have been a junior, soph., waiting. Even Texas Tech who does not get the best players always has a back up ready who is a junior, then a soph., then the freshman. They step right in as if they were already the starter, ready to go, knows the system. If people did not ever notice, Stoops last name sounds a lot like Stupids - especially for not having a blue chip underclassman ready. You always have to prepare for this situation - he did not.
Reply