OU football notebook

Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson has exceeded expectations in the eyes of media and fans and a big part of his success has been the improved play of the other 10 guys on the offense compared to last season.

The offensive line is blocking more consistently. Adrian Peterson is fully healthy. Those young receivers are becoming good receivers.

"They were true freshmen," coach Bob Stoops said of the receivers. "I expected the players around Paul to play better than they did a year ago.

"Those guys are making big plays, and I think they'll only keep getting better."

Tight end Joe Jon Finley knows a little extra time in the pocket has helped Thompson as well.

"When you give a quarterback at this level time, they can do some good things for you," Finley said. "Paul's just showing what he can do.

"He knows how to play quarterback, and he can throw that rock."

• Tight ends more involved?: All season, Stoops has said they want to get the tight ends more involved in the passing game, but that hasn't been the case in recent weeks.

The main reason is Peterson.

Oregon and Middle Tennessee State crowded the line of scrimmage with seven, eight or nine defenders, often showing blitz, so the tight ends had to stay in to block, whether the play was a run or a pass.

"When you draw a couple (defenders) inside, that leaves somebody one-on-one," Finley said. "We feel like Malcolm Kelly is pretty good out there one-on-one with those guys."

Still, Stoops feels comfortable with the tight ends' involvement in the offense. True freshman Jermaine Gresham caught his first touchdown pass last week.

"We're getting the tight ends the ball a good number of times, throwing it at them," Stoops said.

• Longhorns keeping quiet about injuries: Running back Selvin Young and defensive end Brian Robison left Texas' 37-14 win over Iowa State last Saturday with injuries, but neither the coaches nor the players are discussing their status entering Saturday's game at Sam Houston State.

Young, who has split time with Jamaal Charles at running back, left the game with an injury to his ribs and Robison hurt his knee. Both left the game in the second quarter and did not return.

Robison was walking the sidelines on crutches at the end of the game.<