OU football Questions & Answers

Published: October 23, 2006

How did the wind affect Oklahoma's offense Saturday night?

The 30-plus mph winds affected just about every aspect of the offense, but especially passing and play-calling.

Deep throws essentially were wiped out of the game plan and the short and intermediate passes were more difficult to throw and catch.

The wind hampered any momentum the Sooners created with a 10-point first quarter. OU went into the wind in the second and third periods and failed to score.

The Sooners had only one good possession while going into the wind in the middle half of the game.

That drive ended on downs at the Colorado 29. It also was the only time OU reached Colorado territory during that span of the game.

How well did Allen Patrick play in his first start in place of Adrian Peterson?

Some numbers (35 carries, 110 yards) were more impressive than others (3.1 yards per carry). But overall, the coaches were proud of how hard he played.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Sunday that Patrick followed what he was told to do — sometimes to a fault.

Wilson teaches his backs to make a decision and hit the hole hard.

"We might have over-preached that to him," Wilson said.

"Maybe the opportunity was there to bounce the ball outside when things were pinching in and, quite honestly, he ran right into the blocking a couple times."

"Sometimes, you get what you coach. Some of the things he missed are a product of what we emphasized."

After the coaches talked up Mossis Madu all week, why was Chris Brown the only true freshman running back to play Saturday?

Coaches still feel Madu is the best of the three true freshmen, and it's still likely he'll play this season. Brown showed a better understanding in practice of what the offense wanted to do.

Also, Brown is a stronger runner in the I-formation, and that's what the Sooners needed in the fourth quarter.

Wilson says Madu has impressed coaches in all phases of the offense and has big-play potential.

Will Reggie Smith be back at strong safety next week at Missouri?

It all depends how quickly his bruised left knee heals this week.

If he's unable to practice for a day or two, Bob Stoops might stick with Saturday night's plan, using Nic Harris at strong safety and inserting Smith in passing situations.

Harris is the fourth person to play strong safety for the Sooners this season — Keenan Clayton and Jason Carter were the other two.

Harris has played mostly nickelback this season, but he practiced at both safety spots during two-a-days.