OU's defensive backs get even Sooner secondary: DBs make up for early Missouri gain Sooner secondary gets two interceptions, forces a fumble

By Scott Wright
Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, Mo. — It only took four plays for Missouri's wide-open passing attack to puncture Oklahoma's suspect secondary.

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And Oklahoma's defensive backs spent the rest of the Tigers' 73 snaps getting even.

On Missouri's fourth play, quarterback Chase Daniel hit Greg Bracey for a 46-yard gain, despite tight coverage by Marcus Walker.

But Daniel finished 23 of 44 and his 284 passing yards resulted in just 10 points.

The OU secondary, which had its previous best game of the season last week against a weak Colorado passing attack, played aggressively all day, coming away with two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Linebacker Zach Latimer also got a pick.

The cornerback position had been the area of most concern this season, and became more so after the team's best corner, Reggie Smith, was moved to safety.

That was followed by endless shuffling of starters and inconsistent play, especially on one side of the field, where D.J. Wolfe and Lendy Holmes split time.

Walker has played well since getting into the lineup against Oregon on Sept. 16.

Now, Holmes seems to have solidified the other spot. He had three tackles Saturday, to go with a fumble recovery, an interceptioin and three pass breakups.

It was Holmes' play on fourth-and-one in the third quarter that helped the Sooners nail down Saturday's victory.

Despite a five-inch height disadvantage, Holmes jumped with tight end Chase Coffman and was able to get a hand on the ball to knock it away.

"I knew what was coming," Holmes said. "When 45 (Coffman) came to my side, I knew right away it was coming to me."

Holmes intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and knocked away another potential touchdown late in the game as Missouri tried to mount a rally.

His development seems to be the missing piece to sewing up the secondary. Holmes moved from receiver to cornerback last spring and coaches have said he's just beginning to fully learn the position.

"Lendy Holmes is really coming into his own in really being comfortable back there," OU head coach Bob Stoops said.

"He's such a good athlete. And he showed it on that play. And he can make plays like that, now."

But it was the fourth-and-one play that put momentum firmly in the Sooners' possession.

"We stoned them," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.

"As tired as we were, we played the rest of the way off that high."

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OU's defensive backs get even
Sooner secondary: DBs make up for early Missouri gain
Sooner secondary gets two interceptions, forces a fumble

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