OU notebook

By Scott Wright

Published: November 1, 2006

Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson said Tuesday that the Sooners must try to attack Texas A&M's secondary, which often features five defensive backs.

Thompson said the Aggies like to play man coverage on the outside receivers.

"There's different things defenses will let you take," Thompson said. "We've got some types of (pass) route schemes that we practiced (Monday) that we haven't done normally.

"We're going to try to take advantage (of) their one-on-one matchup outside."

Against Missouri, OU dropped in a few new run plays, including the quarterback option. The additions to the passing attack this week, Thompson says, will force Texas A&M to choose between stopping the run or the pass.

"Allen Patrick has done a great job running the ball," Thompson said. "They're going to have to pick their poison. We feel we can take some shots and make some big plays down the field."

• Praise for Dotson: OU defensive end Alonzo Dotson saw his most significant action of the season Saturday at Missouri and came up big for the Sooners, especially on the goal-line stand in the third quarter.

"I should have given him a game ball immediately after the game, but sometimes you don't realize it until you watch tape," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "He makes the first three plays on the goal line. All three of them in a row are Alonzo."

• Williams satisfied: Trent Williams, the Sooners' true freshman offensive tackle, made his first career start on the road Saturday against Missouri and said the moment was everything he hoped it would be.

But Missouri was only a primer for what Williams will see Saturday at Texas A&M.

"The crowd was crazy. Their defense was good," he said of Missouri. "Running out the tunnel, nerves kind of built up.

"I feel a lot more comfortable now, but I'm not going to say I won't be nervous when we run onto Kyle Field. It's going to be way crazier than any game I've ever been in in my life."

• No Fowler: ESPN's "College GameDay" crew is scheduled to be in College Station, Texas, for Saturday's game, but the desk will have one noticeable difference.

Longtime host Chris Fowler will not anchor the show this week. Fowler instead will be hosting ESPN's coverage of the Breeders' Cup.

By Scott Wright