Oklahoma Sooners: Nick Lamaison
Roundtable: Three thoughts on OU-UTEP 
September, 2, 2012
9/02/12
3:30
PM CT
By SoonerNation staff | ESPN.com
After Oklahoma's game every week this season, the SoonerNation staff will look at the most impressive thing from the game, the biggest concern from the game and an interesting storyline moving forward.
On Oklahoma's 24-7 win over UTEP:
Jake Trotter:
On Oklahoma's 24-7 win over UTEP:
Jake Trotter:
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Analyzing the finer points of Oklahoma’s 24-7 win Saturday at UTEP:
• I had high hopes for OU’s special teams. But this was the most disastrous special teams performance in a long time. The Sooners had a punt blocked for a touchdown, a field goal blocked and repeatedly turned Michael Edwards loose trying to cover punts. Had UTEP’s field-goal kicking not been even worse, the Sooners might have lost. It’s too soon to write off OU’s special teams. Michael Hunnicutt did nail a 38-yarder, and Tress Way otherwise had a strong night punting, pinning UTEP inside the 20 three times. But let’s not act like OU’s special teams issues have been solved either. Special teams didn’t get OU beat Saturday. But they almost certainly will down the line if they don’t improve.
• Had OU’s offense been much crisper, we’d probably be harping more on how improved Landry Jones’ footwork is. Jones’ work with QB tutor George Whitfield this offseason has really paid off. Jones would not have been able to deliver the 68-yard bomb he threw across his body to Kenny Stills along the opposite sideline last season. “After that TD, I told Landry, ‘You look great,’” Stills said. “He worked really hard in the offseason, and he looks great and has a lot of confidence.” Jones got outside the pocket more times in one game than he did all of last season. On one play in the second quarter, Jones sidestepped the blitz, then delivered an off-balance strike to Dominique Whaley. Had Whaley not dropped the pass, he might have scored.
• I had high hopes for OU’s special teams. But this was the most disastrous special teams performance in a long time. The Sooners had a punt blocked for a touchdown, a field goal blocked and repeatedly turned Michael Edwards loose trying to cover punts. Had UTEP’s field-goal kicking not been even worse, the Sooners might have lost. It’s too soon to write off OU’s special teams. Michael Hunnicutt did nail a 38-yarder, and Tress Way otherwise had a strong night punting, pinning UTEP inside the 20 three times. But let’s not act like OU’s special teams issues have been solved either. Special teams didn’t get OU beat Saturday. But they almost certainly will down the line if they don’t improve.
• Had OU’s offense been much crisper, we’d probably be harping more on how improved Landry Jones’ footwork is. Jones’ work with QB tutor George Whitfield this offseason has really paid off. Jones would not have been able to deliver the 68-yard bomb he threw across his body to Kenny Stills along the opposite sideline last season. “After that TD, I told Landry, ‘You look great,’” Stills said. “He worked really hard in the offseason, and he looks great and has a lot of confidence.” Jones got outside the pocket more times in one game than he did all of last season. On one play in the second quarter, Jones sidestepped the blitz, then delivered an off-balance strike to Dominique Whaley. Had Whaley not dropped the pass, he might have scored.
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Instant Analysis: Oklahoma 24, UTEP 7
September, 2, 2012
9/02/12
1:15
AM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
EL PASO, Texas – It was ugly. But it’s a win. The Sooners finally pulled away from UTEP in the fourth quarter to win 24-7.
It was over when: OU running back Damien Williams went over right tackle, cut back across the field, then raced 65 yards for a touchdown, giving the Sooners a 24-7 lead with 2:55 to play. The Sooners entered the fourth quarter clinging to a 10-7 lead.
Game ball goes to: UTEP running back Nathan Jeffrey, who kept the Miners in the game into the fourth quarter. Jeffrey rushed for 177 yards on 21 carries, nearly becoming the first back in a decade to run for more than 200 yards against the Sooners. Jeffrey also scored UTEP’s only touchdown, scooping up a blocked punt and racing 24 yards in the first quarter.
Stat of the game: If the Miners had a reliable field goal kicker, they might have won the game. UTEP missed all three of its field goal attempts, from 45, 31 and 41 yards out. Dakota Warren missed the first two. Steven Valadez misfired on the third, which would have tied the game late in the third quarter.
Unsung hero: Defensive tackle David King, who spearheaded OU’s consistent pass rush up the middle. The Sooners were without both of their starting in defensive tackles Stacy McGee (suspended) and Casey Walker (personal issue), but King, who flipped from end to tackle two weeks ago, made sure that Nick Lamaison never found a rhythm, as the UTEP quarterback completed just 6 of 23 passes for 39 yards.
What we learned about this team: The Sooners have a long way to go to become a Big 12 title contender, much less a national championship one. Especially on the offensive side of the ball. UTEP ranked 104th in the country last season in total defense, but stymied the Sooners for three-and-a-half quarters. The running game was sporadic, and Landry Jones looked out of sync with his new receiving corps. If the Sooners are going to score with the likes of West Virginia and Oklahoma State, they are going to need to make a lot of improvement.
Halftime Instant Analysis: OU 7, UTEP 7
September, 1, 2012
9/01/12
11:20
PM CT
By
Jake Trotter | ESPN.com
EL PASO, Texas – This what not the kind of start Oklahoma was hoping for the 2012 season. After a sluggish first half, the Sooners are tied with UTEP 7-7 at halftime.
Stat of the half: Miners QB Nick Lamaison has completed just 3 of 13 passes for 17 yards. The OU secondary has committed two defensive pass interference penalties (one by Aaron Colvin, one by Gabe Lynn) but otherwise the unit has been stout.
Player of the half: Kenny Stills has been the only thing OU’s had going offensively. The junior wideout has four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. The rest of the receiving corps? Two catches for 11 yards. Off a busted play, Stills broke open down the sideline 68 yards for the Sooners’ only score. It was the longest catch of Stills’ career.
What’s working for the Sooners: After a shaky opening drive, the OU defense has been stingy. David King, who two weeks ago was moved from end to tackle, has led a disruptive pass rush up the middle, preventing Lamaison from generating any rhythm. After giving up 58 yards on the opening drive, the Sooners have allowed just 39 total yards.
What’s not working for the Sooners: Head coach Bob Stoops said all preseason he expected the kicking game to be a team strength. So far, it’s been a disaster. The Miners blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter, they blocked Michael Hunnicutt’s 44-yard field goal attempt.
What OU needs to do to win: The first half smacks of the offensive problems that plagued the Sooners late last season. Quarterback Landry Jones has looked mostly sharp, but has been out of sync with his new receivers, Penn State transfer Justin Brown and true freshman Trey Metoyer. The Sooners could take some of the pressure off Jones by establishing the run, which they failed to do in the first half.
Stat of the half: Miners QB Nick Lamaison has completed just 3 of 13 passes for 17 yards. The OU secondary has committed two defensive pass interference penalties (one by Aaron Colvin, one by Gabe Lynn) but otherwise the unit has been stout.
Player of the half: Kenny Stills has been the only thing OU’s had going offensively. The junior wideout has four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. The rest of the receiving corps? Two catches for 11 yards. Off a busted play, Stills broke open down the sideline 68 yards for the Sooners’ only score. It was the longest catch of Stills’ career.
What’s working for the Sooners: After a shaky opening drive, the OU defense has been stingy. David King, who two weeks ago was moved from end to tackle, has led a disruptive pass rush up the middle, preventing Lamaison from generating any rhythm. After giving up 58 yards on the opening drive, the Sooners have allowed just 39 total yards.
What’s not working for the Sooners: Head coach Bob Stoops said all preseason he expected the kicking game to be a team strength. So far, it’s been a disaster. The Miners blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter, they blocked Michael Hunnicutt’s 44-yard field goal attempt.
What OU needs to do to win: The first half smacks of the offensive problems that plagued the Sooners late last season. Quarterback Landry Jones has looked mostly sharp, but has been out of sync with his new receivers, Penn State transfer Justin Brown and true freshman Trey Metoyer. The Sooners could take some of the pressure off Jones by establishing the run, which they failed to do in the first half.
Campus location: El Paso, Texas
Nickname: Miners
Conference: Conference USA
All-time record vs. OU: 0-2
Nickname: Miners
Conference: Conference USA
All-time record vs. OU: 0-2
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Sept. 1, 2012: At The University of Texas at El Paso
2011 record: 5-7 | 2011 conference record: 2-6 (Conference USA)
Oklahoma all-time against UTEP: 2-0
Top returners: QB Nick Lamaison, WR Mike Edwards, C Eloy Atkinson, DT Germard Reed, DT Marcus Bagley, DE Horace Miller, LB Jamie Irving, LB Josh Fely, S Richard Spencer, P Ian Campbell
2011 record: 5-7 | 2011 conference record: 2-6 (Conference USA)
Oklahoma all-time against UTEP: 2-0
Top returners: QB Nick Lamaison, WR Mike Edwards, C Eloy Atkinson, DT Germard Reed, DT Marcus Bagley, DE Horace Miller, LB Jamie Irving, LB Josh Fely, S Richard Spencer, P Ian Campbell
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ABOUT SOONER NATION
Jake Trotter
Jake Trotter joined ESPN.com in 2011 after four years with The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman, covering OU and Big 12 football. He's a graduate of Washington and Lee (Va.) University and lives in Oklahoma City with his wife. Email him at trotterjake@gmail.com.
Brandon Chatmon
Brandon Chatmon joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending eight years with The Oklahoman, covering Oklahoma State University, high schools and recruiting. Chatmon lives in Norman, Okla. Email him at bchatmonespn@gmail.com.
Bob Przybylo
Bob Przybylo joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years with The Oklahoman, covering high schools and recruiting. Przybylo lives in Oklahoma City. Email him at bprzybyloespn@gmail.com.