Saturday, August 31, 2013

Oklahoma Defense is Ready to Silence the Critics

Over the past nine months, record-setting offensive statistics and intense criticism have left Oklahoma defenders wounded.

These aren't injuries that prevent anyone from playing; on the contrary, playing is virtually the only way to cure a football player's hurt pride. The Sooner defense begins that healing process Saturday evening against Louisiana-Monroe on Owen Field in the 2013 season opener.

“I can see the guys' mentality,” said senior cornerback Aaron Colvin. “We hear a lot of the negative things that are going around. Sometimes we talk about it, sometimes we don't. But we all know the expectations for us.”

Oklahoma played relatively well defensively through its first eight games last season, but often looked completely overmatched against the high-powered spread attacks of Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, which averaged 43 points and 581.25 yards against the Sooners.

enior linebacker Corey Nelson — who, along with Colvin, was named a team captain this week — asked reporters to excuse his language before describing the way OU's defensive linemen feel about the widespread, negative opinion many have of them.

“They get (ticked) off about it to hear that the D-line is iffy this year,” Nelson said. “It puts a fire up under those guys. They told me that. They've got something to prove this year more than anybody.” (The Oklahoman)
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