NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford doesn’t remember much about last year’s loss to Texas Tech that knocked the Sooners out of the national title hunt, and he’s not just playing coy.
Bradford was also knocked out – taking a hit to the head in the first quarter that put him on the sideline with a concussion. What he does know about Oklahoma’s 34-27 loss comes only from video.
“I’ve watched it, so I know pretty much everything that happened now. It’s a little frustrating to turn on the tape and see that I played the first couple plays and then wasn’t out there to finish the game with my teammates,” Bradford said Tuesday.
“So, there’s probably a little bit of extra motivation to go out there and play well this year.”
rated passer.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops said he was watching film with his offensive coaches Monday night in preparation for this Saturday’s game against No. 2 Texas Tech (10-0, 6-0 Big 12) when he had a flashback to that play.
“They were talking about Sam doing something here or there and I said, `What about just get out of the way and watch it?”’ Stoops said.
For good reason, Stoops doesn’t want his quarterback doing any more tackling even if “99 times out of 100, he’s not going to get injured or knocked out” but both he and Bradford know what would happen if he was put in the same situation again.
“Obviously you’re not going to give up six points. If I am forced into a situation to make a tackle, I will, but let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” said Bradford, joking that “maybe we’ll go lower this year” if the opportunity arises.
Bradford has followed his fabulous debut season, in which he set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes, by putting up even bigger numbers this season. He leads the nation with 38 touchdown passes, two away from Jason White’s school record of 40 during his 2003 Heisman Trophy season. Bradford is ranked second in the country in passing efficiency (188.9) and third in yards passing yards per game (340.6).
rs can end Oklahoma’s 23-game home winning streak – the longest in the nation – he’ll likely keep that title.
Harrell leads the country with 407.7 yards passing per game and ranks third in touchdown passes (36) and seventh in quarterback rating (169.2).
“From what I’ve seen from him, he’s very patient,” Bradford said. “I think he does a great job of buying time in the pocket, sliding around and moving to buy and extra second to find an open receiver. I think once he finds and open receiver, he’s very good at getting the ball there.”
But Bradford said he’s more caught up in the enormity of the game than the meeting of two Heisman-caliber quarterbacks. Tech can clinch the Big 12 South with a win, but Oklahoma (9-1, 5-1) can keep its hopes for a third straight conference title alive if it comes out victorious.
“It’s exciting to be in a game with two top-five teams getting to play in Norman at home. I don’t think we’ve played a top-five team at home since I’ve been here,” Bradford said.
“To get to be a part of that and play in front of our fans, I think that’s the most exciting thing about this game.”
for practice this week.
“I think this football game is probably the biggest game we’ve played in all year because it’s got implications on probably who goes to the Big 12 championship and then possibly who goes to the national championship,” Bradford said.
“I think this game is the most important thing that we’ve done as a team so far this year.”
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