Sooners: Highlights From Bob Stoops' Weekly Press Conference

Oklahoma head football coach Bob Stoops held his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon with his Sooners set to take on No. 15 Houston on Saturday morning to kick off the 2016 season. Here are some highlights from Stoops' session: 

On Houston’s offense…

“Offensively everything goes through number 1, Greg Ward Jr. Great, great player. Has the ability to run the football, designed runs, great scrambler, great thrower as well.”

“Very disciplined football team in the way they play. Offensively they give you a lot of problems of course with formation and some motions, quarterback run game to go with your traditional pass and run game.”

On Houston’s defense…

“Really created a lot of turnovers a year ago. Really aggressive defense in the way they play so we’ll have to be excellent on offense handling all that pressure.

On playing on the road to start the season…

“Going on the road to play, our guys realize we’ve had a really good summer but we’ve got to be at our best going down there ready to play this week. I know everybody’s excited about it and really looking forward to the big challenge of it.”

On Alex Dalton earning the starting job at right guard...

“Just really has played well. Assignment wise, technique wise, just really is a guy now. I want to say it’s Alex’s third year now, and I want to say he’s really coming into his own and playing well.”

How’s Matt Romar recovering from concussion?

“We’ll see today how he checks out, but he’s been improving and closer so we’ll see today once trainers get a chance to evaluate him. He did more and more at the end of last week.”

On OU’s kick returners...

“Joe Mixon, Daniel Brooks to start with, Dede Westbrook can do it, Abdul Adams does it, Samaje does it, they all rotate back there, but likely those other two to start with and Jarvis Baxter will start at punt return.”

On the defense playing with discipline to open the season…

“It’s every game you have to have discipline for whoever you’re going against. To be in position to tackle, make good tackles in the open field is always a challenge because you’re limited in how much you do it in the offseason. Greg Ward is a guy who can really break you down and make you miss, so it’ll be imperative that we squeeze him and stay in good position on him.”

On the defense adjusting to Houston’s tempo…

“It’s critical with everyone with tempo, being able to recognize the formation and get lined up, that’s the reason everybody does it. That’ll be critical this week and on through the year.”

On OU's Linebackers…

“I’ve been excited about our linebacker crew, it’s really been coming along in particular the last week with Jordan Evans and Tay Evans back there together have been really great communicating and being where they need to be. Obo continues to come on strong and then Will Johnson has been a main stay back there to go with Kapri Doucet and some of these other guys, Caleb Kelley and Rick DeBerry out on the weak side. They’re coming along. I think they’ve shown a lot more discipline in what they’re doing with their technique and how they’re playing.”

On OU's Receivers…

“I feel like the group is in good shape, I said all along that I expect Dede Westbrook to be a guy that’ll have a chance to make more big plays this year, more guys are showing up overall. A.D. Miller, Mykel Jones when he’s back out there, Jarvis Baxter, there’s just more guys who’re being more consistent in how they’re practicing and playing on the field that I feel will have a chance to make a bigger impact overall this year. I think the whole group is just more prepared.”

On quarterback Baker Mayfield…

“Baker Mayfield is doing great. He’s been a great leader, you can tell he’s just so much more comfortable, I think rightfully so, now that he’s been in the leadership position, he’s the guy. All this time with Coach Riley you can tell he’s an extension of Coach Riley in what he sees and what we’re trying to accomplish and what we’re trying to do. He understands the offense so well, run and pass. That’s what’s been so positive, just how fluid it’s been with him, now a full year in the system and again sitting in Coach Riley’s meetings all this time, it’s been really positive. And his decision making, where he’s going with the football has been really good, it’s been great.”

What has Baker done as far as fostering an identity for the team…

“He creates excitement for everyone, even if we’re in a two minute drill, or a a third down sequence when we’re seeing who’s the winner and loser he’s agitating the defense so it gets them fired up. So he creates energy all the time and it helps everyone and it’s natural for him, he doesn’t have to do something out of what’s the norm for him and that’s what I think makes him so special."

“When they see him making plays, the defensive guys get fired up. Obviously it does everything for the offense when those guys want to block for a guy who’s going to scramble until he’s out of breath and found a way to make a play, so everyone’s going to play harder for him. But I definitely think it affects the defense. They see him go out there and make a special play, same thing, they get charged up, they get excited about it and they know with him you’ve always got a chance, so I think he affects everybody in a positive way.”

On true freshman and backup quarterback Austin Kendall’s progress…

“I love it. He’s really progressed well, really in particular these last couple of weeks, you could tell he’s just getting more and more comfortable, quicker in decision making and decisive in where he’s going with the ball. For a young guy he’s really been smart in protecting the ball overall, so I really think he’s made really good progress.”

On what Jonathan Alvarez starting brings at center…

“Jonathan’s one of the leaders in how he works, his attitude, he has something to say to the other guys on the offensive line like those guys did, so he’s a leader that way on and off the field, attitude wise, everything working, and he’s a good player. I think that’s the other part, is his execution. It’s hard to be a leader if you’re not playing so well, so the fact that he’s a really good player matters too.”

On running back Samaje Perine…

“Samaje Perine’s had a great camp, he looks fabulous in that if it’s possible, he’s stronger and faster. You can just tell as a guy isn’t 18 anymore and is 20, 21 years old just continues to get more and more physical in his development and he’s worked really hard at it. The ankle’s been great, so he’s looked great in camp, everything he’s done.”

On running back Joe Mixon…

“Really good. Joe’s been healthy, he’s worked really hard. Same thing, stronger, faster, those two work really great together and he’s had a really great, positive camp.”

On if he knew he’d be at OU for this long when he first took the job…

“When I accepted the job, I knew this wasn’t a stepping stone job. Accepting this job, done the right way, you would be here a long time. Could you ever foresee 18 seasons? Not really. But I also knew that this is one of the best jobs there is in the country and I believe it still is. I’ve been fortunate to work for the same president and athletic director that are great leaders, so I don’t take that for granted. I’ve never been one in my life thinking the grass was greener on the other side, it isn’t always. I’ve been fortunate to work with these leaders and assistant coaches in a community that’s appreciated us overall. So all that together has led to 18 seasons.”

On his relationship with Houston coach Tom Herman…

“Not very familiar with him, haven’t been around him very much. But really respect the heck out of the way he’s coached everywhere he’s been. He’s always done an excellent job, Iowa State on through all of the places he’s been. Obviously what he did at Ohio State was remarkable, it’s really something to take look at, until what he did at Houston, he may have topped it there. Winning a national championship as a coordinator then going 13-1 as a head coach is pretty special. He’s done a great job.”

On Kyler Murray running the scout team…

“Kyler’s done a great job simulating Greg Ward, no doubt. He’s quick, fast, a guy that’s played, so he’s been working hard out there last week and I’m sure he will be again this week.”

“He was very impressive last week, running around, making plays, it’s good to see the special explosiveness he has.”

On the outside expectations for the Sooners…

“It’s funny how little we hear of that. It’s funny how everybody wants to tie last year to this year, meaning how the last game went. Or we won the big 12 and went to the Final Four so we should feel the other way and tie it to this year… I don’t get it, we don’t pay attention to it, what does it mean? Ten of the last 16 years we’ve been ranked in the top 10 at the end of the season, so I don’t know where you were predicting us before the season, but that isn’t all that.”

On outside linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo…

“What he brings, more so than the numbers, is accountability and responsibility and being where he’s supposed to be and doing what he’s supposed to be doing. Showing that responsibility to the team overall and he’s a guy with his quickness and strength has a chance to make a lot of plays. So hopefully that will keep happening.”

On playing Houston week one…

“You can tell there’s probably more of a sense of urgency. I think our guys are always excited to start the season, anxious to get out there for the first time.”