From Deseret News archives:
Aggies focus on playing error-free
How Utah State learns from the Sooners' first two victims will determine how well the Aggies fare today in their first visit to Norman in 16 years.
The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. and will air on KJZZ.
The plan: Avoid giving up big plays and don't turn the ball over.
That's a lot easier said than done.
"It will be a challenge for the entire football team and staff to come up with a game plan where we can control the ball and not give up big plays," Utah State coach Brent Guy said.
Against North Texas, the Sooners (2-0) had the game soundly in hand less than four minutes into it. They led 49-0 at halftime, eventually winning 79-10.
In Oklahoma's first two drives, North Texas allowed two plays of 40 yards or more and one of them — a 44-yard run by DeMarco Murray — went for a touchdown.
In their third scoring drive, the Sooners had plays of 51 and 25 yards before Murray scored on a 1-yard run.
The Sooners intercepted North Texas three times and eventually scored touchdowns after each.
Guy said the Aggies, who played Arkansas tough last year before losing 20-0, can't afford to get caught up in the moment.
A moment may be enough to doom them.
"They (the Aggies) will be excited to play, but the excitement will wear off after the first snap and the reality is we've got to compete with these guys every snap for four quarters," Guy said. "That will be the hardest thing to do because right now they have a lot more guys that are bigger and stronger than we do."
The Aggies got caught in the moment at Alabama two years ago and gave up 14 quick points and never recovered.
Utah State linebacker Jake Hutton has confidence that the Aggies can play with the Sooners.
"We need to not give them as much respect and think so high of them. I think that if we give them too much respect, in that sense, that we come out and we know they're awesome and treat them like they're awesome, but we know we can play with these guys," he said.
As for big plays, the Aggies were in the game at Arkansas until Heisman Trophy candidate Derrick McFadden broke off a long run for a touchdown to break the Aggies' backs.
The Sooners have the big-play ability as nine offensive plays went for 20 yards or more against North Texas and six against Miami in the 51-13 win.
Defensively, the Sooners held North Texas to 10 plays resulting in negative yards (five were sacks) and Miami to 12 plays resulting in negative yards (one sack). Oklahoma had a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Hurricanes.
