Reliving The Pain - How The Final Play Went So Wrong For The OU Defense

by ccmachine on Nov 22, 2011 3:35 PM CST in Oklahoma Sooners Football

WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Terrance Williams #2 of the Baylor Bears makes a catch for a touchdown in the fourth quarter during a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Waco, Texas. The Baylor Bears defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 45-38. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images)

Its not fun but going back and looking at film can sometimes be therapeutic to a heart-broken and frustrated fan. Obviously it doesn't change the outcome of the game but it can change the opinion of a hardened fan like me. I blasted Sam Proctor on the podcast Thursday night for playing the receiver wrong. Turns out I was the one who was wrong! Procter played it decent, not great but decent. He just gave up the outside corner which usually doesn't kill you because its a very difficult throw. You'd have to have a tremendously athletic quarterback who is able to throw the ball back across the field after scrambling to his left and put the ball on a rope while doing so in order to make that play work. Guess what...

The play is an empty backfield/five receiver set for Baylor. The Oklahoma defense is spread with three defensive linemen to contain Griffin, two linebackers to cover the short middle and five defensive backs to cover down field. The touchdown comes from Terrance Williams who is lined up inside on the trips set at the bottom of the screen. Demontre Hurst, Tony Jefferson and Sam Proctor have the assignment of covering the trips set. Hurst will take underneath, Jefferson the middle and Procter the deep.

The play almost never happened as Frank Alexander gets a great jump and has a b-line to Griffin. However, you see that huge lane there to Griffin's left? That's the escape route that allows him to use his feet and set this play up. We have to give credit where its due here.

Griffin plays this perfectly by stepping up into the pocket and making plenty of time for himself to get set up to throw the ball by rolling to his left. There are no topside receivers open which is where he was initially looking so now Griffin has to look back to his right and make an incredibly difficult throw. So now the question is, why was Williams open?

Here's Griffin's initial look and as previously stated there's nothing available to the left and the only option is Williams on the right side but he needs some time to let it develop. Williams will first take Proctor inside and then ~~escape~~ release to the outside which puts Proctor out of position.

Here's another angle of the receivers. Williams has to create space to get to the corner and he's about to do it. You just have to chalk this up to good football smarts.

Note where Williams is now as opposed to where he is when he makes the catch.

After reviewing it again its more of a great play by Baylor than it is a bad play by Oklahoma. Griffin bought the extra time and Williams played Proctor out of position and make the clutch catch. Could the Sooners have defended it better? Sure they could have but upon further review it appears that the only thing that went wrong on this play was that Baylor played it perfectly.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Man, you are a glutton for punishment!

I was going to do my normal Film Study, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t think anybody want to relive it anymore than I wanted to rewatch it.

2011 for #12 - You will be missed

Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans

by Jordan Esco on Nov 22, 2011 4:12 PM CST reply actions

I think my blasting of Proctor led me to it

I saw something on the news after our podcast that led me to believe that what I said was wrong. So I watched it to make sure and as it turns out I was wrong.

by ccmachine on Nov 22, 2011 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

Nice analysis cc

by soonermusic on Nov 22, 2011 4:25 PM CST reply actions

Thanks!

by ccmachine on Nov 22, 2011 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Well done cc

I watched film of our high school teams loss from Friday night (ending a 23 game win streak) to true up the stats I gathered during the game. It was somewhat cathartic to go back over it and see what went right and where we fell just short.

Nothing quite like having the other team intercept you in the end zone with four seconds left as you are trailing by a single point. I’m proud of how my favorite teams both battled back against adverse conditions.

Rumor has it that Texas is about to sign a huge corporate sponsorship deal for the Longhorn Network. They just have to decide which brand represents them best: Dyson, Eureka or Hoover.

by It'sTheVoice on Nov 22, 2011 5:29 PM CST reply actions

Except maybe a TD pass as you so artfully diagrammed above...

Rumor has it that Texas is about to sign a huge corporate sponsorship deal for the Longhorn Network. They just have to decide which brand represents them best: Dyson, Eureka or Hoover.

by It'sTheVoice on Nov 22, 2011 5:30 PM CST up reply actions

Nice work

"Nonsense. By all means, move." Doc Holliday, the movie Tombstone.

by kcsoonerfan on Nov 23, 2011 6:27 AM CST reply actions

Nice review CC

I kept this thought in the back of my mind after the loss. Seems to improve the relationship with family and friends.
For me its a game, For them its the future
For me its a loss, For them a loss could end the dream of moving on to the next level.
At worst I will remember a lost game.
At worst they might have to reflect on a lost future.

They are giving it all , For us and themselves, We as fans shouldnt forget that.
Boomer! Waiting on the nex big 12 title this year!

by hufeisenokie on Nov 23, 2011 11:49 AM CST reply actions