Notre Dame Opponent Preview: Oklahoma Sooners Offense

Oct 20, 2012; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooner receiver Kenny Stills (4) celebrates his first quarter touchdown with receiver Justin Brown (19) against the Kansas Jayhawks at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Landry Jones

The quarterback and senior leader of this offense who stands 6’4’’ 218 pounds, who has played since his freshman year of college when Sam Bradford was battling injuries. This year Jones has really limited his interceptions and only has 3 so far compared to 12 touchdowns. He has thrown for 1649 yards and has a completion percentage of 62.7. Jones makes this offense click. If you put consistent pressure on him, you will force him into mistakes. Oklahoma likes to throw the football, and with a weapon like Jones who can sling it all over the field, can give the Notre Dame secondary some problems. Look for him to attack the freshman KeiVarae Russell. If the defensive line puts pressure on Jones then it could make the secondary look a lot better than it is. With Tuitt, Nix, and Lewis-Moore there will be pressure on Jones, we will just have to wait and see how he reacts to it. Look for Notre Dame to bring zone blitz’s to disrupt the flow of the Oklahoma offense.

Damien Williams

The junior running back at 6’ 208 pounds and runs with purpose. Williams has attempted 74 rushes for 552 with 7 touchdowns, adding a 7.46 yards per carry average. He also has 11 receptions for 134 yards, but no touchdowns. When someone says a complete running back Williams is the guy. He has the speed, toughness, strength, and the ability to run you over or around you. He had a 95 yard run against Texas where he ran up the middle broke a tackle, then juked two guys out of their pants and outran everyone for a touchdown. Notre Dame has faced some good running backs so far this year, but not one that has Landry Jones as the quarterback. The best thing Notre Dame could do is commit to stopping the run like usual and make Oklahoma one dimensional like they did against Miami.

Kenny Stills

A junior wide receiver at 6’1’’ 190 pounds and don’t let his size fool you, because he is one physical receiver. Stills has great ball skills paired with speed and good route running to make him one of the best wide receivers in the country. His ability to catch the ball in coverage is one of the best I have seen in the country so far this year. He will go up and get the football at its highest point and come down with it most of the time. Stills has 38 receptions for 476 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 12.53 yards per catch. He also has 2 rushes for 22 yards on the season. He is their big play threat down the field, the secondary cannot let this man behind them at any time.

Blake Bell

The “Bell-Dozer” the 6’6’’ 254 pound quarterback that is put in to get into the endzone on short yardage plays near the goal line. On the year Bell has had 31 attempts for 59 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns, he has only thrown the ball 12 times completing 7 of those for 87 yards and no touchdowns. Look for Bell in short yardage situations throughout the game.