Oklahoma receivers have field day against Baylor secondary

Sunday, October 05, 2008

By Chad Conine

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Killeen product Juaquin Iglesias had another successful return to his old Central Texas stomping grounds Saturday.

It probably felt like a return to his own backyard, too, as Iglesias and his fellow Oklahoma receivers found wide-open spaces in the Baylor secondary to play pitch and catch with OU quarterback Sam Bradford at Floyd Casey Stadium.

Oklahoma receiver Manuel Johnson got loose behind the Bears on the Sooners’ third offensive play. Bradford easily found him for a 53-yard score that started a trend that lasted most of the afternoon — Baylor couldn’t keep track or keep up with Iglesias, Johnson and company.

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“Sam put them on the mark today, and we always talk about making the plays that come to us,” Iglesias said. “They were playing kind of soft, so we got a lot of opportunities to get misdirection stuff and get underneath them.”

Bradford used opposite terminology to describe the Bears’ coverage on his 53-yard touchdown pass to Johnson that gave Oklahoma a 7-0 lead 1:10 into the contest.

The Oklahoma sophomore quarterback said Baylor had a man on Johnson right on the line of scrimmage, which allowed Johnson to get lost in the Baylor secondary.

“I think they did bust a coverage because their corner was (close to the line) and they didn’t have a safety over the top of him,” Bradford said. “Manny did a great job of getting through coverage and finding the seam.”

Johnson, who finished with five receptions for 92 yards and the early touchdown, said Baylor’s error allowed him to waltz into the end zone.

“I thought that was kind of easy,” Johnson said, “but I understand it was a busted coverage by them.”

Baylor cornerback Dwain Crawford admitted the Bears missed an assignment.

“It was just a breakdown in the coverage,” Crawford said. “You’ve got to play your responsibilities across the board. If you don’t against a good team like that, you can get exploited.”

Bradford ended the first quarter with 153 passing yards with somewhat effortless 6-for-7 efficiency. At the end of the day, he’d connected on 23 of 31 with one interception.

Iglesias caught two passes for 41 yards in the first quarter, including a 30-yarder that set up the Sooners’ second score. But the ex-Kangaroo didn’t let up after the first 15 minutes. He finished with a game-high six catches for 133 yards and a 42-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Like on Johnson’s score, Iglesias distanced himself from anybody in a green jersey for the score that put the Sooners in front 35-7.

“It was a fast-paced play and I just got behind them,” Iglesias said. “Sam once again put it on the mark.”

It certainly wasn’t the first time Iglesias, an OU senior, made his presence felt at Floyd Casey. In 2006, Iglesias returned a third-quarter free kick 88 yards for a Sooners touchdown. He also had three catches for 29 yards to help Oklahoma ease past the Bears, 36-10.

A 2005 graduate of Killeen High School, Iglesias said he had about 30 friends and family in the bleachers on Saturday.

Iglesias, though playing for the visiting team, was nevertheless a gracious host for the Killeen contingent.

“It makes me feel more comfortable, and I’m glad they can come out here,” Iglesias said. “I know they had fun. I got a few text messages.”

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops praised Bradford along with Johnson and Iglesias.

Bradford finished with 372 yards and two TDs through the air. Stoops didn’t say as much, but Johnson and Iglesias might have made it easy on the Sooner sophomore quarterback.

“Those guys are so capable of making big plays, Manny Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias in particular,” Stoops said. “The receivers had a big day.”

cconine@wacotrib.com

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Comments

By GreenGold75

Oct 6, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

For those who think Baylor should be "playing in a league with SMU" or "dropped to division III" open your eyes and take a look at some of the other scores from Saturday. "Traditional Powers" Nebraska, Texas A & M, Colorado, and Kansas State all lost by around 30 or so points just as we did. And none of them were playing anyone as good as the Oklahoma Sooners. As a matter of fact I see better hope for Baylor to "get there" quicker than most of those other teams. Baylor is going to compete again
under Briles. This will be borne out in time. It wasn't that long ago that Kansas and Kansas State were both 0 & 10 and played each other to a tie.

By B.T.

Oct 6, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Ditto on the option, na. Not many defenses know how to defend it, especially when you have as many options as Baylor does.

If Baylor sees improvement in the secondary and at receiver, this team could go a long way in the future.

First, move Kris Buerk back to WR. He was good there and has shown to be better on the field for us at WR than CB. This has to take place to help both positions.

Next, recruit depth for the secondary. Quit converting kids and get some legit DBs with DB experience. After what I saw on Saturday, the secondary depth chart should be wide open come springtime.

By na

Oct 6, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

are we going to beat iowa state ?

By zembolist coleman

Oct 6, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

What i don't understand is that you have a lot of talant on the sidelines with you. You also have a runningback who should be given a few snaps behind the center to have the oposing defense unsure of what to do when they face a different QB in a situation. You will be also give the actual starting QB a breather plus looking from the sidelines to see the weaknesses on the defense. Look at the NFL team Miami Dolphins they have a runningback taking snaps in the shotgun as to where he could run it or throw it. Not only that it's a great idea,it's working so far. It has the defense baffled,and it's working the morjority of the time. I like what you have going,but I even know you have a quarterback converted into a runningback. I don't mean to be biased because he's my nephew but he's has God given talent. He also has been a winner since grade school and he knows that he is not the only person on the team,meaning there is no I in team.

By David

Oct 6, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

This may be the best Baylor team since 1972-1973. Problem is that they are among the best conferences in the country. Make no mistake, OK had the 27 point spread covered in the 2nd qtr. It could have been a 50 point win easily. Bears are coming but have a long way to go before they get ther. Just be thankful that we may beat AM this year.

By Alan

Oct 6, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

For the past decade I've been driving to Waco for every Baylor - Oklahoma game. I too saw improvement on the field and believe Coach Briles will 'get it done,' if given enough time.

Baylor fans have to leave that part of the program up to Coach Briles and the players he recruits.

On the other hand, if they want to do their part, they can begin by attending games and supporting their team in the stands.

Traditionally, Baylor fans are the nicest in the Big 12.

I attended my first Baylor game in Waco as a boy in 1974, (OU won 28-11). But I was impressed them when after the game when the announcer asked the Baylor fans to 'step aside and let the OU fans exit first, as they have a long drive back to Oklahoma this evening.'

The kindness and hospitality continues to this day, and it's the primary reason why many fans around the conference root for Baylor to make it.

But Baylor fans have to be in attendance in order to make this hospitality, and their passion for the program, more apparent.

By rr

Oct 6, 2008 4:48 AM | Link to this

Well, there have been a few condescending remarks about Georgia Tech (of the ACC) and the logical implication that Big 12 defenses would take care of GT nicely enough. Dare I point out that the ACC is 4-0 vs. the Big 12? Dare I say that, in ACC country, Kansas State, Baylor, A&M, Nebraska, Iowa State, Colorado, Nebraska, while deserving of respect, do not strike fear in anyone's hearts. The jury is still out on Kansas, TTech, and OSU who have all played astoundingly soft schedules. The only 'Big' in the Big 12, so far, is OU, Texas, and Mizzou.

By timesflyin46

Oct 6, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Briles comments that our Bears are closer to the Sooners than the score showed is a ridiculous statement. We do have a quarterback to build the future on even the Sooner fans who were there were very encouraged about his future, as for Briles, I hope he gets it right but if he thinks we are anywhere in the ballpark with OU or the other powers in the big 12 he is either hallucinating or living in his own little world. GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

By null

Oct 5, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

baylor just needs to go to div-III where they can actually win some games. The big 12 is not for them

By KDF

Oct 5, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Kyle, I say this in friendliness. Your comment on this being the best Baylor team you've seen in over a decade -- what do you base this on?? Until Baylor begins winning again, especially against ranked teams, I can't imagine them being as good as they once were. Not yet. <

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