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Saturday, November 21, 1998
Sooners prepare for seniors' -- and perhaps
Blake's -- finale
By OWEN CANFIELD
Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma coach John Blake thinks the seniors
who play their final game Saturday against Texas Tech should be
remembered for a lot more than wins and losses.
"They're guys who not only did I help keep their heads
up, they helped me keep my head up," Blake said. "They're
guys out there really doing a great job of stepping up and helping
these young kids get through adversity."
There has been plenty of that during the career of these seniors.
Those who have been on campus five years have played for three
coaches -- Blake, Howard Schnellenberger and Gary Gibbs -- and
have never finished above .500.
Oklahoma's 4-6 record this season and 11-22 mark under Blake
have prompted speculation he won't be back. Regents have called
a special meeting for Sunday to consider Blake's performance and
contract.
The records also might indicate that the program has slipped,
although at least one senior says that isn't the case.
"You come to me my freshman year and ask me how the character
of this team is, it was horrible," tight end Jason Freeman
said. "We had a group of guys here and there that destroyed
the team, and you don't see this on this football team this year.
That comes a lot from the seniors.
"It starts from top down, and none of the seniors are
fighting each other or yelling at each other or pointing fingers
at each other. And I think that shows a lot of character on our
part, that when things go bad, look at yourself, don't look at
everybody else."
Like Freeman, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg came to Oklahoma
expecting to compete for conference titles and make annual trips
to bowl games. The Sooners haven't been close to doing either
during his four years, but he has no regrets.
"It hasn't gone (well) teamwise, but I've had a lot of
fun," he said. "I'm doing what I always wanted to do,
and that's be a Sooner and play for the Sooners."
Blake's future with the Sooners appears to be uncertain at
best. While media speculation has swirled about his future during
the past several weeks, no one in the administration has firmly
stepped forward on Blake's behalf.
University President David Boren issued a statement in October
saying the players and coaches deserve fan support, and that he
trusted athletic director Joe Castiglione to make the right decision.
There was some optimism this year when the Sooners won their
first two games. But those were followed by close losses to California
and Colorado, and a blowout loss to Texas.
While the defense in general has played well, the offense has
been inconsistent. Jake Sills will make his fourth straight start
at quarterback Saturday, but he is the fourth player to start
at least one game at that position.
Texas Tech has two of the league's top offensive players in
tailback Ricky Williams and receiver Donnie Hart. The Red Raiders
are coming off a big victory over Texas, and would like victory
No. 8 to enhance their bowl status.
And, they no doubt will be mindful of what happened a year
ago, when they were 20-point favorites but lost at home to the
Sooners, 32-21.
"I don't think there is any doubt this is a very important
game for us," coach Spike Dykes said. "That was really
a disappointing loss we had to them last year, and I think when
that happens it does make you aware of a lot of things.
"We got outplayed by a team that played better than we
did and deserved to win. We've got to play at our very best level
and if we do, we've got a chance."
The game will mark the return of former OU offensive coordinator
Dick Winder, who now is receivers coach for the Red Raiders, and
the apparent departure of Sooner tailback De'Mond Parker.
Parker said Tuesday he was "93 percent" sure that
he won't be back for his senior season. He is the first Oklahoma
player to rush for 1,000 yards three times, and he's fourth on
the career rushing list.
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