MOORE — When Oklahoma safety Jonathan Nelson watched the tape of Oklahoma’s season opener against Utah State, he couldn’t believe it.
Nelson, a senior, had been the vocal leader in the secondary throughout the preseason and had constantly warned younger players what can happen if they slip up.
“Then you see it on tape, and you’re like, no, that’s not me. I did not look like that during practice,” he said Monday.
The Sooner secondary has received the wake-up call after the Sooners were torched for six passes over 30 yards in the surprisingly close 31-24 victory over the Aggies.
It wasn’t like the season opener was some defensive fiasco. The coaching staff totaled it up of the 81 plays and 421 yards Utah State piled up, 340 yards came on 12 plays. The other 59 amounted to less than 100.
But the Sooners can’t accept the bad with the good.
“Those bad plays count, too,” OU coach Bob Stoops said Monday night. “It’s how a secondary guy’s life is. If you play five good and one bad and the scoreboard lights up, it’s a bad day. That’s the nature of playing those positions.”
Cornerback Jamell Fleming gave up a touchdown reception, while fellow cornerback Demontre Hurst had two long passes go over the top of his head.
For both, it was their first career start, and a learning experience.
“I learned that it is important to play the first quarter through the fourth quarter,” Hurst said. “The game can change at any moment. Coaches have been getting on us about playing hard and playing physical. That will help you succeed throughout the game and the season.”
Fleming agreed.
“Be consistent; that’s what I took away from the whole game,” he said.” If we play consistent, we would have controlled that game and done a lot better.”
It should be pointed out that both had interceptions against Aggies. Hurst’s came with a 47-yard return. Fleming’s one-handed grab sealed the victory for the Sooners.
No one has lost faith in them.
“They have to be more consistent,” Stoops said. “I believe, in most cases, they were in position to make plays and will make them.”
The coach said the same about Nelson.
He started the final three games of last season and was one of OU’s best defensive backs.
“I’ve seen him do it enough that I know he can,” Stoops said.
But the Sooners will face a much tougher test when No. 20 Florida State arrives at Owen Field at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday.
“That one is behind us,” Fleming said. “We’re ready to play this game.”
