Sooners expect wide receivers to step up

Outside of junior wide receiver Ryan Broyles, none of OU’s receivers put up significant numbers Saturday against Utah State.

However, coaches and players alike are confident two of the more experienced members of that group, senior wide receiver Cameron Kenney and junior wide receiver Dejuan Miller, will improve that in the near future.

“Dejuan played good for us last year, and Cameron came out and has obviously shown what he can do around here,” redshirt sophomore quarterback Landry Jones said. “They’re going to be good players, and I’m excited to see what they can do on Saturday.”

Kenney had two receptions for 20 yards and Miller had two receptions for 19 yards against the Aggies, and neither of them scored a touchdown. Kenney had a touchdown catch that was called back because of an illegal motion penalty.

Even though it didn’t necessarily show up in Kenney’s statistics, coach Bob Stoops said the Georgia product had a solid game.

“I’ve noticed him being more consistent and competitive and making plays, and he did play well,” Stoops said. “So it was big to see him step up and become a guy that you can go to and count on.”

Kenney’s production wasn’t solely on offense. He also contributed on special teams with a 31-yard kickoff return.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity to have,” Kenney said. “Certain guys stepped out so I had to get in on the kickoff return and just tried to make the best of it I could.”

Kenney said he has a good comfort zone with Jones, and even though his coaches said the quarterback was rushing through his checks, he didn’t even notice.

“I didn’t even know he was rushing, I thought he was doing good,” Kenney said. “If they say he was in a rush then I guess he was. But everything felt good out there we just had some small mistakes offensively and defensively that we’re going to get changed.”

Despite all the negative press and publicity that has come from the close win Saturday, Kenney said his confidence will remain high and the game will be a building block for the remainder of the season.

“There were definitely a lot of positives,” Kenney said. “A lot of receivers made plays, DeMarco had a great game, Landry got the jitters out so now it’s go-time and everyone’s ready to get it going for the next game.”

Aaron Colen

Aaron is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Staff Writer, Sports Editor and Staff Writer.