OU football team preparing for stiff defensive test

OU will face one of the better secondaries on its schedule when the Air Force Falcons visit the No. 7 Sooners on Saturday.

Three starters return to the Falcon secondary after last season where the starting defensive backs accounted for 18 interceptions. Of those, 10 came from the two starting cornerbacks — junior Anthony Wright and senior Reggie Rembert.

Wright and Rembert both received all-conference honors last season in the Mountain West — Wright making first team while Rembert made second. This season, the Falcons are allowing 168.5 passing yards per game after allowing 154 last season.

Receivers coach Jay Norvell said while the name Air Force might not carry the weight of other teams on the schedule, the Falcons’ corners are quality players.

“They’re good corners, they’re opportunistic, they’re all-league players, they turn the ball over, they hit you on the perimeter —they’re impressive,” Norvell said. “So our kids, when they see that film they’re challenged and it’s going to be important that we bring it this weekend.”

Last week, the Sooners moved the ball thanks to their air attack. Sophomore quarterback Landry Jones was 30-40 for 380 yards and four touchdowns.

Many players also stepped up to give Jones and the offense additional receiving threats. Each of Jones’ touchdowns passes went to a different receiver.

Jones said Air Force’s defense will test the Sooners.

“Their secondary is made up of guys who are aggressive, they’re fast and they play the ball well, so it’s going to be a really good challenge for us to go against them,” he said.

Clark Foy

Clark is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Staff Writer and Men's Basketball Beat Reporter.