The Sooner football squad limps back to Norman to take on Oklahoma State in the annual Bedlam Battle today at 1 p.m. on Owen Field.OU is coming off its worst beating in 50 years, suffering a 49-10 setback to the Kansas State Wildcats. The Sooners lost to the Aggies of Oklahoma A&M 47-0 in 1945.The loss last week to Kansas State dropped the Sooners out of the Top 25 and lowered their record to 5-3-1 on the season."Even though I thought we prepared well, I thought we did, we had three good practices," OU Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger said. "I thought we played well in the early part of the game, but as it went along, me made as many mistakes on offense as we possibly can," he said.The Cowboys , on the other hand, just finished up an inspired outing against Colorado this p ast Saturday. OSU led part of the way before finally succumbing to the Buff aloes, 45-22."I surmise that they are playing with some good intensity even though they are young," Schnellenberger said of the Cowboys."They are goin g to a formidable opponent for us, and we had better be ready to play," he said. Schnellenberger mentioned that members of his staff and himself had been in contact with representatives of bowl games who will be watching the Sooners clo sely in the game against OSU."This is going to be very important game for t he state rivalry and for us to get our sixth win," Schnellenberger said. "Should we be able to do this, there some good interest in the University of Oklahoma." In order to qualify for a bowl game, OU must have six victories over Divisi on I opponents. Therefore, the Sooners must defeat OSU or Nebraska to finish the season with the required six wins.The first step to reach that plateau wil l be to beat the Cowboys and the key to that will be to stop their vaunted groun d attack.OSU is led by two first-rate tailbacks in David Thompson and Andre Richardson. Thompson is on pace to become the first 1,000-yard rusher for the Cowboys since Gerald Hudson in 1990, and Richardson was Big Eight Offensive Playe r of the Week against Missouri two weeks ago."Obviously, they run the ball very well. Both Thompson and Richardson are improving backs. They still have th e ability to throw the ball," Schnellenberger said.Throwing the ball has be en a problem with the 'Pokes as OSU Head Coach Bob Simmons has done some quarter back shuffling between two-year starter Tone Jones and redshirt freshman Craig S trickland.They should be assisted, however, by an OU secondary that has str uggled against the pass all season. Last week, they gave up three touchdown passes by Kansas State quarterback Matt Miller.Notes:* Defensive ends Cedric Jones and Rod Manuel returned to practice this week and should play today against Oklahoma State.* Jerald Moore's toe injury is improving but it continues to bother him. The Sooners' leading rusher is questionable for today's game.* Jeff Frazier is not recovering from his knee surgery as quickly as the coaches had hoped. It is unlikely that he will return this season.* OU has had a punt blocked in the last six games, but Schnellenberger will not change the blocking formations."The system is good," he said. "It's been tried and proven. The parts of the system are breaking down."* Schnellenberger said the athletic department has been contacted by the Aloha Bowl and the Independence Bowl. The Sooners will need to win one of the next two games to be eligible for a bowl game.For OU stats, click here. Saturday, November 11, 1995
