When coach Bob Stoops released the Sooners' depth chart for the Tulsa game, junior Dominique Whaley was listed as the co-starter at running back. It was a move many people brushed off as simple strategy.
Stoops was trying to send a message to his other running backs, people said. He was just making a point.
Turns out, there wasn't just one point that was made, there were 24 of them — by the walk-on running back.
Whaley proved Stoops right — and the nay-sayers wrong — by rumbling through Tulsa 18 times for 131 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the Sooners' 47-14 win Saturday night at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The junior transfer from Langston University set the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a game by an OU walk-on player, and he broke the school record for rushing yards in a career debut.
Whaley etched his name in Oklahoma's record book next to DeMarco Murray, joining the former All-American as the second Sooner to have four rushing touchdowns or more in a season debut. Murray had five in his debut in 2007.
Oh, and he also added his name to a list of six other Sooners who ran for 100-plus yards in a career debut — a list that includes Adrian Peterson.
The depth chart wasn't just a ploy, was it?
"I told you guys he was a good football player," Stoops said. "You guys don't listen to me."
All apologies, coach.
Whaley has been a player who has generated a lot of buzz from the Sooner coaches, someone who has made his mark at practice.
But with high-profile running backs such as Brennan Clay, Roy Finch and Jonathan Miller on the roster, nobody could have seen Whaley coming.
Except, of course, the guys who see everything.
"If you've been around our program, there's a reason that his name has popped up," OU co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel said. "He's played extremely well for us, dating back to two springs ago when he wasn't eligible but he got an opportunity to compete and play in scrimmages."
After the game, Stoops called Whaley strong and dependable, but most of all, a hard worker — something the running back attributed his break-out performance to.
"I'm a very hard worker, and I just kept my feet moving out there," Whaley said. "But I feel like I can get out there and be better."
Better than a record-setting performance?
"I feel like I can be the best," Whaley said. "I want to be the top running back in the country."
This is coming from a guy who doesn't even have a scholarship — something Whaley said he feels he's close to earning. After a night of scoring a touchdown for every 4.5 carries, that scholarship is surely closer in sight.
When Whaley entered the game for OU's second offensive series, people questioned how long Stoops would keep him in the game. When Whaley scored his first touchdown — a two-yard run — people were amused that a walk-on struck first for the Sooners. When Whaley scored his second, third and then fourth touchdown, the message was heard loud and clear.
Stoops wasn't needing to play games with his running backs, he was just playing the running backs he needed to win.
And that includes the guy who is playing without a scholarship — for now.
