Top-ranked Oklahoma Stoops to play trickery once again

When the game is tight and Bob Stoops is on the other sideline, Big 12 coaches had better beware.

A fake punt call in the third quarter of Oklahoma's 20-13 win over Alabama again reminded everyone in the conference why the Sooners' head man is so tough to plan against.

"I thought it was great -- it worked," Texas coach Mack Brown said Monday. "It was a momentum changer. I thought Bob made a great call."

Few coaches are willing to take gambles in big games like Stoops, who risked the Sooners' No. 1 ranking Saturday night by dialing up a little trickery with Oklahoma at fourth-and-10 on its own 31, the crowd in a frenzy and Alabama trailing only by three points.

The play called for punter Blake Ferguson, someone who hadn't thrown a pass in a game since ninth grade, to toss a pass out in the flat to reserve defensive back Michael Thompson, someone whose career -- and life -- was nearly ended two years ago in a car wreck.

Risky business, indeed.

But it worked, with Thompson hauling in Ferguson's floater after a few juggles and picking up 22 yards. On the next play, quarterback Jason White threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Jones to give the Sooners a 20-10 lead.

"What a gutsy call," new Alabama coach Mike Shula said after the game. "That's why coach Stoops is a pretty good coach. They pick and choose their times when they're going to take their shots, so to speak: when they're going to take a chance for a big play."

Bad memories for Pinkel

The play brought back painful memories for Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, who last season was the victim of a Stoops' fake field goal call that led to a touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion.

"As you look at that, you're talking about a bold call," Pinkel said. "I admire him to do it. I certainly did think about that (fake field goal call last year)."

Stoops has a history of resorting to chicanery when the game is on the line.

In addition to the Missouri game last year, Stoops dipped into his bag of tricks in the 2000 Big 12 title game, calling an option pitch on fourth-and-inches against Kansas State. Quentin Griffin ran for 22 yards on the play, propelling the Sooners to a 27-24 win and into the national championship game.

To Stoops, it's simply a matter of believing that the plays you practice work in games.

"I don't believe that I'd call it if I didn't believe our opportunity to be successful wasn't real good," Stoops said. "I think too much is being made of that play."

Rest assured, however, that his Big 12 brethren took note of the trickery.

"When you play him, you better watch out for that," Pinkel said. "I respect his boldness."

Extra points

Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said middle linebacker Jared Morris will be lost for the season after tearing the patella tendon in his left knee in Saturday's game against Utah. The fifth-year senior underwent surgery on Sunday.

Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson will be sidelined indefinitely after his injury during a victory over McNeese State, forcing coach Bill Snyder to turn to senior Jeff Schwinn. Schwinn has only played in five games for the Wildcats, but Snyder doesn't seem to concerned -- at least not yet. "Granted, we don't have another one who can do all the things Ell can do, but Jeff is very capable," Snyder said. "In practice you see him and say, 'This guy can be playing a lot of places."'

Baylor coach Guy Morriss suggested that quarterback Aaron Karas might not get many more starts if he continues with his error-filled performances. Karas threw three interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the 52-14 loss. Waiting is freshman Shawn Bell. "He's like the rest of our players, he hasn't had a lot of success either," Morriss said. "If he doesn't improve, we'll have to take a harder look at Shawn."