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Canes Running Backs Hit A Wall

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2007

Updated: 09/09/2007 01:11 am

NORMAN, Okla. - After racking up 260 rushing yards last week against Marshall, Miami's rushing offense stuttered against Oklahoma.

The Hurricanes had just 52 yards - including 34 by Javarris James and 16 by Graig Cooper - on 35 rushing attempts.

'What was the difference?' UM coach Randy Shannon asked. 'It was the same line, same tight ends, same running backs. The only difference is that these guys got to trust and believe that no matter if it's Oklahoma, Marshall, Florida International, Central Florida, whoever we play, they have got to trust and believe that it's going to work.'

WRIGHT UNFAZED BY FANS: Oklahoma's Memorial Stadium was crammed with 85,357 fans. It was the largest crowd in Sooner history and the biggest audience for a sporting event in the history of the state.

QB Kyle Wright said he was excited, not intimidated.

'I was as calm as I am right now,' Wright said. 'I've been in a lot of big situations, and you know, it was fun.'

WHAT RIVALRY? Although much of the media hype building up to the Miami-Oklahoma game focused on the teams' storied rivalry, Stoops said he tried not to dwell on history.

Oklahoma lost only three games from 1985-87. All three came against the Hurricanes.

'The only time I mentioned it was on Monday, and that was out of respect for the great players and coaches who were part of that rivalry,' Stoops said.

Matt Baker

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