All Sooners

How Preparation Helped Oklahoma Stop UCF's 2-Point Conversion Attempt To Tie Game

Kendel Dolby made another big play for the Sooners' defense, which sniffed out double pass try in come-from-behind win.

Tim Willert

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NORMAN — Oklahoma's defense gave up some big plays against UCF on Saturday, including a 12-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and 10 that cut the Sooners' lead to 31-29 with 1:16 left in the game.

The Sooners also made some big plays in the game, none bigger than Kendel Dolby's tackle of running back of Xavier Townsend on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

Townsend caught a backwards pass from quarterback from John Rhys Plumlee and looked to throw to a receiver in the end zone when Dolby dropped him near the 10-yard line.

"It looked like he was trying to throw it, but my job is to just go get him," Dolby said.

Asked if he knew the intended receiver was covered in the end zone, Dolby said "I didn't realize it, I was just running to the ball, really."

OU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) recovered the onside kick and ran out the final 1:16 to complete the comeback win and stay undefeated.

"They were prepared for the 2-point play," head coach Brent Venables said of his defense. "I'm disappointed in the touchdown play. It shouldn't have happened, but it's stuff we've got to get better at."

After OU extended its lead to 31-23 on Gavin Sawchuk's 30-yard touchdown run, the Knights answered with a 75-yard drive drive that took 1:57 to complete. 

Plumlee completed passes of 39 yards to Randy Pittman on third-and 15 and 19 yards to Javon Baker to give the Knights a first down on the Sooners' 12-yard line.

On fourth down, Plumlee found Baker behind safety Billy Bowman in the right corner of the end zone to pull UCF to within two points.

The 2-point conversion attempt followed and the Oklahoma defense was ready for the possibility of a trick play.

"Knowing the DNA of a team is big, and their DNA is trick plays," Dolby said after the game. "So, yeah, having that mindset and understanding what their process is and what they want to get you in, it helps a lot."

Dolby said he had seen a version of the play on film.

"It's definitely a mental game," he said. "Like I said, their DNA is trick plays, you know, motion, kind of get the defense out of whack. But, you know, we watch a lot of film and prepare well."

For Dolby, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound junior who shares playing time with starter Dasan McCullough at the cheetah position (a combination of linebacker and safety), big plays are becoming the rule rather than the exception.

His two interceptions, including one against Texas to end a first-quarter scoring drive, are tied for the team lead. He had just two tackles against UCF, but his last saved the day

"It's helped my confidence a lot, you know, making plays," he said. "Whatever I can do to (help) the team, whatever I can give to the team, I'm going to do it. I'm going to keep doing it, and it's been helping me a lot. My confidence has definitely been building."

For all of the Sooners' lapses Saturday, defensive coordinator Ted Roof said he saw a "disciplined football play" on the 2-point conversion attempt.

"It looked like it was going to be a double pass and the coverage guys stayed in coverage and the guy that was supposed to come get his man came and got his man and tackled him," Roof said. "Usually when that happens some good things happen."

"To Dolby's credit, he's been involved in several big plays, a guy that moved positions and has done a good job working at the cheetah spot and continue to develop and get better, and he's going to do that because, again, he's another guy that's prideful and humble."

OU, an 18-point favorite against UCF (3-4, 0-4), has plenty to clean up on defense after escaping with a win Saturday. 

"UCF's a good team. I don't think people really realize that," Dolby said. "We knew that they were going to make plays, but it was really about how were were going to respond. And we responded."

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Tim Willert
TIM WILLERT

AllSooners staff writer Tim Willert has covered news and sports for 29 years as a reporter and editor for daily and online publications, including The Oklahoman and The Norman Transcript. 

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