 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
Texas Tech safety Darcel McBath does not remember any specifics in last year's win against Oklahoma, when Tech shoved the Sooners out of the national championship picture.
"Getting the 'W,' that's all I remember really," McBath said. "I don't remember much of too many plays or anything in particular but just us winning the game."
What about OU's freshman quarterback Sam Bradford, the nations leader in passing efficiency at the time, going down with a concussion in the first quarter?
Back-up quarterback Joey Halzle stepped in for Bradford and OU's offense sputtered as Tech's Graham Harrell manufactured 24-straight points in the first of five-straight wins over ranked opponents for the Red Raiders.
"Oh yeah that did happen," said McBath, whose No. 2 Red Raiders collide with No. 5 OU at 7 p.m. Saturday in Norman, Okla. "It's all a blur. When we're so focused, I don't even think about all the stuff."
If McBath cannot remember it, Bradford probably does not either.
Now the 6-foot-4, 218-pound Bradford is a year older, and he has been playing like it all season. The sophomore is second in the nation with a 188.94 passer rating, fourth in total offense with 343 yards per game and first in touchdown passes with 38.
In OU's last three games, its offense gradually increased its scoring from 58 against Kansas State to 62 against Nebraska and 66 at Texas A&M, so it's no surprise the Sooners rank first in the nation in scoring offense with 51.4 points per game. No other team is averaging more than 50 points a game.
Tech safety Daniel Charbonnet acknowledged Bradford as "the best professional quarterback that we'll face," putting Bradford ahead of Kansas State's Josh Freeman, Kansas' Todd Reesing, Texas' Colt McCoy and Oklahoma State's Zac Robinson. Charbonnet did not specify if he was including practicing against Harrell in his assessment of Bradford.
With his statement, it is clear Charbonnet understands this year's game against OU will have a higher degree of difficulty than 2007.
"Not only because we didn't play against him last year but also because he has a whole 'nother year under his belt," Charbonnet said. "That makes a big difference for a quarterback. Last year he was a freshman. This year he's sophomore with a lot of experience. I think that's what makes the biggest difference."
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said, although installing the hurry-up offense has helped him, Bradford is running the offense equally as strong as former quarterback Jason White did in 2003 when he won the Heisman Trophy and 2004 when he led OU to the national championship game.
"Jason was pretty remarkable in those years in our production and moving the ball," Stoops said. "Now that we've kind of no huddled it and just increased it a little bit more, we're a little more productive now."
In light of Bradford getting another shot at playing Tech, the Oklahoma City native was recruited by Tech coach Mike Leach in 2006, but the signing of quarterback Taylor Potts compensated for Bradford going to OU.
According to the Web site www.scout.com, Bradford was the 17th best quarterback in the 2006 recruiting class, which consisted of Florida's Tim Tebow, Georgia's Matthew Stafford and USC's Mitch Mustain, among others.
"(Bradford's success) doesn't surprise me," Leach said. "After we offered, a bunch of people jumped on board, and he was a really nice individual that I was impressed with. It's good to see him do well."
Last week, in an exclusive interview with ESPN's "College GameDay," - which will be present in Norman for Saturday's game - Bradford was interviewed via telephone, and he said revisiting last year's loss gives him "a little extra motivation" this time around.
"In the film room, coach (Josh) Heupel turned on that game, sitting there having to watch that game and watch the first couple plays, me (playing), then all of a sudden I'm not in there," Bradford said to host Chris Fowler. "Knowing that I wasn't able to be out there just competing with all my teammates and wasn't able to finish the game, it's just really frustrating and kind of puts a sour taste in my mouth."
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