Oklahoma vs. TCU: Sooners’ Players of the Game

Oct 5, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) is sacked by Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Charles Tapper (91) in the first quarter of the game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Nelson

Corey Nelson was leading the Oklahoma Sooners in tackles with six when he injured his shoulder and had to leave the game. Nelson never came back. Not only that, but the minute that Nelson left injured, the Oklahoma defense could no longer stop TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin from scrambling and moving the chains.

This is not to say that the OU defense can’t stop a team without Corey Nelson, but it does show how important he is to the Oklahoma Sooners. Here is what OU did in the first half with Nelson on the field. They held Boykin to 17 passing yards and the TCU rushing attack to negative one yard. They did not allow a first down the entire first half.

With Nelson out most of the second half, OU gave up 149 passing yards and 43 rushing yards, along with two touchdowns and a field goal. If not for that amazing first half, with Nelson leading the way, OU could have lost this game.

Trey Millard

Trey Millard lined up behind Blake Bell in the second quarter and ran for a touchdown on a straight handoff. Millard, one of the most athletic and talented players on the offense, rarely gets to run with the ball, so when he got the chance here, he went straight for pay dirt. That was his only carry of the game, and he didn’t have a reception either. However, guess who was the big blocker for most of Bell’s runs. Yep, Trey Millard is a guy who is a big influence while barely appearing on the stat sheet.

Charles Tapper

I really wanted to put Eric Striker here, but that possible face mask that gave TCU a second life hurt him. Plus, while he was disruptive, Charles Tapper was more dominant in the game. The big defensive lineman was on a tear in this game. With Nelson and Julian Wilson both falling to injuries, Tapper had to make sure to hold the defense together. They gave up some big plays in the second half, but they did what was needed. Tapper finished with two sacks in the game as well as five tackles, two for a loss.