Oklahoma Football: Five of the Most Dangerous Players Sooners Will Face in 2016
By Chip Rouse
Greg Ward Jr., Houston Cougars Senior Quarterback
Greg Ward, Jr. is a quintessential dual-threat quarterback, exactly the kind that has given Oklahoma defenses all kinds of trouble in the past. Last season, Ward became the first Houston quarterback -and they’ve had plenty of good ones – to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
In 2015, Ward rushed for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he also threw the football for an additional 2,828 yards, completing 67 percent of his passes, including 17 for touchdowns.
The Houston signal caller broke 14 school or American Conference records in the 2015 season, including the Cougar single-season mark for rushing touchdowns, which ranked ninth in the nation. Ward, along with Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, who throttled the Sooners in a 20-point College Football Playoff loss to Clemson, were the only two quarterbacks a year ago who rushed for over 1,000 yards and passed for more than 2,000 yards.
Ward ranked eighth in the nation last season with 16 runs of at least 20 yards, and also had nine rushing attempts that went for 30 or more yards.
In two seasons as the Houston starting quarterback, Ward has a record of 19-2.
Oklahoma will clearly have its hands full with the Houston quarterback in the season opener. If they aren’t able to put quarterback pressure on Ward and allow him to break containment and get outside of the pocket, it could be a very long and disappointing season opener for the visiting Sooners.
Next: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State Buckeyes Quarterback