OU moving on from Tech loss / LJWorld.com

Sports

Despite crushing defeat, Sooners can’t be bitter with Oklahoma State game looming

By Jeff Latzke - Associated Press Sports Writer

November 26, 2005

Norman, Okla. — Losing to Texas Tech on a controversial final play gave Oklahoma reason to get upset. But instead of getting mad, the Sooners are doing their best to get over it.

Heading into the Bedlam rivalry game this week against Oklahoma State, the Sooners (6-4 overall, 5-2 Big 12 Conference) are concentrating on the Cowboys (4-6, 1-6) instead of on the past.

"That Tech game's over," senior defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek said Tuesday. "We're not going to let that really make us angry or not angry. I just think that one's behind us.

"We know what this OSU game's all about. We know what the series is about. We know how they're going to come and play us. We're just focused on beating them and not really worried about that other one."

Sooners coach Bob Stoops said his players were more angry than disappointed after the 23-21 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, when officials ruled Taurean Henderson extended the ball across the goal line before he was down.

But when he looks back at the game, Stoops said he wasn't focused on that play or two others that were reviewed on Tech's game-winning drive.

Nate Billings/AP Photo

Texas Tech players celebrate a two-yard touchdown run by Taurean Henderson (19) as time expired Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. The play stood as a touchdown after review. Texas Tech won, 23-21.

"There are areas that we could've been better. We realize that," Stoops said. "That is what we're hammering home this week -- the areas that we can improve on, where we can be smarter and play better so we do give ourselves a stronger opportunity to win."

Dvoracek, who was standing only a few steps away from Henderson at the end of the game, said some Sooners were still stewing about the loss, but it was time to get ready to play Oklahoma State.

"No matter who wants to talk about it all they want, it goes down as a loss. That's the way it goes," Dvoracek said. "There's controversial calls all the time. Who knows?

"We lost. That's pretty much the bottom line about it. Unfortunately, it's a tough one. It's one of those games where it seemed like no one should lose. Everyone played so well and played so hard, you kind of wish everybody could just go home a winner. But this is real life, and somebody's got to lose, and we did."

"We've got to bring our 'A' game Saturday to beat Oklahoma State," he added. "If we don't, we're going to lose again."