Norman, Okla. ? Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables echoed coach Bob Stoops’ disappointment in the way the Sooners’ touted defense missed tackles Saturday in the 24-17 victory over Alabama-Birmingham.

But linebacker Rufus Alexander was most critical.

“We were just bad, period,” he said. “No excuses. We were terrible.

“It did surprise me. As a defense, we pride ourselves on good defense and tackling. That’s one thing we have to work on and get a lot better at.”

Venables counted 115 yards given up after Sooners whiffs.

“Obviously that’s discouraging (and) disappointing,” he said. “But at the same time, some of our over aggressiveness hurt us.

“One thing that jumped off the screen as we watched it (on tape) is how hard we played from the first snap to the very end and how hard we chased the ball. Guys missed that have not missed a bunch of tackles, too. So that leads you to believe that (the defense) will see it for what it is and we will get it corrected.”

Stoops said he doesn’t want talk, he wants results today in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Washington.

“I do believe (the tackling) can get better,” Stoops said. “But I want to see it. I get tired of reading what guys are supposed to do. They need to do it.”