By Wendell Barnhouse
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
Until Saturday night, Baylor receiver KD Cannon was the early favorite to be named the Big 12’s freshman offensive player of the year. In three games, Cannon has 471 yards on 14 catches with five touchdowns; that’s 157 yards per game and 33.6 yards per catch.
But Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine (pronounced sa-MA-jay P-rine) might have something to say about it.
With Keith Ford, the Sooners’ top rusher, sidelined with an injury, Perine stepped in as the focal point of OU’s ground game. Perine had 34 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns as the Sooners defeated West Virginia, 45-33, in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
“He was able to sustain it for four quarters,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. “That tells you what kind of shape he’s in.”
Holgorsen also gave credit to OU’s offensive line for firing off the line of scrimmage and making blocks at the second level. Perine also gave credit to his blockers – he answered 23 questions after the game and in eight of his answers he heaped praise on his linemen.
“He’s a great young guy that way. He was our player of the game but so was the offensive line,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “All the great backs we’ve had recognized they don’t get anything without those guys up front working hard.”
(Timeout for a nickname update: In meeting with the media Monday in Norman, Perine said he preferred “Optimus Perine” as a nickname. That’s obviously a positive transformation from the more mundane “Tank.”)
Perine said his career-high for carries at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, Texas, was 32. Considering his bull-like running style, it’s hard to imagine high school players trying to tackle Perine.
“It was difficult for ‘em, believe me, he’s tough to get your arms around,” Stoops said. “He can handle those carries. After the game, he wasn’t that taxed. He’s exceptional with his conditioning and strength.
“He’s a very special player and we loved him in the recruiting process. Physically, he’s so powerful and strong – he’s got vision, great feet and speed.”
For one game, Oklahoma traded its Ford for a Mac truck. Perine weighs 240 pounds and is already a legend in the weight room. Sooners defensive end Geneo Grissom told Perine that he was happy when two-a-days ended because, “I don’t want to ever tackle you again.”
That could well become a familiar refrain for other defenders around the Big 12.
A Career Ended Too Soon
Texas announced last week that junior quarterback David Ash would not play again. Ash missed most of last season with concussion symptoms and after the season opener – despite not absorbing any noteworthy hits – Ash had headaches and dizziness a few hours after the game was over.
Ash met with the media Monday in Austin. Here are some of his comments:
* "At the core of my heart of hearts, I knew I shouldn't be playing. ... There's so much good life out there besides football."
* "I had a lot of dreams, a lot of hopes...there's still a lot of good life out there."
* "Maybe I’ll get a girlfriend. Who knows. There’s lots of possibilities."
* "If my son wants to play football, I'm going to say go for it."
* “I want them to remember what I stand for more than my abilities. … I would like people to remember me for what's on the inside, for my character and my faith."
* "I've met my quota for crying for the next 10 years."
Quick Slants
* Former Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott is back in Ames training for his next NFL tryout. While he’s there, he’s serving as an unofficial/volunteer linebackers coach. “Just watching the film with him, he watches it unlike any of us do,” his brother, Luke Knott, told the Ames Tribune. “He can teach us different techniques that he has now learned from the NFL. That is nice to have. The more techniques you know, the more different things you can pick up, (learn what) that the offense is doing, it’s going to benefit you.”
* You might have seen the play near the end of the second quarter in the Oklahoma-West Virginia game Saturday night when head linesman Rick Smith was injured breaking up a scuffle. Smith suffered a broken leg and underwent surgery Monday to place three screws in the bone to help it mend. Big 12 crews have an alternate official available to take over if an official is injured during a game.
* Ed Stewart, the Big 12’s associate commissioner for football, was in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday for the Miami (Fla.)-Nebraska game. The Cornhuskers’ 1994 national championship team was honored during the game. Stewart was a starting linebacker and co-captain on that team.
* When Iowa State takes on Baylor Saturday night in Ames, the Cyclones will face one of the two programs they have a winning record against in Big 12 play. Iowa State is 6-5 against the Bears and 10-8 against Kansas.
* Classy Tweet from Dallas Cowboys and former Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray after his OU career scoring record was surpassed by Sooners kicker Michael Hunnicutt Saturday night: “Congrats to @Hunnicutt08 on becoming the new scoring leader at the best university in the world @OU_Football! Keep it going my man! #boomer”
* Alex Ross’ 100-yard kickoff return late in the first half against West Virginia erased a 24-17 Mountaineers’ lead. "That kickoff return was a huge momentum shifter for the game,” OU quarterback Trevor Knight said Monday. And his twin brother Connor, a reserve tight end, through a huge block just inside the Sooners’ 25 that helped spring Ross.
* Presented as a fact, without comment: Based on fewest yards allowed per play, you have to scroll down 12 teams before finding a team from the Southeastern Conference (Ole Miss, allowing 4.3 yards per play). There are three Big 12 teams in the top 12 – TCU, Baylor, Texas.
Coach Speak
Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads on studying Baylor’s offense on film:
“They’re so good they make you want to turn away and not watch. They’re a scary football team and they hung 71 on us last year.”
West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen on his team’s losses to Oklahoma and Alabama – two of the nation’s top four teams:
“Those are two of the best defenses in the country. I won’t be surprised if those two teams keep winning. Maybe we’re the third-best team in the country.”
After his team allowed Arkansas 438 yards on the ground and seven rushing touchdowns, Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked if he thought Oklahoma State would emphasize the running game Thursday night:
“I would. After watching the Arkansas game, I’d try to hand it off every time. That would be something I’d try to attack.”