Late in 2010, Oklahoma’s three-back “Diamond” formation helped carry the Sooners to five consecutives wins and the Big 12 title.
Could the “Belldozer” formation do the same in 2011?
OU’s new short-yardage formation featuring third-string quarterback Blake Bell has worked wonders the past two games, and coach Bob Stoops said Tuesday the Sooners will use the off week to expand the package.
“This will be a great week to give it some more attention and expand on it a little bit and get everyone more comfortable with it,” Stoops said Tuesday during his weekly press conference.
During the first half against Texas A&M, Bell turned six carries into four first downs and a touchdown. He added a four-yard touchdown in the second half, and finished with 37 rushing yards on 12 carries.
“It’s really been an advantage with third down efficiency and red zone scores,” Stoops said. “The more and more comfortable he gets, the more he’ll improve at it.”
Stoops said he wants to add more passing plays to the Belldozer. So far, the Sooners have called only one pass play out of the set, and it resulted in a short incompletion.
“I want us to develop more throwing out of it,” Stoops said. “I don’t care where it’s at on the field. He can throw the play-actions we’re throwing with (Landry Jones) anyway.”
Stoops said the Sooners are not going to get carried away with overusing the set. But like the Diamond last season, he said the Belldozer could be a big factor down the stretch.
“We’re always going to throw the ball and hand it off to the backs,” Stoops said. “But to have a guy like Blake who can handle the hits, who’s a little better runner who can avoid the hits, run it 10-12 times a game, sneak it in there – it gives you more to consider, sure. It’s a different dimension that you have to consider.”
