ps--forecast calls for RAIN.
If you have been watching the ESPN Classic replay of the University of Miami's national championship victory against Oklahoma on Jan. 1, 1988, time to fast forward.
Faster.
These 2007 Oklahoma kids can catch -- and catch, and catch . . .
On Saturday in Norman, Okla., the Canes, whose pass defense proved vulnerable up the middle against Marshall, will face a Sooners team with nine players who totaled 25 catches for 403 yards and three touchdowns against North Texas.
''The quarterback is a freshman, but he plays like a senior,'' UM safety Kenny Phillips said of Sam Bradford. ``He's surrounded by great athletes.''
Malcolm Kelly, a 6-4, 219-pound junior dubbed ''King Kelly,'' had 993 receiving yards in 2006. Last Saturday, he caught four passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in OU's 79-10 victory. Juaquin Iglesias, a 6-0, 202-pound junior, had seven catches for 128 yards -- and took one ruled a lateral 41 yards.
Meanwhile, back in Miami, the Hurricanes allowed passes of 28 and 44 yards in the first quarter, and a 28-yard reception that was called back because of a Marshall holding call. In the second quarter, Marshall's 32-yard pass allowed it to advance to the UM 24-yard line. But its kicker missed a field-goal attempt.
The only similar damage in the second half was a 21-yard pass late in the fourth quarter.
UM coach Randy Shannon blamed the catches on ''miscommunication'' among the linebackers and defensive backs. ''We just had too many busts. It was everybody, everybody -- not one guy,'' he said.
Even though UM intercepted four passes last weekend (one by a defensive back), ''busts'' could make the difference vs. Oklahoma.
TOP-RANKED OFFENSE
After the first week, the Sooners are ranked No. 1 in scoring and No. 4 in passing. Their ample offensive linemen also are tied for No. 1 in sacks allowed -- none.
''They've got a good, solid secondary,'' Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said of Miami. ``In the end, we've got to be able to do it this week, whether it's create confusion or being able to beat coverage.''
Cornerback Randy Phillips is expected to cover Kelly much of the time. Phillips is up for the challenge.
''Mistakes happen,'' he said of the opener. ``We weren't playing the coverage right, or it was probably a new look. We hadn't seen everything, and teams are going to try to do that kind of thing, especially if they're the underdog. But we made adjustments, came back out and stopped them.''
Phillips was asked if the Sooners would try to take advantage of the UM secondary, which is ranked 54th nationally after one week (183 passing yards allowed).
''That wouldn't be smart on their part,'' Phillips said, ``because it would be getting away from what they do best. If that's what they happen to do, then hats off to them. We'll shut it down. It won't be like [Marshall]. We're more prepared.''
DeMarcus Van Dyke, a true freshman who plays opposite Randy Phillips, said he's eager for the biggest test of his young career.
''The coaches have been riding me hard about my technique,'' he said. ``I expected that. I'll be ready. I got an opportunity so I've got to run with it now.''
A WORK IN STUDY
According to safety Kenny Phillips, the UM defense has been watching and studying more film this week.
''We knew what to do,'' he said, ``but guys weren't talking. It's going to be a loud, loud stadium, so we're focusing more on making the checks. When you get anxious and try [too hard] to make plays, bad things happen sometimes.''
Nickelback Chavez Grant said the Hurricanes have fixed any problems. But he still expects the Sooners to attack the secondary.
''Every offense does that when they see a few big plays, whether it's the run or the pass,'' Grant said. ``The defensive backs [Oklahoma] played against are not like ours. We have some of the best talent in the nation.''
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