From the King's Pen

Out with the Old. In with the New!

Happy New Year, Sooner Nation! I don’t know about you, but thank goodness it’s 2012!

This past year/season has been a really rough for the Sooners (and fans). But it didn’t start that way. Let’s begin with the Fiesta Bowl victory over Connecticut.

Soon after this BCS bowl win, Sooner Nation was feeling pretty good. Who wouldn’t? Landry Jones, Ryan Broyles and Travis Lewis announced they were returning to OU for “another Big XII Championship and a run at the National Championship”. It sparked excitement that another crystal football was soon to be in the Switzer Center.

Next came National Signing Day, where Stoops and crew signed another quality class, filling some needs and creating better depth. Some incoming freshmen would possibly (and did) see playing time.

Heck, even April’s spring practice was good. No major injuries. Everyone gelling and building chemistry. What could any championship-contending collegiate team wish for?

Then something happened that NO team, collegiate or pro, wants. Sooner linebacker, Austin Box, was found dead in an El Reno home. Austin was a projected starter and finishing his career as a Sooner. Sadly this was the first of many major loses this season.

Ranked #1 in pre-season polls, OU played very well and reeled off 6 straight wins of the 2011 season. Along the way, we discovered runningback Dominique Whaley was more than just a walk-on. We also found out who didn’t “get with the program”. Jermie Calhoun decided he wasn’t going to play despite being 3rd on the halfback depth chart. Too bad for him since he had his chance when Brennan Clay and Roy Finch took turns getting hurt. Tight-end Austin Haywood also bolted for greener pastures.

MY TAKE: Anytime this happens, I always defer to Switzer’s famous quote; “Come to Oklahoma and win championships. Go somewhere else and watch Oklahoma win championships” (or something like that). Defectors as these have their reasons, although it makes one wonder what’s going on inside the program that they came to this decision.

Inexplicably, the Sooners took a week off by not showing up until the mid 4th quarter of the Texas Tech game. The Red Raiders were doing everything right. And the OU offense, defense and special teams were collectively doing it all wrong. Guess they forgot about that ranking, BCS hopes and home-winning streak. This was the beginning of the end of OU’s National Title dream.

The following week against Kansas State, OU’s budding star Dominique Whaley fractured his ankle on the first play of the game. Thankfully a capable Finch took over. This season was looking more bleak with OU losing their leading rusher.

Against the defecting Texas A&M Aggies, OU receiver and record breaker Ryan Broyles suffered an ACL tear and will not finish the year. The Sooners get the win but regrouping after losing your leading rusher and receiver was going to be a serious challenge.

Up next was Baylor and super athlete Robert Griffin III (RG3). The Bears have moved up in talent and it showed. Unfortunately, the OU defense had a “Jekyll & Hyde moment” by not playing as they had in the first 6 games. The offense wasn’t the same without Whaley and Broyles and unable to play catch up. This loss knocked OU’s ranking down a little, but they were not out. They still had a chance.

After trouncing Iowa State, Bedlam had arrived and a lot was on the line: state pride, Big XII Champion and a trip to the BCS National Championship game. This is a game that your play makers show up. Unfortunately, OU’s didn’t. Let it be known that Landry Jones hadn’t thrown a TD in the past 2 games. OU seemed to be out of Sooner Magic and incapable of being competitive. The end resulted in a loss, with a consolation “prize” to the worthless Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Between Bedlam and the bowl game there was a handful of more loses. Jaz Reynolds had been hurt and was not available for the bowl, hurting the WR corp even further. Also, stud freshman running back Brandon Williams was missing family and decided to leave OU (and rumored to transfer to Texas A&M).

To conclude, this wasn’t OU’s year evident by the loss to Texas Tech. Plus, losing your major contributors greatly decreases your chances of winning consistently.

Now that it’s a new year, I can’t wait for a new recruiting class and possibly the return of Mike Stoops! Thank goodness it’s 2012!

Wallpaper: “A Star is Born”

In recognition of former Sooner DeMarco Murray’s big day against the Rams (25 carries for 253 yards; broke Cowboy rookie rushing record AND passed Emmitt Smith’s one-game rushing record), here are new wallpapers for your iPhone and iPad.

Wallpaper: Dominique Whaley “Chase for 8″!

October 15, 2011 – 12:29 pm
Posted in iPad, iPhone Wallpaper, Wallpaper
Leave a Comment

Chase for 8 wallpaper athlete – Dominique Whaley

iPad:

iPhone:

Wallpaper – Grunge OU seal

September 25, 2011 – 12:58 pm
Posted in iPad, iPhone Wallpaper, Wallpaper
Leave a Comment

ipad Wallpaper

iPhone wallpaper

Post Game: OU/Tulsa

I’m starting a post-game blog with thoughts, random observations, or unique finds on the innerwebs that are all about the game or Sooners. I’ll try to be consistent about it so bear with with me.

First up…

The Game.

As I tweeted, after waiting for 8 months for OU football I wouldn’t mind having an 11AM kickoff just this one time. But alas, it wasn’t my call.

Tom Wort, this week's defensive player honored to wear Austin Box's #12, led the team on the field for the first game of the 2011 season.

After the long wait, it was finally, FINALLY, “Football Time in Oklahoma”! The Sooners performed as they should. Fired up (Thanks in part to The Ultimate Warrior’s message to Tom Wort), prepared, and showed no mercy. There was some sloppiness and a few busted defensive plays that lead to Tulsa’s scores, but overall the “sharks” attacked with purpose.

On offense, Landry and Ryan showed they were still a threat. The question was the runningback committee and how effective it would be. Well, it was VERY effective. Brennan Clay and Dominique Whaley were the co-starters and became a hard-hitting 1-2 punch, especially Whaley. This was his coming out party. Folks, we will control and win a lot of games this year having those 2 in the backfield, PLUS having a slasher like Roy Finch.

The final score, 14-47, and a statement that Oklahoma is back and like every year, a serious contender for the National Championship game.

The Intro Video.

Every game starts out with the much anticipated “Intro Video” to fire up fans in the stands. This was (in my humble opinion) one of their best and shows why they win national awards in video production. I have a buddy who works in the Sooner Vision department and props to him and the crew. AWESOME JOB! Here’s the video in case you haven’t seen it…

The Decal.

OU helmet decals

I’ll keep this brief. I was told the decal would change and why, and I’m OK with that. It’s a little disappointing but totally understand the reason.

So Humbled.

I’m you’re typical guy I think. Married with children, trying to make ends meet.

I love college football.

I love doing graphic and web design.

So I combined those passions and created my online alter ego… King (last name) + pen (drawing tool) = Kingpen.

Then add on I’m an alumnus of the University of Oklahoma (Class of 1995!), who loves him some Sooner Football, then my identity changes to OUKingpen.

OK, too much back story.

As every Sooner-lovin’ Okie would do, he follows anything about his team: TV, newspaper, blog, forums, Youtube, twitter, facebook, etc. Just recently, ESPNU followed the Sooner Football team for an All-Access show. Sounded awesome! The episodes ran for a week, and I unfortunately missed them but was able to DVR at least one.

The Video:

One week later (today), I get around to watching this episode on a quick lunch break at home. It begins with how the team will handle the loss of Austin Box and what they are going to do to remember him this season.

Now, being a fan of sports (especially college football as stated above), I hate to hear about an athlete’s injury. And hearing the news about Austin’s death back in May, of course made me (and Sooner Nation) sad for his family, friends and teammates.

On that day in May, I came home after work and quickly created a simple graphic. Just something to remember him. I posted it first here on my blog, then shared it on my Twitter and Facebook for others to use. Oklahomans know how to come together, and this is no different despite it being social media.

As I continued watching this ESPN special, it was then I saw HOW the 2011 Oklahoma Sooner Football Team was going to honor Austin…

A helmet decal.

Not your standard black, round sticker with a white 12. Or even initials.

This decal is my logo. MY logo.

Of all the images to use… of all the options to honor #12… this logo would represent the memory of Sooner Linebacker, Austin Box and to never forget. For this season. At least 12 games.

I don’t know how it happened. There was no contest. No connections inside the university, athletic department, staff or players. No email request. It was just… there.

My reaction was, “………… WHAT?!…………”

I just sat there with sandwich in hand, shredded turkey out of mouth, thinking and staring (because I had to pause it).

To some, it’s just a picture. But to me, a graphic designer… an alumnus… a lover of Sooner Football… This! This was my highlight reel. MY Superman Play!

Being on an official, authentic uniform of the team I love and support. Is one thing.

But being the identifying mark, a symbol, of Austin Box’s life here on earth. You can’t describe that feeling.

And I’ll be honest, and you can call me crazy… I got (and still am) emotional about it. I really did well up.

Now, what do I do about it? Do I cash in and ask my beloved university to pay for the use of my logo? What kind of person, no… what kind of ALUM would I be to do that? What would you do?

I’m a Sooner!

And I am SO humbled.

Sincerely,

OUKingpen

BOOMER!