I have a need to catch up!

I returned last evening from Norman, Oklahoma where a large contingency attended the OU Miami football game. They beat us like a drum and then I think they backed up and rolled over us with the darn thing! The best part of the trip was spending time with Rian and being with lots of friends and family.

Kirby did not have a good day, and that was very frustrating for all of his supporters because we were hoping for a breakout day. I am sure that we were no where near as frustrated as Kirby though. I am wondering if Stoopes had Kirby's number after watching him and having him participate in camps at OU during the time Kirb was recruited.

Don't be foolish, the Sooners are good. Very, very good! They are fast, they are physical and they stay with their assignments. OU ruled the offensive and defensive fronts. The once formidable Hurricane defense was not in attendance. It's very hard for me to believe that at one point in the third quarter there was only an eight point differential. Then the flood gates opened and OU ran up the score! The OU stadium is something else. Very close to the playing field and LOUD! I was very surprised by the football fever Sooner fans were afflicted with!

Miami pulled Kirby about midway of the second quarter. I was somewhat surprised after the past weeks quotes from Coach Shannon. To be honest, I feel like the 'Canes called a different set of plays for Kyle (Kirb's replacement). For a brief period of time Kyle moved the offense and did have a touchdown pass. Then OU went to the blitz which has always been Kyles downfall. Shortly before then end of the third quarter, the coaches put Kirby back in, but by then the game was out of hand.

Rian and I visited about the game from Norman to Wichita Falls where I had left my little pickup and I developed several assessments.

#1. Kirby became frustrated. I would have too.
#2. Kyle came in and did a respectable job for a brief period. I told Rian that Kyle had nothing to loose. Anything that happened with him being on the field could only be positive. Kyle seemed very relaxed in the beginning.
#3. When Kirby returned to the field the play calls were extremely conservative and it appeared Kirby was playing like he was trying to "not make a mistake". I think he needs to go out there and play, not play trying not to loose his job. I know things get out of hand sometimes, but this is still supposed to be a game.
#4. I would like to see the Canes go down the field, both passing and rushing. It seems as though too much of their offense is slow developing, trying to go wide or cross field. I think too many of the Cane's backs, receivers, and kick returners have aspirations of making the "highlight" reels. Too much juke-ing and stuttering. Put that hat down and plow ahead!
#5. I hate the disorganization of the Canes prior to getting in their play formation. No huddle, everyone standing, looking to the sideline for the play call. I think they need to regroup between plays and have an on field general demanding their attention and respect.
#6. The Canes did not play smart Saturday. Lots of stupid mistakes and penalties. It also seemed as though even the television timeouts worked against them
#7. Oklahoma out coached Miami.
#8. The Canes quit.
#9. Athletes at this level are a very elite group.
#10. We will learn a lot about the Miami players and coaches with how they handle getting routed!

And that's all I have to say about that!

Thursday equipment project day was good and bad. Monday we had re-plumbed and redirected the primary hydraulic system but when we tested it we exploded the big power take off (not the small one we had problems with in August). Further inspection Thursday revealed the damage was more extensive than we first thought but still it isn't something we can't overcome. I think K.O. is beginning to understand how frustrating this piece of equipment can be. You fix one thing and it negatively affect something else!

We devised a plan and began putting it in place late Thursday. The PTO exploding actually made it simpler for us to make our decision. Fewer options! One thing that really messes with my mind is the primary hydraulic motor. We had replaced the pump which powers the motor, but we didn't get the results we were looking for. Upon visiting with our hydraulic expert, he told us we had a low torque/high speed motor, that what we needed was a high torque/low speed motor. He brought one to the counter and what the one he says we need is about a third of the size of the old one. That just baffles my mind! He did explain it and it makes sense. He says with the old one were are operating at RPM's that are too slow. We aren't even getting into the power range of the motor. With the new one we will be operating at the top of the power range.

We ordered some sprockets for the chain drives and K.O. was going to pick them up and begin work on the project while I was gone to meet Rian and watch the ball game.

We are inside two weeks to show date! Yeow!

Have a day.

FATHER, rest me well.