NORMAN, Okla. — Junior linebacker Curtis Lofton is leading the team with tackles and probably big hits. Sophomore linebacker Ryan Reynolds has been getting rave reviews for his big plays while recovering from an injury that sidelined him last season.

But the players who don’t get much acclaim are the big guys up front. Head coach Bob Stoops said the defensive line deserves some credit for the way Oklahoma shut down Miami’s run game in Week Two.

“I felt very good about that because I think (Miami’s tailbacks) are excellent backs and even when you’re in position they’re the kind of guys that can make you miss them, get some extra yardage, break something,” Stoops said. “So, I felt really positive. Thought we canceled gaps like we’re supposed to, there was great discipline there in how we defended the run.”

Two of the coaches’ defensive players of the game against Miami were defensive linemen. Sophomores defensive end Auston English and defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger received the honor as the Sooner defense held Miami to 52 yards rushing.

Stoops uses multiple defensive linemen throughout the game, though Granger and redshirt freshman Gerald McCoy have been the starters. Stoops said all of the defensive tackles have been playing well.

“DeMarcus had a fantastic game [against the Hurricanes],” Stoops said. “So, sure, they’re playing well and Gerald is and continues to get better and those other guys are doing well. I mean, again, Steve Coleman, Adrian Taylor got in and also did some nice things so they’re doing a good job in there.”

OU’s defensive tackles have combined for just seven tackles in the first two games. However, Lofton said that the play of the defensive tackles may not be flashy, it makes his job much easier.

“Well, having Granger, GK, Steve and Corey (Bennett) in there … it makes being linebacker easy and real fun,” Lofton said. “Everybody gives us all the credit but really all the credit goes to our D-line because they’re sometimes drawing double teams so all I’ve got to do is run through the gap and make the tackle. So they’re really doing all the dirty work and I get all the credit. All the credit should really go to them.”

The defensive ends have made the most plays of the D-line. English has five tackles, two pass deflections and two sacks for a loss of 16 yards. Senior defensive end John Williams made a momentum changing in last week’s game against Miami.

Williams blew through the offensive line and met Miami’s running back Javarris James head on in the Hurricane’s backfield. As Williams made contact with James, his helmet hit the ball, knocking it loose. Junior cornerback Reggie Smith picked up the fumble and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, giving OU a 21-3 lead. Stoops said he likes the progress he’s seen from Williams.

“He’s doing well,” Stoops said. “He’s a hard playing guy that really goes after it. He’s got good quickness around the corner and is playing well. We expect a lot from John. Like I said he’s got good experience there he’s been on the field a lot his senior year. We want to see him go through the year and continue to be productive like he has been — causing big plays, tackles for loss, getting pressure to the quarterback.”

Senior Alonzo Dotson and junior Alan Davis also see significant playing time at defensive end. English saidwith four players being able to rotate in and out of the lineup, it really helped him stay fresh during the Miami game.

“Yeah it was great having a good, solid rotation,” English said. “We have guys that can come in … and not miss a beat. You know everybody’s coming in and playing for each other it helps everybody be fresh the whole game.”

Despite the success by both the defensive ends and the defensive tackles, there is room for improvement according to defensive ends coach Chris Wilson. Wilson said it’s important for his players to keep their success up to this point in perspective.

“Pressure-wise, we’d like to get more,” Wilson said. “We feel like, obviously you want to get more opportunities for knockdowns and hurries and to me that’s just as important as a sack sometimes.

Wilson said keeping the younger players focused also will be important because of how they tend to look at things.

“They don’t get a national championship out of the two games,” he said. “We’re trying to just keep making progress and keep trying to grow and grow and get better because we’re going to play even better and better opponents as this thing goes.”