Onyenegecha: "I will be ready"

Junior cornerback Chijioke Onyenegecha talked about his new starting role after Monday's practice.

Senior corner Antonio Perkins will be out two to four weeks with a strained MCL. Perkins was fitted with a protective soft cast today and he said he was feeling pretty good. However, Perkins is certainly out at least two weeks and junior Chijioke Onyenegecha will start in his place.

Onyenegecha may have started opposite Perkins if he had remained healthy. Onyenegecha was outstanding against Texas and was the best corner on the field for the Sooners against the Longhorns. Onyenegecha will draw his first start for the Sooners against Kansas State this Saturday.

Following practice on Monday, Onyenegecha talked to OUInsider.com for the Two Minute Drill.

JH: You had a great game against Texas. Is it safe to say that you have totally adjusted to D-1 competition?

CO: “Of course. I have been working very hard since the spring to get back in shape. I have been prepping and getting ready and getting ready for my time to come.”

JH: What has been the biggest adjustment for you up to this point?

CO: “The biggest adjustment is just coming to practice and concentrating every day. Every day you can’t lose focus on getting better and learning the game plan. Every week have something new and the coaches throw a lot of new stuff at us, so you have to be ready. The biggest thing is to just concentrate and stay focused.”

JH: I know you would rather not get this opportunity due to injury, but you do get an opportunity here. Are you ready to take advantage of it?

CO: “Like our coaches say, when you get your opportunity you have to be ready. I didn’t know when it was going to come, but I have been practicing hard and I have been on special teams. I have been working hard for when my time comes, and it has finally come. My coaches have said always be ready. I will be ready.”

JH: What did you think of the Texas game?

CO: “It was pretty exciting considering it was my first experience at the OU-Texas game. The crowd was amazing with all the people there for a big game like that on national TV. It was a fun game to play in with the crowd support and all that. It was exciting.”

JH: What did you think of the atmosphere surrounding the game?

CO: “It was overwhelming. I like the fact that we all had a great time, especially when we got a win.”

JH: What did you think of the fact that every single play is a big deal?

CO: “That was new experience for me. When there was a fumble recovery one side of the stadium went wild and the other went silent. It was all new for me, so I was just going with the flow.”