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As third-ranked Oklahoma heads into its 2016 season opener this Saturday at Houston, one name keeps popping up — a least where the Sooners’ defense is concerned. The Cougars quarterback Greg Ward a focal point for Mike Stoops’ crew, whether it is on the field practicing or talking to the media.

After practice on Tuesday, junior safety Steven Parker talked about Ward and the impact the OU defense can have on the season.

Sooner Spectator: What is the biggest challenge in slowing down Houston’s Greg Ward?

Parker: His speed. You don’t have a lot of quarterbacks that you’re going to see that have his type of potential to move around in the pocket like that. There’s going to be a lot of QB run game. A lot of extra time in the pocket, trying to get him bottled up. That’s something different we haven’t seen in a while.

SS: How has scout team QB Kyler Murray helped the defense prepare for Greg Ward?

Parker: He is always running around, even giving us a look in the secondary. Even if he gets touched, making us basically stay on our man a little bit just to get that memo of you have to stay on your man. You’ve got to make sure that you’re not coming off, you’re not giving him any room necessary for error. It’s definitely great to have, especially a guy like Kyler, because he can represent that type of speed.

SS: How would you describe how the secondary personnel fits together?

Parker: We all fit together. The defense runs through communication. None of us can make a mistake. Defense all has to be on the same page. Us three, playing safety and nickel together, we all have to be on the same page. We all have to make sure we know what we’re doing is right and feeding off one another.

SS: What stands out about the OU defense this year?

Parker: I would say one of the main strengths is that basically everybody is all in. We kind of got that mentality of how we should play last year. Now, we’ve created our own mentality, but it’s the same. We created that culture to where we’re always running to the ball full-speed every play. The communication factor is key.

SS: How excited are you to get out on the field and get the first game under your belt this season?

Parker: Personally, I’m very excited to be out there. The wait is over. We finally get to play some football. Football season is here. I’m excited. The change is going to be great. We are getting out there and getting to butt heads with a different team. It’s going to be great. It’s a big opening weekend. College football is here. It’s a very exciting atmosphere. It’s in Houston, so we already know it’s going to be a hostile crowd. It’s going to be sold out. Blood is going to be pumping. Let’s get it going.