IRVING, Texas -- Bob Stoops boasted that his team never whined about the injuries that turned a national championship contender in September into a Sun Bowl champion in December.

Tight end Jermaine Gresham never played a snap in 2009 and was drafted in the first round of April's NFL draft. Reigning Heisman winner Sam Bradford didn't make it to halftime of the season opener before an injury to his throwing shoulder eventually required surgery. A rash of other injuries on both lines turned hopes of 14-0 before the season began into a frustrating reality of 8-5 at season's end.

"It happened," Stoops said. "You move on."

And now, the payoff. He has a quarterback in sophomore Landry Jones with 10 career starts when he should have none. He has an offensive line that should be strapped for experience but is full of part- and full-time players a year ago eager for a second run through a Big 12 schedule. His team is good enough for the media covering the conference to pick the Sooners to win the Big 12 South.

Those injuries, at least in part, are to thank.

"We didn't like it as it was happening, but they're definitely -- I believe -- will obviously be more experienced and better players having done it a year ago," he said.

No one benefited from the injuries more than Jones, who threw for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns in his freshman season, often splitting practice snaps with Bradford and being forced into games against BYU and Texas after working during preseason camp and the week before the Red River Rivalry as a backup. After Bradford's season-ending surgery in October, the starting job was his, and that status shifted to a more ingrained team leader through spring camp.

"You can tell he's in command. You can tell how confident he is and sure of what he's doing. … He's a totally different guy had Sam not gotten hurt coming into this year. It's obvious to everyone," Stoops said. "He's very similar to the guys we've had that have had success. Very grounded guy, confident, great worker, similar abilities in how he throws the ball, his process. He's got the same kind of size …. We've won championships, six of them, with five different quarterbacks. That says a lot. And he's in the mold of all those guys."