Oklahoma

3 Sooners Takeaways: Oklahoma Barely Squeaks By Houston; Concern Mounts In Norman

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1 year ago

September 11, 2024

3 Sooners Takeaways: Oklahoma Barely Squeaks By Houston; Concern Mounts In Norman

“A win is a win.” Every University of Oklahoma player we talked to after the game said that exact quote. It is true — even if the Sooners won by four points in a game in which they were favored by four touchdowns. But alas, the Sooners are 2-0, just like they are supposed to be.

That said, OU fans have every right to be concerned right now. That leads directly into my first takeaway.

OU is WAY behind schedule

Let’s start with what should be the easiest fix. No more stupid penalties! A silly personal foul penalty stops the clock with under a minute left and forces the Sooners to punt the ball back to the Cougars, giving Houston 29 seconds to try to go win the game. You just can’t leave the door open like that. Especially, not in the SEC.

Now to a harder fix: the offensive struggles. All spring and summer we heard about how new Offensive Coordinators Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley were about to run the ball right down opponents’ throats. Instead, OU rushed for just 75 yards against a team that surrendered nearly 200 a week ago to UNLV. Starting running back Gavin Sawchuk had four carries for four yards. After the game, Brent Venables chalked the run game issues up to struggles across the board.

Coach Venables said, “[There was] too much penetration at times for sure. No doubt, we have to be a lot better,” he added, “[We] need to go back and see if we were making the right cuts and the right reads. We have to make people pay in the back end too- we have to make plays throwing the ball as well.”

To make matters worse, the Sooners don’t have much time to get back on schedule. Tulane took a really good Kansas State team to the wire Saturday and the Green Wave will be hungry when it comes to Norman next Saturday.

OU officially has a ‘3rd down’ problem

Brent Venables had high praise for his punter after the game. Luke Elzinga had 8 punts, pinning 5 of them inside the 20 yard line. Venables also had a concerned chuckle, almost in disbelief, recognizing it probably isn’t a good sign when he’s “coming to a press conference and bragging on our punter.”

The Sooners were 1/12 on third down last week. It was Week 1, and the offensive game plan was vanilla, so there was reason to believe it could be an anomaly. After going 4 of 14 on third downs this week, it is time to sound the alarm.

I asked OC Seth Littrell about the issues after the game. He said, “There were a lot of opportunities that I felt like we had that we did not capitalize on… I have to man up and look myself in the mirror first. We will figure out if they were good or bad calls when it is all said and done. At the end of the day, we have to execute better.”

The most noticeable struggle — a QB draw on 3rd and 11 in Houston territory early in the fourth quarter. The conservative play call picked up 5 yards and a loud collection of boos from the crowd. It would lead to a missed field goal.

An improved run game would help the offense stay on schedule, setting up more third-and-short and third-and-manageable situations. Crucial drops by fill-in wide receivers didn’t help either. Sooner fans are rightfully anxious for Nic Anderson to return to the field… soon!

Defense wins championships… and, apparently, close nonconference games

It wasn’t always pretty on defense (see 44-yard Houston touchdown to open the second half), but in the biggest moments, the defense made its biggest plays.

Early in the fourth quarter, Robert Spears-Jennings jumped a hook route for an interception, setting the offense up inside the red zone. If the Sooners get points there, the game may have been blown wide open.

But they didn’t capitalize.

Then with under two minutes left to play, Gracen Halton makes the play in the backfield for a safety. Those were the only points OU would score in the second half. It also gave the ball back to the Sooners so they could milk the clock. CLUTCH.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Danny Stutsman’s 15 tackles, 12 of them solo tackles. That’s unbelievable from an All-American-caliber linebacker who only seems to be getting better. And one who is still hungry, saying after the game that he didn’t feel like he tackled very well.

Tulane is coming with a vengeance this Saturday… Tennessee making a visit September 21st.

The Sooners better wake up!

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Oklahoma

Six bridges damaged by semi truck hauling ‘illegally over-height’ load, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says

Published

9 minutes ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Six bridges damaged by semi truck hauling ‘illegally over-height’ load, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority says

Oklahoma authorities are investigating multiple bridge strikes that occurred along the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike on Tuesday afternoon.

On December 16, 2025, “an illegally over-height commercial motor vehicle drove this afternoon from Tulsa to near Miami,” causing damage to “multiple county bridges above the I-44/Will Rogers Turnpike,” according to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA).

The OTA notes that “it is illegal for trucks taller than 14 feet to travel the state highway system without permits and approved routes. The bridges damaged today range from 14 feet and 11 inches to 15 feet and 4 inches in vertical clearance, well above the legal limit.”

OTA

“We are continuing to see damage to our state transportation infrastructure from illegal, over-height semi-trucks. This is a critical issue that puts the traveling public at risk and is unacceptable. We are extremely grateful no one was injured in this incident,” OTA Executive Director Joe Echelle said. “We implore truck drivers to follow all Oklahoma laws and work with the state’s Size and Weights permitting office to ensure that all travelers are safe on our roadways and that our infrastructure remains undamaged by these careless acts.”

Officials say that the following bridges were struck:

E. 530 Rd. – closed between S. 4130 Rd. and Lakeway Rd.
S. 4220 Rd. – closed between E. 460 Rd. and E. 470 Rd. east of Claremore
N. 429 Rd. – closed between E. 390 Rd. and SH-28
N. 4300 Rd. – closed between E. 380 Rd. and W. 390 Rd.
N. 4310 Rd. – open
W. 370 Rd. – open

The Will Rogers Turnpike is open, but drivers should expect temporary delays as crews continue to inspect the damaged bridges.

“OTA is working closely with officials from Rogers County, City of Claremore, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ODOT in response to this incident,” the agency said.

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Oklahoma

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the College Football Playoff: TV/streaming info and more

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the College Football Playoff: TV/streaming info and more

For the second time this year, we’ll see Oklahoma and Alabama face off in a pivotal showdown.

The Sooners (10-2) will host the Crimson Tide (10-3) for a College Football Playoff showdown Friday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The last time these teams faced off, Oklahoma came away with a 23-21 win over Alabama on the road.

Will Oklahoma once again topple Alabama? Here’s everything fans should know about Oklahoma-Alabama in the CFP:

How to watch Oklahoma-Alabama in the CFP

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19

Where: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma)

TV: ABC/ESPN Streaming: ESPN app

A prime-time showdown

None of the four first-round College Football Playoff games overlap, but Alabama-Oklahoma really takes center stage.

With the other three games on Saturday, including Texas A&M-Miami, this game is the only one on Friday night and doesn’t overlap with any of Saturday’s NFL action like Tulane-Ole Miss and James Madison-Oregon do.

It shouldn’t be as cold as it has been lately in Norman, Okla., as early forecasts are expecting temperatures in the lower-50s and upper-40s on Friday. Combine that with a 7 p.m. kickoff that gives Oklahoma fans plenty of time to tailgate and get riled up for the game, and “The Palace on the Prairie” should be a sight to behold as it hosts its first CFP game.

Oklahoma-Alabama head-to-head

Oklahoma and Alabama have faced off eight times in the past. The Sooners lead the all-time series 5-2-1. As we mentioned above, Oklahoma won the latest matchup in the 2025 regular season.

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— Brent Venables’ aggressive defense gives Oklahoma different look than past CFP teams

— Final College Football Playoff bracket: See where Texas Tech, A&M and Oklahoma landed

Find more Oklahoma coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Oklahoma

Children’s mental health facility reopens in Northeast Oklahoma

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Children’s mental health facility reopens in Northeast Oklahoma

Moccasin Bend Ranch, a residential treatment program in Wyandotte, has reopened after a remodel, expanding access to specialized mental health services for children ages 5 to 12. Leaders say the program fills a critical gap in Oklahoma, where options for young children needing higher levels of care remain limited.

A unique approach for younger children

Moccasin Bend Ranch is a 28 bed psychiatric residential treatment facility set on 12 wooded acres. The unlocked campus is designed to give children access to outdoor play and nature, something leaders say is essential for younger patients.

“This setting allows our kids to act like kids,” said Christina Holum, interim chief executive officer at Willow Crest Hospital and Moccasin Bend Ranch. “Watching them play gives us a renewed sense of purpose. We are confident this change will lead to better outcomes and happier, healthier children.”

The ranch focuses exclusively on children, a distinction that sets it apart from many other programs across the state.

Why early treatment matters

Mental health leaders say many children referred to Moccasin Bend Ranch have already tried outpatient therapy and medication management without success. By the time families seek residential care, behaviors are often increasing in both frequency and intensity.

“If outpatient services are not working, families need somewhere to turn,” said Grant Linihan, vice president of business development for Vizion Health, which owns the facility. “If our program was not available, these, kids, where are they going to go to get treated?”

Linihan and Holum say early intervention can help children develop coping skills and emotional regulation before problems follow them into adolescence and adulthood.

Inside the treatment program

Children at Moccasin Bend Ranch receive a full schedule of therapeutic services, including individual therapy, family therapy and group sessions. The program also emphasizes recreational and expressive therapies to help children process trauma and build skills in a developmentally appropriate way.

Staff members work with families to plan for discharge, aiming to ensure continuity of care once a child returns home.

Making the holidays feel normal

For some children, the holiday season can be especially difficult. Leaders say the ranch makes a point to celebrate milestones and traditions, even while children are in treatment.

The facility hosts holiday meals, seasonal activities and visits from community volunteers, including a volunteer Santa. Children are also taken to see nearby holiday light displays.

“We try to get them to reshape their minds,” Linihan said. “Even though you’re with us, this is still going to be a joyous time for you.”

A broader mental health need in Oklahoma

Mental health providers say the need for pediatric services is tied to broader challenges across the state, including limited funding and access to care. They note that untreated mental health issues in childhood can contribute to long term struggles later in life.

“There will always be a need for this type of service for a certain group of children,” Holum said. “If they cannot get help early, their prognosis becomes much worse.”

How families can get help

Families who are concerned about a child’s mental health can contact Willow Crest Hospital or Moccasin Bend Ranch for a free phone intake. Staff members can help parents determine whether residential treatment is appropriate or if outpatient care may still be an option.

Willow Crest Hospital, also operated by Vizion Health, is a 50 bed acute inpatient psychiatric facility in Miami serving adolescents ages 9 to 17. Together, the programs serve families from across Oklahoma, including hundreds of children from Tulsa County each year.

For more information, families can call (918) 542-1836 to speak with an intake specialist. You can also find their website here.

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