Oklahoma
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!
Kip Lewis returning for his redshirt senior season with the Oklahoma Sooners was one of the biggest wins of the offseason. Lewis has built an impressive career in Norman, racking up 209 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
Beyond his production, Lewis has become one of the emotional leaders of the Oklahoma locker room. Although the NFL was an option, Lewis believed another season learning under Brent Venables would put him in the best position for long-term success.
In a video shared by Oklahoma, Lewis explained the factors that led him to return to Norman for another season.
“I talked to a lot of people,” Lewis said. “Mostly, my family and then my dad. He was just giving me key points that he felt like I should have come back… Mostly talked to a couple of my teammates like John (Mateer) and Isaiah (Sategna), getting their thoughts on what their plan was. I asked Danny (Stutsman) for advice. Talked to him for a little bit. Advice from Danny really stood out to me.”
Getting advice from Stutsman likely played a significant role in Lewis’ decision. Stutsman was in a similar position following a strong 2023 season. Stutsman elected to return to Norman in 2024 and had another strong individual season. That resulted in him being taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Lewis’ decision to return gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and talented linebackers in the country for another season. By following the same path as Stutsman, Lewis is betting on development and another opportunity to improve his draft stock.
If he continues to lead at the level he has throughout his career, his final season in Norman could be the one that cements him as one of the top defensive players in college football.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @jaronspor.
TULSA, Okla — Tulsa has seen a boost in its food industry, thanks in part to a growing population.
Local News
Study shows Hispanic population boom boosting Tulsa economy
The Hispanic and Latino population has also contributed to the Oklahoma economy through restaurants, catering businesses, and food trucks.
According to a study conducted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals who have gone into the state’s food service industry has grown by more than 12,000 between 2001 and 2021.
To help continue this growth, the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation is starting up its “Lanzamiento Program” for Spanish speakers who are interested in pursuing a career in the culinary industry.
Local News
Mother Road Market hosts program for Hispanic, Latino food entrepreneurs
The classes are held in partnership with Mother Road Market for 12 weeks.
Wendy Henriquez is the owner of Sugar Crave and completed the program back in 2024.
She said it was a huge help when it came to learning the ins and outs of the industry.
It also helped her that it was all in Spanish, the language she prefers.
“All of the classes were focused on the regulations here in the United States and Oklahoma needing to be met,” she said. “In every class, we had experts talk to us about things like taking out loans, insurance, credit.”
“Wow, I mean it isn’t easy, but it’s possible,” she said. “Perseverance is important.”
Abel Aguilar is the Program Manager in charge of the Lanzamiento course.
“We believe it’s important because not only do we have a strong population of both Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs here in Tulsa, they may not know the resources that they have available to them,” he said.
While tuition doesn’t start off as being free of charge, there are financial assistance options to help.
We Street Credit Union has also pitched in to offer funds for financial assistance so some weight can be taken off of the participant.
Aguilar also said Lobeck Taylor will work something out if finances are the only obstacle to applying.
For others interested in other resources to help kickstart their business, Avanzando Juntos is also a non-profit organization that can help.
Primarily for Spanish speakers, Avanzando Juntos helps connect business owners with grants and funding that can help eliminate some of the costs that come with starting a business.
For those interested in applying to the “Lanzamiento” Program, you can visit the Kitchen 66 website for the application.
Isabel Flores is your North & East Tulsa reporter.
Is there something you think she should know about or look into?
You can email her at Isabel.Flores@kjrh.com.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
1. Death of inmate at Oklahoma County Detention Center under investigation
Oklahoma County Detention Center.
• 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow found unresponsive
• Taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead
• Active investigation ongoing
Officials are investigating the death of an inmate at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
Officers found 33-year-old Dancing Feathers Whitecrow unresponsive just before 7 p.m. Sunday. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Whitecrow had been booked into the jail in April.
This remains an active investigation.
The Oklahoma County Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after Dancing Feathers Whitecrow, 33, died in custody.
2. Deadly hit-and-run in southwest Oklahoma City
• Pedestrian struck and killed near Southwest 61st and May
• Crash happened just before midnight
• No description of the vehicle yet
Oklahoma City Police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run that happened late Tuesday in southwest Oklahoma City.
One person was struck and killed by a vehicle near Southwest 61st and May just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police say they currently have no description of the vehicle involved.
3. Elderly Moore woman mauled to death by dog
• 86-year-old Beatrice Carruth found dead July 2nd
• Dog belonged to her son, who was previously arrested in a related incident
• Dog has been euthanized
An 86-year-old Moore woman was mauled to death in her home by her son’s dog.
Beatrice Carruth was found dead on July 2nd. Family members say the dog, a Labrador and American Pit Bull Terrier mix, had previously attacked her in May.
The dog was euthanized Monday.
The Moore Police Department arrived at the scene near Northeast 27th Street and Highland Drive to find a woman with severe injuries.
4. Cattle rescue after semi overturns on I-40 near Tinker
News 9
• Mayberry family from Oklahoma City Stockyards helped clear the scene
• 109 head of cattle in trailer; more than 80 survived
• Similar crashes have happened in recent years
A family of ranchers helped rescue cattle after a semi overturned on I-40 near Tinker Air Force Base.
The Mayberry family responded to the scene and worked to safely remove the animals. They say they’ve assisted with several similar crashes over the past four years.
A trailer carrying 62 head of cattle overturned Tuesday morning, leaving only a single westbound lane of I-40 open for hours as crews rescued trapped animals.
5. Attorney General Drummond sues Allstate over insurance practices
• Lawsuit accuses company of denying or underpaying wind and hail claims
• Alleges use of undisclosed restrictive standards
• Similar lawsuit previously filed against State Farm
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is suing Allstate, accusing the insurance company of running a scheme to deny or underpay wind and hail claims.
The lawsuit alleges Allstate used undisclosed restrictive standards to limit coverage for Oklahomans. Drummond says the company is putting profits ahead of policyholders.
A similar lawsuit was previously filed against State Farm.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court and alleges violations of state consumer protection and anti-racketeering laws.
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Editor’s note: We used AI tools to help with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed everything before publication.
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