Oklahoma

Billy Bowman’s Return ‘Sooner Rather Than Later’ Crucial in Oklahoma’s Stretch Run

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2022

Billy Bowman’s Return ‘Sooner Rather Than Later’ Crucial in Oklahoma’s Stretch Run

Because the Sooners head to Ames to tackle Iowa State this weekend, a 4-3 file will not be what the crew had in thoughts popping out of the bye week. There are various totally different causes that issue into Oklahoma’s sluggish begin on the sphere, however accidents positively depend as one.

After Dillon Gabriel went down, the quarterback place was clearly the best gap to level to on the crew. In the identical recreation that Gabriel went down with a concussion, although, the Sooners misplaced security Billy Bowman too. Bowman is arguably simply as essential on the opposite facet of the ball.

“We miss a extremely good participant that makes performs, that communicates properly, that’s one among our greatest gamers,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof mentioned Monday. “That’s a part of the sport.”

When Gabriel returned, the offense instantly seemed again in sync. The Sooners scored 52 factors in opposition to Kansas behind a balanced assault. Though he’s struggled with accuracy at instances this season, it’s clear the impression he has on the offense.

The protection, nevertheless, hasn’t fairly appeared to determine issues out simply but with out Bowman.

Bowman hasn’t performed a snap for the reason that first quarter of the TCU recreation and has been nursing a nagging knee damage. The Sooners and Bowman averted the worst, injury-wise, however Oklahoma’s protection has been hurting on the sphere with out him. The unit has given up greater than 40 factors in every of the previous 4 weeks, and the secondary has repeatedly been torched by the Massive 12’s proficient vast receivers.

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The excellent news, although, is that it appears like Bowman is anticipated on the sphere someday quickly. After Gabriel’s return jump-started the offense, Bowman’s return might tie issues collectively and assist the Sooners end out the season respectably. There are nonetheless loads of huge video games left on the schedule.

“We’re hopeful he’ll get again sooner relatively than later,” Brent Venables mentioned in his Tuesday press convention. “As of at the moment, we don’t have a precise date for his return. He’s working round and making an attempt to get in form and have the sort of stability that he wants and the boldness that goes together with that too.”

It feels like his standing for the subsequent few weeks remains to be up within the air, as Venables was cautious about Bowman’s return. However the truth that Bowman is again at observe and working round ought to be a terrific signal for the Sooners.

To place issues in perspective, the sophomore security has performed simply three video games and one quarter of soccer this season. He ranks third on the crew in solo tackles at 22, tied for first on the crew in passes deflected at 4, and has recorded one of many Sooners’ two fumble recoveries on the season.

Including him again into the lineup anytime quickly can be an enormous win for the Oklahoma protection. It additionally could not come at a greater time.

“As you progress via that rehab, you frequently push the bounds, if you’ll, and begin to do an increasing number of issues which might be football-like,” Venables mentioned. “He’s beginning to get extra comfy with that.”

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Oklahoma

Navy Midshipmen Seek Victory Over Oklahoma in Armed Forces Bowl

Published

10 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Navy Midshipmen Seek Victory Over Oklahoma in Armed Forces Bowl

Navy won its rivalry game with Army West Point, but there’s one more game left on the schedule and one more shot at some history for the Midshipmen.

Navy is preparing to face Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, their first appearance in a bowl game under second-year head coach Brian Newberry. Kickoff is set for noon eastern.

If the Midshipmen (9-3) are able to beat the Sooners (6-6), it would mark the sixth time in school history that they won at least 10 games in a season, joining the teams from 1905 (10-1-1), 2004 (10-2), 2009 (10-4), 2015 (11-2) and 2019 (11-2).

Navy needs to put its blowout win over Army out of its minds. The Sooners, while not the OU that most are used to, will still be a formidable opponent. But there will be change under center after the transfer of quarterback Jackson Arnold.

No such issues with Navy quarterback Blake Horvath, as he looks to cap off the season with an incredible performance in the postseason.

Here is a preview of the game.

Armed Forces Bowl

Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas

Time: noon, ET, Friday

TV: ESPN

Radio: WBAL 1090 AM / 101.5 FM (flagship), Navy Football Radio Network.

Coaches: Navy: Brian Newberry (14-10 at Navy, overall); Oklahoma: Brent Venables (22-16 at Oklahoma, overall).

Fun fact: Newberry played high school football at WestMoore High School in Oklahoma City, about an hour and a half away from Oklahoma’s campus in Norman.

All-Times Series: Navy leads series, 1-0.

Last meeting: Navy 10, Oklahoma 0 (1965 in Norman, Okla.).

Series notes: This is Navy’s first bowl game against OU, but not its first bowl game against an SEC school. The Midshipmen played Ole Miss in the 1955 Sugar Bowl. Navy has played Missouri and Texas, but neither was in the SEC at the time.

Last Week: Navy def. Army, 31-13 (Dec. 14); Oklahoma lost to LSU, 37-13 (Nov. 30).

About Navy: Navy’s win over Army allowed the Midshipmen to claim the Commander in Chief’s trophy and you can’t doubt the accomplishment. Navy won the two service academy games by a combined 45 points. That’s just domination.

Last week, Midshipmen defensive back Rayuan Lane III accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, just the fifth Navy player to accomplish that feat. He’ll play in this game and then take his shot at getting drafted into the NFL.

Along with chasing 10 wins, Horvath is chasing the single-season touchdown pass record at Navy. He’s tied it with 13, putting him in the company of Ricky Dobbs. He tossed two touchdowns against Army.

About Oklahoma: Even though OU only finished .500, this game marks a rare chance for Navy to measure itself against one of the game’s historic programs.

Oklahoma is the sixth-winningest program in FBS history with 950 wins and is playing in a bowl game for the 26th straight season, with a record of 31-25-1. OU’s 58 bowl appearances are the fourth-most in FBS.

The first year in the SEC was a gauntlet for the Sooners, who faced eight ranked opponents during the season. But, their win over No. 7 Alabama probably robbed the Crimson Tide of a chance to play in the College Football Playoff.

Next Up: The season concludes for both teams.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz: December 22

Published

18 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Join News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins, News On 6 Sports Director John Holcomb, and Toby Rowland for this week’s edition of the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz.

Sunday, December 22nd 2024, 11:25 pm

By:

News On 6,

News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY –

This week on the Oklahoma Ford Sports Blitz, Dean Blevins, John Holcomb, and Toby Rowland begin the show with their opening takes.

Toby’s Top 3

OU, OSU, TU Recap

Viewer Question

Thunder Update: Caruso 4-Year Contract Extension, No Christmas Game

OU, OSU, TU, ORU Basketball Recap

OSU Wrestling Beats Virginia Tech

Play The Percentages

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska

Oklahoma transfer linebacker Dasan McCullough has committed to Nebraska, he confirmed on Instagram Sunday afternoon.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound McCullough spent the past two seasons in Norman with the Sooners. He began his college football career in 2022 at Indiana, where he earned Freshman All-American status.

McCullough will come to Nebraska with one season of eligibility remaining.

McCullough, who played Oklahoma’s versatile hybrid linebacker/safety position called the Cheetah, suffered an injury before the start of Oklahoma’s fall camp this season and missed the first five games. He returned to the field in October and played in the final seven games, the last five of which he started. He recorded 17 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in 2024.

In 2023 at Oklahoma, McCullough played in 10 games and started seven while making 30 tackles with 3.5 TFLs and three pass deflections.

McCullough, who was a star recruit and ranked No. 61 nationally in the 2022 class, comes from a football family. His dad, Deland McCullough, played running back in the NFL and is currently Notre Dame’s associate head coach and running backs coach.

While Deland spent three seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2018-20, Dasan played his high school ball at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Deland became Indiana’s associate head coach and running backs coach in 2021, and Dasan, then an Ohio State verbal commit, flipped to Indiana not long after.

Dasan followed his father to Bloomington and made an impact right away. He played in all 12 games with four starts and racked up 51 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, four sacks and four pass deflections. He gained Freshman All-American honors and a Big Ten honorable mention selection.

— Steve Marik, Inside Nebraska staff writer,

Analysis

McCullough is a versatile backend defender that can play a variety of roles in Nebraska’s defense.

A rare blend of size and athleticism at 6-5, McCullough shows good speed and change-of-direction ability for his size. Has high-end instincts and IQ, which shows up in zone coverage and reacting against the run. Has had some intriguing flashes as a pass-rusher, but largely relies on athleticism to get into the backfield, still developing consistent pass rush moves.

Technically sound tackler, though lean he’s got wiry body strength. Consistent aggression could improve as could hip fluidity. Athletic enough to hold his own in man coverage, technique can continue to improve, better in zone at this point in his career.

In Nebraska’s scheme, McCullough can play all three linebacker positions, rover or even safety if needed. He’s likely best at inside linebacker with a few pass-rush opportunities.

This addition provides Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler something of a chess piece to move around his defense.

— Tim Verghese, Inside Nebraska recruiting analyst

Additional analysis

McCullough is a versatile and sizable defender who played both a traditional linebacker position and Oklahoma’s “cheetah” spot, which is roughly equivalent to the nickel. He also saw some periodic snaps as an edge rusher for the Sooners during his two years in Norman.

McCullough at his best against the run, as he takes good pursuit angles, fills gaps responsibly and is a reliable tackler. That said, he’s intelligent and instinctive in zone coverage and can generally be trusted to hold his own in man-to-man matchups against tight ends and running backs.

McCullough ought to be quite the chess piece in John Butler’s defense, and could truly thrive in Lincoln depending on the Huskers’ specific vision for his diverse skill set.

— OUInsider writer Parker Thune