DALLAS – Brent Venables needed to “Pack the Palace” for Oklahoma’s annual spring recreation final month.
It was a significant speaking level for the brand new head coach of the Sooners all by spring camp main as much as the sport on April 23 – and the followers delivered.
A program-record 75,360 folks piled into Gaylord Household – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on that fateful Saturday afternoon, essentially the most of any spring recreation throughout the nation in 2022.
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It was a chance for OU followers to have their voices be heard throughout the faculty soccer world after an offseason full of shake-ups, to which they completely responded.
However to Venables, this was way over only a large show of Oklahoma delight – as an alternative serving as a loud “message” to the remainder of school soccer.
“We despatched a message that greatest is the usual,” Venables instructed OU followers at a Coaches Caravan cease in Dallas on Thursday evening. “That’s what it appears to be like like. That’s what excellence appears to be like like. That’s what being ‘all in’ appears to be like like. That’s what dedication appears to be like like. That’s what Sooners seem like.”
With the nationwide narrative over the course of the winter seemingly being one to throw dust on Oklahoma within the wake of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams’ departures for USC, Venables noticed the spectacular crowd turnout as a reminder of the place OU resides within the hierarchy of school soccer.
“It despatched a message to varsity soccer how vital Oklahoma soccer is,” Venables stated. “That is the winningest crew in school soccer since 1940. Been essentially the most constant program in school soccer since 1999. The one program that has not had a shedding season in all of school soccer (since 1999). 50 convention championships, Alabama second at 29. So, simply be sure that we all know who we’re.”
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However, whereas Venables is definitely greater than keen to acknowledge the previous at Oklahoma, his eyes are squarely on the longer term.
He reminds the crew frequently that whereas it’s vital to know the historical past of this system, the 2022 version of the Sooners haven’t completed something…but.
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“That is Group 128,” Venables stated. “128th crew within the historical past of Oklahoma soccer. And this crew, I do know all people is worked up, however this crew hasn’t earned something. I do know we’re all excited concerning the spring recreation and what an incredible displaying that was by the followers. I do know our gamers appreciated that. (It) gave our gamers an actual alternative to play in what a recreation day environment goes to seem like in Norman, Oklahoma.
“However, this crew hasn’t earned something but. So I’m actually excited concerning the work this crew is on the point of put in. They don’t put championship rings on clean palms. You bought to place the work in.”
Whereas the Sooners are undeniably one of many blue bloods of school soccer with success that rivals nearly some other program within the nation, the eighth nationwide title in program historical past has confirmed to be elusive.
Regardless of seemingly at all times being a contender, Oklahoma’s final championship came to visit twenty years in the past when OU defeated Florida State for the 2000 crown.
With April’s spring recreation simply serving as the start line, that is one thing Venables vows will change in his tenure in Norman.
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“It’s been 22 years since we received the nationwide championship,” Venables stated. “I’m going to inform you one factor, it’s not going to be 22 extra earlier than we win that subsequent one. I promise you.”
Oklahoma transfer LB Dasan McCullough commits to Nebraska
Oklahoma transfer linebacker Dasan McCullough has committed to Nebraska, he confirmed on Instagram Sunday afternoon.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Central Arkansas Bears (3-8) at Oklahoma Sooners (11-0)
Norman, Oklahoma; Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
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BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Sooners -28.5; over/under is 145.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 14 Oklahoma hosts Central Arkansas after Jeremiah Fears scored 30 points in Oklahoma’s 87-86 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.
The Sooners have gone 6-0 at home. Oklahoma has a 2-0 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Bears are 0-6 on the road. Central Arkansas ranks fourth in the ASUN with 23.8 defensive rebounds per game led by Brayden Fagbemi averaging 4.6.
Oklahoma averages 82.0 points, 5.2 more per game than the 76.8 Central Arkansas allows. Central Arkansas averages 9.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.5 more made shots on average than the 6.5 per game Oklahoma allows.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Fears is scoring 17.9 points per game with 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the Sooners.
Layne Taylor is scoring 17.0 points per game and averaging 4.4 rebounds for the Bears.
LAST 10 GAMES: Sooners: 10-0, averaging 80.9 points, 29.3 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 10.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.5 points per game.
Bears: 3-7, averaging 73.0 points, 34.3 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 38.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 75.7 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to a commercial fire near the area of NW 10th and N Western Avenue.
OKCFD were at the scene of a commercial fire around 7 p.m. Saturday night, when they arrived there was heavy smoke visible from multiple floors of a boarded up building.
One adult female was found in the building and taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
At this time no cause has been reported.
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