Oklahoma

Head to Head: Comparing Arkansas football, Oklahoma State at each position | Whole Hog Sports

Published

2 hours ago

September 5, 2024

Head to Head: Comparing Arkansas football, Oklahoma State at each position | Whole Hog Sports

Arkansas football plays its first road game of the 2024 season at No. 16 Oklahoma State on Saturday. It’s an early test for both teams, which both opened the season with wins over Football Championship Subdivision opponents.

It’s the first game between the Razorbacks (1-0) and Cowboys (1-0) since 1980, when Arkansas won 33-20 in Little Rock. Arkansas owns the all-time series with a record of 30-15-1.

Here’s a look at what the Razorbacks and Cowboys have at each position before kickoff Saturday (11 a.m., ABC).

Quarterback

Advantage: Oklahoma State

Both Taylen Green and Alan Bowman have areas of concern and potential for growth.

Bowman put up impressive numbers with Oklahoma State last season with 3,460 yards through the air (247.1 per game), good for third-most in a pass-happy Big 12. His completion rate of 60.7% left something to be desired, though, as did his 14 interceptions to 15 touchdowns. Bowman enters 2024 with problems to fix but plenty of talent around him to help.

Green is in a similar spot. His 57.1% completion rate in 2023 is cause for concern, and he threw 9 interceptions to 11 touchdowns. Like Bowman, he led his team to the conference title game — though Green did it in the Mountain West while splitting time at quarterback with a true freshman for part of the year. He performed well against UAPB in Week 1, and he’ll have his first big test against the Cowboys.

Offensive line

Advantage: Oklahoma State

Experience matters on the offensive line, and Oklahoma State has one of the most veteran fronts in college football. Eight players have at least 12 career starts, allowing the Cowboys to rotate with what they hope isn’t much drop-off. All five starters are sixth-year players, and all played more than 750 snaps for Oklahoma State last season. On3 rated the unit fifth-best in the country this preseason.

Arkansas’ line was a problem last season, but the Razorbacks have plugged holes with talented transfers and are optimistic about their new front. Depth is a concern, especially after starting left guard Patrick Kutas missed most of the preseason and Week 1 with a back injury. E’Marion Harris shows promise as his replacement, but Arkansas can’t afford to lose much more on the line. It’s an untested unit that could prove to be an improvement over last season but must perform well against opponents like Oklahoma State.

Wide receiver

Advantage: Oklahoma State

Much like on the offensive line, Oklahoma State has a lot of experience at receiver. Its top three players are all coming off good seasons in 2023.

The Cowboys’ top two receivers from last year, Brennan Presley (991 yards on 101 catches) and Rashod Owens (895 on 63), are both back. They join De’Zhaun Stribling, who stood out in the first four games of 2023 before a broken wrist cut his season short. The group has the opportunity for big numbers again with defenses trying to stop Gordon in the run game.

Arkansas’ receiver corps is also led by returning players. Andrew Armstrong and Tyrone Broden are the clear top two, but there is some concern about depth as Armstrong dealt with a hamstring issue in preseason camp. He is questionable for the game, per coach Sam Pittman. The Razorbacks’ receivers didn’t put up big numbers in 2023 in a generally ineffective passing offense, and they’ll need a better passer and more consistency to show improvement. A solid showing against the Cowboys would be a good place to start.

Tight end

Advantage: Arkansas

Tight end is one of the Razorbacks’ deepest and strongest positions. Led by Luke Hasz, whose breakout freshman season was cut short by injury in 2023, Arkansas’ tight ends figure to feature prominently as receivers in Bobby Petrino’s offense. The group’s blocking ability against Power 4 teams remains to be seen, and Petrino stressed it as an area that needed some improvement in the preseason.

Oklahoma State’s tight ends are a relative unknown. Ohio graduate transfer Tyler Foster, who is the most experienced tight end on the roster, figures to be the starter. Fifth-year Quinton Stewart hasn’t played much on offense in his career, and the other tight ends don’t have much experience.

Running back

Advantage: Oklahoma State

Arkansas’ running backs are expected to be a strength this season, but Oklahoma State can trump almost anyone’s RB room thanks to Ollie Gordon. He won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country in 2023 and finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting. Gordon led the nation in rushing yards (1,732) and rushing touchdowns (21).

Arkansas’ run game was its biggest strength as it dominated UAPB, with four running backs scoring at least one touchdown in the blowout. Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the group, and he ran for 101 yards against UAPB. The Razorbacks have solid depth with Rodney Hill and Braylen Russell. Still, a healthy Gordon is a game-changing player for Oklahoma State and gives them the edge any time.

Defensive line

Advantage: Arkansas

Arkansas’ defensive line has solid starters with veteran end Landon Jackson and tackles Eric Gregory and Cam Ball. At the other end spot, the Razorbacks have two solid options with Nico Davillier and Anton Juncaj. Depth is a concern at tackle, but in general, the Razorbacks should feel confident about their front. Jackson will likely be the most talented defensive lineman on the field in Stillwater.

Oklahoma State’s line has potential, but it has a lot to prove. The Cowboys dismissed their defensive line coach after last season. Statistically, the unit was around the middle of the Big 12 in rushing defense (ninth – 166.9 yards allowed per game) and sacks (eighth – 1.93 per game), and they came in at fourth in tackles for loss per game with 5.93. The Cowboys could have a good unit, but seeing them in action against a team like Arkansas will give a better indication of whether they’ve improved.

Linebacker

Advantage: Oklahoma State

The Cowboys have the veteran talent back after a solid year, while Arkansas is the group with potential that needs to be tested. The Razorbacks are confident in the transfer-heavy group of linebackers it assembled, plus returning sophomore Brad Spence. How they fare against Oklahoma State will be telling.

The Cowboys have a potent duo in the middle of their defense with Collin Oliver and Nick Martin. The two tied to lead the team in sacks with six last season. Martin had a team-best 16 tackles for loss, and Oliver was second with 15.5. Martin had a shocking 140 total tackles, second-most among power-conference players. Pro Football Focus ranks Oklahoma State’s linebacker corps the ninth-best in the country.

Defensive back

Advantage: Arkansas

Arkansas’ pass defense improved dramatically last season, and many of its secondary players are back for 2024. At corner, Jaylon Braxton will look to build off a great freshman season, and Arkansas seems to feel confident in Marquise Robinson, Jaheim Singletary and Kee’yon Stewart. At safety, Jayden Johnson returns, the versatile Larry Worth will be intriguing to watch, and TJ Metcalf and Hudson Clark have been battling. Tennessee transfer Doneiko Slaughter won the starting nickel job, and the Razorbacks have some other versatile defenders who could get time there, too.

The secondary was a weakness for Oklahoma State last season. The Cowboys were last in the Big 12 in pass defense and passing plays of 10-, 20- or 30-plus yards. The Cowboys have a gifted corner in Korie Black, but the depth is uncertain. The safeties will look to improve in deep coverage, but there are some veterans back to help.

Special teams

Advantage: Arkansas

Arkansas and Oklahoma State have similar special teams situations. Both have punters they’re confident in — Devin Bale for Arkansas and Hudson Kaak for Oklahoma State — and promising return men — Isaiah Sategna for the Razorbacks and Brennan for the Cowboys. But both also have questions about field goal kicking.

Oklahoma State will have Logan Ward at kicker. He kicked some PATs last season and handled kickoffs, but whether he will be a consistent field-goal kicker is something the Cowboys are watching. He got off to a strong start in Week 1: He went 3-for-3 with makes from 25, 42, 52 and yards out.

Arkansas has the advantage in terms of experience Abilene Christian transfer Kyle Ramsey, who made all of his PATs in Week 1 is first on the depth chart at kicker. The Oklahoma State game could include his first field goal attempt as a Razorback.

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Oklahoma

Locals Create Oklahoma Trading Cards Celebrating Landmarks

Published

9 hours ago

September 4, 2024

Press Room

Locals Create Oklahoma Trading Cards Celebrating Landmarks

Some men have spent two years working on a new business idea. They are about to put out their first collection of trading cards inspired by Oklahoma landmarks.

What’s on your bucket list? Maybe it’s to visit far and exotic places.

Or maybe you’re like Todd Edwards, who wanted to see a business idea come to life. Todd recruited two of his co-workers — Braden and Josiah.

“We have full-time jobs, but this is something we wanted to do on the side that we thought would be special,” said Braden.

That something special is Oklahoma Trading Cards.

Each one features a landmark or hidden gem, like the Catoosa Blue Whale, and an opportunity to learn something new.

“We have lived here our whole lives, and all of the things we have learned that are just here waiting on us to go look at and see, like how have I lived here my whole life and didn’t know about all of these things here,” Todd said.

To discover these places, they asked the community to send in photos of their favorite places. Braden says they received 700 entries and have had to narrow it down to just 70 for their first deck, which will be released in December.

“As we have kind of gotten feedback from the community and started to see the fruits of our efforts for getting people involved pay off, that’s been a lot of encouragement to keep pressing forward and making this dream a reality,” he said.

They are checking off something on their bucket list, while maybe adding places to visit to yours.

If you have Something Good you would like to share, email us at Somethinggoodnewson6@griffin.news

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Oklahoma

Santander Sounds Out Lenders for Iowa Tribe’s Oklahoma Casino

Published

16 hours ago

September 4, 2024

Press Room

Santander Sounds Out Lenders for Iowa Tribe’s Oklahoma Casino

Banco Santander is sounding out investors on a debt deal that would finance the development of a casino owned by Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The term loan could range between $200 million and $250 million, according to the initial terms, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the details are private. The proceeds would pay for the construction of a new casino resort located between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, they added.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Kicker Tyler Keltner Has a Big Personality and Bigger Confidence

Published

23 hours ago

September 4, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Kicker Tyler Keltner Has a Big Personality and Bigger Confidence

NORMAN — Oklahoma kicker Tyler Keltner has a boyish face and a slight frame.

But his personality belies his appearance, projecting through and overpowering any preconceived notions that he looks “young” or “small.”

And yet, his confidence, his humility and his right leg are even bigger than any of that.

That became evident on Friday night, when Brent Venables called on Keltner to kick a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter, and Keltner calmly stepped up and drove it right down Main Street. It was the Sooners’ first 50-yarder in three years, but for Keltner, it was no big deal.

“You might not believe me,” Keltner said after practice Monday, “but I get more nervous watching kickers on TV than me when I’m kicking by myself. When it’s me out there in a game, there’s a certain calmness that comes through.

“I think it’s just everybody practicing. I’m just so confident in everybody and confident in what I do. I go out there and it’s just like, pure bliss watching people on TV kick. … I’m like, ‘What are they going to do? How’s their operation? And they’ve been practicing? What are they doing?’ But when it’s us and when it’s me, it’s just the best feeling in the world.”

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Keltner is OU’s first-ever SEC Player of the Week, landing the league’s special teams accolades a perfect night with three field goals and six PATs.

Friday night in front of 80,000 citizens of Sooner Nation was a big, big step for Keltner, who beat out two-year starter Zach Schmit for the job. In four years as the starting kicker at East Tennessee State, he never saw a crowd like the one that watched OU beat Temple 51-3. Even last year, when he kicked one just PAT for Florida State — late in a November home victory over North Alabama — the announced attendance at Doak Campbell Stadium was 79,560, and most of them had cleared out by the time he lined up for the extra point.

“It’s just nice to be playing again through all the waiting, then all the work in the last two years,” Keltner said. “I truly feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better over the last two years. It’s just fun to go out there and just have fun with it again.”

He left a four-time All-Southern Conference career at ETSU to join his hometown Seminoles, but he couldn’t beat out Ryan Fitzgerald. So he hit the transfer portal one more time, landing in Norman with all the confidence in the world.

That confidence only grew once he got to OU. Keltner said a preseason training camp visit from Sooners linebacker legend Teddy Lehman gave everyone a fresh perspective, specifically how all the work they’ve put in starting in January means the 2024 season is already halfway over.

“When I think about how much work we’ve put in, how much running, kicking, all this and that, why wouldn’t I come out and feel some sort of confidence in all of that?” Keltner said. “It’d be disrespectful to the team and the university if I didn’t.”

Keltner was similarly grateful to get to play last year for the Seminoles. He grew up in Tallahassee rooting for FSU, and as the ‘Noles went undefeated last year, he got great joy out of it.

“That was a great team to wait on kicking for,” he said. “So I had a good time. I learned a lot about myself and my routine. I just really learned about my love for the game again. So just to get back and show all that again is such an unreal experience.”

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To listen to Keltner talk about college football, and OU football in particular, is to hear a young man who is is humbled by his good fortune in life.

“Just hearing guys talk about this field has been here for 100 years,” he said. “Seriously, that gives me goosebumps right now because I can’t fathom that. That was when my great-grandparents were being born. Like, come on.

“When you think about how many people stepped on this field and put their best foot forward and represented OU, that humbles me almost instantly. So I can walk out here and feel comfortable knowing that I’m representing them and I’ve got to put my best forward to honor that.”

Keltner beat out Schmit in a competition that was “as close as it can be,” he said. “I think me coming in here helped him and I think seeing how good he was, it helped me out. It really was an iron sharpening iron situation.”

“Just, there’s a body of work, and not just the training camp,” Venables said after the game Friday. “There’s the summer, there’s the spring, it’s a body of work, and he’s shown with his career he’s getting in the games, he made most of them, and so he had a good track record that way. But Zach had a great camp too, and as I said it, we went in, just made a decision, ‘This is what we were going to do.’ And, you know, glad for Tyler stepping up and executing. Really nice job in his debut.”

Keltner also gained an appreciation for Schmit’s ball-striking consistency and the power in Schmit’s right leg, which produced seven touchbacks among his 10 kickoffs.

“I was just telling somebody earlier that I’m not sure if I would have had the night I had if Zach Schmit didn’t have the night that he had,” Keltner said. “I mean talk about 10 kickoffs — we scored 10 times. That doesn’t happen too often. … When you have 10 kickoffs, that’s going to destroy anybody’s leg, especially if you’re doing both. So props to him. He’s such a massive, massive support beam for this team. We’re both just doing what we can to help this team out.”

While Keltner’s 50-yard missile was probably the most fun kick he had last week, the most stressful was a PAT on which the snap was inside and the hold was dropped. But holder Josh Plaster still gathered the ball and got it down just enough for Keltner to slap it through.

“Let’s thank soccer for that one,” Keltner said. “I’ve played soccer for a long time, and in those moments, when you walk out under these lights, your natural instincts coming out. The lights are on, there are fans in the crowd and everybody kinda blacks out a little bit.

“Soccer in my background, that has a lot to do with it.”

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