Oklahoma

Oklahoma escapes BYU, 31-24

Published

2 weeks ago

November 19, 2023

It was Oklahoma’s first time playing football in the state of Utah, and it turned out to be a successful trip. The Sooners took out the Cougars of BYU, 31-24, in a game that should not have been that close. However, considering the circumstances, OU is grateful to come out with a W.

On paper, the Sooners were favored big in this one, and had the advantage in all three phases. Unfortunately, the game is not played on paper and is played out on the field. The sentiment after the game reflected frustration with Oklahoma’s defensive performance, characterized by missed assignments, missed tackles, and a lack of enthusiasm. Fortunately, the group made enough plays down the stretch to keep Big 12 title hopes alive.

On the offensive front, they found success running the football, particularly with counters. The problem, though, was that it took three quarters before Oklahoma fully took advantage. Jeff Lebby’s offense has proven to be really good when things are clicking, but the lack of consistency leaves you scratching your head sometimes trying to figure out why this team struggles to put away inferior opponents. Their ability to run effectively against a weak BYU front seven finally stood out, with Sawchuk’s 7.6 yards per carry and a hundred-plus-yard game, along with Walker’s effectiveness, underscore the untapped potential in the running game. Let’s hope OU will set the tone earlier in games with the rushing attack and not abandon it.

Dillon Gabriel was 13-21 in his one half of football before going out with an injury, leading Jackson Arnold to step in. Arnold went 5-9 and made a significant 3rd down conversion to Jalil Farooq in the game’s final drive. The third down play gave you a glimpse of Arnold’s knowledge of football, since we found out after the game it was an audible made by Arnold after noticing the advantage on the outside.

Penalties and a lack of discipline plagued the Sooners, impacting both special teams and offensive plays. The defense, while struggling overall, provided a crucial turning point with Billy Bowman’s 100-yard pick-six, contributing to a 14-point swing in OU’s favor. However, defensive lapses allowed BYU to accumulate 390 yards, with 217 on the ground, revealing weaknesses that need addressing. Thankfully for Sooner fans the defense forced three turnovers, which all resulted in touchdowns for OU.

As the team prepares for TCU on a short week, uncertainties surround Gabriel’s potential absence, possibly leading to Jackson Arnold as the starting QB. Heading into the final week, the overarching question looms — will the Sooners resemble the team that dominated West Virginia or the one that struggled against BYU?

Source link

Related Topics:Featured front page Oklahoma Sooners Football

Click to comment

Oklahoma

Stats rundown: 3 numbers from a Dallas Mavericks loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-120

Published

42 mins ago

December 3, 2023

Press Room

Stats rundown: 3 numbers from a Dallas Mavericks loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 126-120

The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas Saturday night, losing 126-120. The Thunder controlled most of the game, and it looked like the Mavericks would fall in a blowout. But then Dallas went on a huge run in the fourth quarter (more on that later) that actually gave them the lead late in the game.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma City had a late run in them as well, and they ended up grinding out a win. That means back-to-back losses for the Mavericks, who are in the midst of a slump. They’ve lost six of their last nine games.

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 36 points. He had a triple-double, grabbing 15 rebounds and dishing out 18 assists. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 23 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 17.

Here are three stats from the game:

30: The number of consecutive points the Mavericks scored in the fourth quarter

In the fourth quarter, it started looking like it might be time for Jason Kidd to rest the starters and just regroup for the next game. But then the Mavericks went on an incredible run, scoring 30 consecutive points over a stretch of about six minutes. It’s the longest run in franchise history, and it’s a shame it was wasted in a loss.

2: The number of players in NBA history with multiple games of 30-15-15

Per ESPN Stats and Info, only two players have logged multiple games with at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists. One is Oscar Robertson, and the other is Luka Doncic. That’s pretty elite company for the Mavericks’ young point guard. Again, it’s tough to see it wasted in a loss.

65: The Mavericks’ free throw percentage

Dallas had a huge free throw advantage in the game, shooting 35 free throws to the Thunder’s 22. Unfortunately, they couldn’t convert at the charity stripe. Despite the huge disparity in attempts, the Mavericks only hit five more free throws than the Thunder. Dallas has to figure out their free throw shooting. A few more made freebies in this game and they might have won. It’s not the sole reason they lost, but it didn’t help.

Source link

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State football grades vs. Texas: Cowboys fail to slow down Quinn Ewers, Longhorns

Published

7 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Press Room

Oklahoma State football grades vs. Texas: Cowboys fail to slow down Quinn Ewers, Longhorns

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas showed little mercy in trucking Oklahoma State 49-21 Saturday in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Let’s get to the grades.

Warning: They aren’t pretty.

More: Quinn Ewers sets Big 12 passing record & more key stats from Oklahoma State loss to Texas

Containing Texas QB Quinn Ewers: F

Three-touchdown days are good. A three-touchdown first quarter is absurd.

Absurdly good was Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers on Saturday. Ewers completed 11-of-11 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter.

Ewers stamped his name all over the Big 12 Championship Game record book. His 452 passing yards were the most ever in a Big 12 title game. His four touchdown passes tied a record. Ewers completed 76% (35-of-46) of his passes.

Texas had 662 yards.

More: Oklahoma State football vs. Texas recap: Longhorns rout Cowboys for Big 12 championship

OSU counters Texas’ all-white uniforms: A+

Texas wore its classic all-whites, the Longhorns’ best look.

OSU countered by going with all-black everything.

So while the stadium was split by two shades of orange, neither team went with orange as its dominant uniform color. It was a cool contrast to the monochrome crowd.

Credit to the fans by the way for setting a Big 12 Championship attendance record: 84,523.

More: Mussatto: How Oklahoma State QB Alan Bowman’s ‘whirlwind’ career has brought him back home

Ollie Gordon II, OSU run game: F

We all knew about Texas’ fearsome defensive line, but seeing it stifle Ollie Gordon II and OSU’s run game was something else.

Gordon, who appeared gimpy at multiple junctures, carried 13 times for 34 yards. He averaged a measly 2.6 yards per carry as OSU’s offensive line struggled to open holes against Texas’ front.

Factoring in lost yards due to sacks, OSU had just 31 rushing yards.

More: Oklahoma State football bowl possibilities range from New Year’s Six to mid-level games

Alan Bowman, OSU pass game: C+

Alan Bowman tested the Longhorns’ secondary with early deep balls to Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens and Jaden Bray.

OSU got a pass interference call out of one and Owens hauled in a 41-yard contested catch.

Bowman completed 22-of-38 (58%) passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns against one interception.

OSU’s lack of success in the run game made things harder on Bowman, but Bowman had success through the air, and his offensive line held up in pass block.

More: Oklahoma State football: What to know about 2023 OSU Cowboys schedule, roster & more

Limiting Texas’ big plays: D

The Longhorns had way too many chunk gains.

Texas had 14 completions of 15-plus yards and eight runs of 10-plus yards.

Chunk plays accounted for 478 of Texas’ 662 yards.

Texas averaged 7.6 yards per play.

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

Source link

Oklahoma

Watch: Defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat scores TD for Texas vs. Oklahoma State

Published

13 hours ago

December 2, 2023

Press Room

Watch: Defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat scores TD for Texas vs. Oklahoma State

Who said the big man doesn’t have some moves?

T’Vondre Sweat, a 6-4, 362-pound defensive lineman, found paydirt in the first quarter of Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game versus No. 18 Oklahoma State, pulling in a 2-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to push No. 7 Texas in front, 21-7.

He then struck a Heisman pose in the end zone.

The Longhorns have this season dialed up touchdown passes to not only the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Sweat, but also the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in Byron Murphy II, who caught a 1-yard TD pass from Quinn Ewers when Texas hosted Wyoming on Sept. 16.

Source link