Oklahoma Leaned on a Strong Mindset Amidst Early Adversity Against Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE — Oklahoma dominated Nebraska on Saturday, nevertheless it was really the Cornhuskers who launched the primary salvo.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the No. 6-ranked Sooners (3-0) had been really compelled to punt 5 performs into the sport.

Nebraska linebacker Luke Reimer sacked OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel after the Sooners picked up a fast first down, burying the Oklahoma offense behind the chains.

Sooner punter Michael Turk pinned the Huskers (1-3) deep into their very own territory, however Texas switch Casey Thompson wasted little time making OU pay.

Nebraska barely broke a sweat, using the wave of momentum 77 yards in six performs to tack on the opening landing.

The Sooners’ three-man defensive entrance offered little on the opening drive, and the 87,161 followers inside Memorial Stadium responded with a roar of reduction and perception after enduring one other tumultuous week in a bleak decade of Cornhusker soccer.

Nebraska’s second within the solar was fleeting, nonetheless, as Gabriel and the Sooner offense instantly responded.

Enjoying in his first street recreation for the Crimson and Cream, Gabriel broke off his longest profession rush, a 61-yard scamper to degree the competition and suck the life proper again out of the gang.

From there, the Sooners reeled off 49 unanswered factors within the good response to the early adversity.

“I feel they’d 77 yards on that first drive after which 71 yards the remainder of the half,” OU head coach Brent Venables stated. “… I’m glad that occurred as a result of I consider you develop an id, you develop a mindset, you develop via some failure and adversity.

“That is the way you develop and enhance. I do know no person likes that that occurred in a Sooner uniform however you want that to occur. Hats off to Nebraska for being prepared out of the gate, however hats off to our guys for responding the suitable method.”

No matter what befell surrounding the Nebraska program, the Sooners had been ready for the ‘Huskers’ finest effort. However after the dismissal of Scott Frost final Sunday, Venables advised his crew to anticipate every part Nebraska might muster on Saturday.

“He’s at all times speaking about it’s going to be a battle,” OU defensive finish Jonah Laulu stated after the sport. “It’s going to be a battle and the hunt ought to be higher than the victory.

“So we had been anticipating it to be a troublesome battle. So when (Nebraska scored), Coach Venables stated, ‘Good. Good. They scored on us? Good. First drive of the sport they scored on us? Good. And it’s the way you reply.’ And I feel we responded the suitable method.”

The protection stored Thompson of their sights for the remainder of the primary half, dragging him down for 4 sacks earlier than the half.

And whereas the protection asserted their will, Jeff Lebby’s offense opened up the playbook.

Gabriel guided the offense to 355 whole yards and factors on 5 of eight drives within the first half alone.

The Sooner quarterback felt that the offense had self-inflicted errors on the primary drive, and his unit didn’t panic and made the mandatory changes to result in an explosive efficiency.

“Got here out and had missed alternatives on my half,” Gabriel stated. “I felt actually good in regards to the issues we had. However simply needed to get some momentum going, make huge performs and simply proceed to maintain coming at them.

“I felt that we answered again properly. Lot of issues to repair on my finish, for certain.”

Oklahoma’s early response was an important step in forging an id for the season, and one they’ll little doubt must lean on as extra adversity hits in convention play.

However the Sooners have cleared their first benchmark, and closed the e-book on non-conference play in dominating trend towards Nebraska.

“So much to be taught and develop with,” Venables stated. “Once more, we have not accomplished something aside from win our first street recreation and get to 3-0. We’ve received a very unbelievable problem subsequent weekend in Norman with Kansas State coming.”

Oklahoma opens convention play at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and the sport might be broadcast on FOX.

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