Oklahoma snapped its three-game dropping streak towards Kansas final week, which means the Sooners carried a modicum of momentum into their bye week.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel dazzled in his return towards the Jayhawks, serving to OU put 701 complete yards and 52 factors on the scoreboard whereas delivering Brent Venables his first Huge 12 victory as a head coach.
The shortage of an opponent this weekend didn’t cease the work in Norman, as there’s nonetheless a lot Oklahoma wants to wash up headed into the house stretch of the season.
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Although an look within the Huge 12 Championship sport seems to be an extended shot with three convention losses already, there’s nonetheless a lot for OU to play for throughout its last 5 common season video games in 2022.
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The Sooners have struggled to cease the run this yr, permitting 207.4 yards per sport.
BRYAN TERRY / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK
Protection is Venables’ specialty, which makes the efficiency of Oklahoma protection that rather more maddening for the Sooners.
After a powerful exhibiting throughout the non-conference slate, OU regressed in a significant approach as Kansas State, TCU and Texas shredded the Sooner protection.
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With seven video games performed, Oklahoma ranks No. 120 total within the nation in speeding protection, permitting 207.4 yards per sport.
Not solely are the Sooners the worst speeding protection within the Huge 12, there are solely 10 faculties who’ve fared worse within the FBS.
OU felt the losses of Isaiah Thomas, Perrion Winfrey, Nik Bonitto and Brian Asamoah to the NFL, however Venables and Ted Roof’s insistence on sticking with the three-man entrance alongside the line of defense has additionally completed the Sooners no favors.
Venables maintains that he’s not going to simplify the protection as a result of it’s the system the Sooners need to run, however the actuality of this season is that OU has had little to no success outdoors of the Nebraska sport containing the run sport out of their odd entrance.
The four-man look was thrown again onto the sphere towards Kansas, and OU was a lot improved towards an impact Jayhawk speeding assault.
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KU solely ran for 166 yards final Saturday, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
The personnel can’t change at this level within the season, so the Sooners must make do with what they’ve received as they return to motion in Ames subsequent weekend.
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Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been good this yr when the offensive line retains him upright within the pocket.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
A significant query mark coming into the season, the offensive line has been a constant performer all yr lengthy for the Sooners.
Operating again Eric Grey has had gaping holes to run by means of the previous couple of weeks, and OU’s function again is working with confidence and placing in his greatest performances in an Oklahoma uniform consequently.
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Scroll to Proceed
However Invoice Bedenbaugh’s line can nonetheless assist stop unfavorable performs within the passing sport.
The Sooners have allowed 16 sacks this yr, which ranks eighty fifth within the nation.
Early on, a very good portion of these sacks could possibly be attributed to Gabriel holding on to the soccer for too lengthy, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an space the place OU can enhance.
Over the following 4 weeks, Oklahoma will line up throughout from Iowa State star Will McDonald IV, the huge inside of Baylor’s line of defense, West Virginia playmaker Dante Stills and Oklahoma State’s secure of influence go rushers.
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If Gabriel and the OU offense are going to proceed to outscore their opponents, the offensive line must maintain the proficient lefty clear within the pocket.
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OU linebacker DaShaun White hauled in his first profession interception final Saturday towards the Kansas Jayhawks.
Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports activities
Up till the Kansas sport, Oklahoma’s starters on offense had completed a superb job caring for the soccer.
Davis Beville was answerable for a fumble in mop-up obligation towards Nebraska, however in any other case, vast receiver Marvin Mims’ fumble towards TCU was one of many few unfavorable performs.
Grey threw an interception towards Texas, nevertheless it’s unlikely he would have ever been put in that place had Gabriel been wholesome.
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However the turnover bug hit Gabriel towards Kansas.
The Sooners’ quarterback was held answerable for a pair of fumbles and an interception towards the Jayhawks, one thing that must stay a one-game aberration for Oklahoma to have success down the stretch.
Regardless of caring for the soccer for a lot of the season, the Sooners nonetheless solely have a plus-one in turnover margin, which is tied for 66th within the nation.
OU’s protection has once more struggled to pressure turnovers, and if that continues to be unchanged the offense can’t give away any further possessions.
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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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