Oklahoma’s Alternate Uniforms Didn’t Beat KU, But Players Drew Energy, Unity From Them

NORMAN — Followers could also be divided on Oklahoma’s alternate uniforms.

The gamers, it appears, aren’t.

“I really like ‘em,” mentioned offensive deal with Anton Harrison. “It was nice. If we might put on ‘em each week, I might.”

“I’ll give it an A,” mentioned linebacker David Ugwoegbu. “Strong A, A-plus. A-plus.”

The anthracite grey, the crimson stripes, the white-trimmed numbers, the state of Oklahoma define on the sleeve, the Prentice Gaunt-inspired “UNITY” on the again nameplate — gamers appreciated nearly all the pieces concerning the new kits on Saturday towards Kansas, even when the sport announcers and different media monitoring the sport had a tough time maintaining with numbers and participant names.

Dillon Gabriel’s return at quarterback wasn’t the one factor that juiced up the gamers in OU’s 52-42 bounceback victory.

“I feel simply Dillon coming again, , a bit swag with the uniforms,” mentioned operating again Eric Grey, who rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns. “You understand, exterior elements do not win video games, however it positively is a morale booster. However I feel it was a mixture of each.”

However whether or not it was Gabriel’s return (that’s apparent) or new uniforms (that’s superficial at greatest), Oklahoma regarded like a unique crew on Saturday.

“Power,” mentioned cornerback C.J. Coldon. “Everyone on the sideline was turnt. That’s the massive distinction. Even should you’re not enjoying, you continue to must convey power on the sideline, simply bringing that juice each week. As a result of power, everyone feeds off of that. I simply felt just like the power was the most effective at this time and it was early, that was an excellent factor. It’s an excellent feeling.”

“Dillon’s part of it,” mentioned wideout Marvin Mims, “however simply the power on the sidelines, how we strategy the sport, simply extra energetic.”

Coach Brent Venables described extra effectivity and higher execution, however appeared to imagine that, apart from Gabriel, there wasn’t that a lot completely different about Saturday’s win in comparison with 49-0 in Dallas and 55-21 in Fort Price.

“Only a tiny bit extra disciplined,” Venables mentioned. “Doesn’t take a lot to be within the improper aspect.”

Reality is, breaking out the brand new uniforms — and getting Gabriel again — couldn’t have come at a greater time. This crew was hurting. Three straight losses, two blowouts, one to their rival, had taken a toll. The gamers wanted one thing to be ok with.

“Issues haven’t been going our means for the previous three weeks,” Mims mentioned, “so simply to have the ability to return on the market and begin enjoying soccer once more, begin having enjoyable … guys actually harped on that this week. I really feel like simply from an power standpoint, simply the want-to, to go on the market and play for one another, that’s the largest factor.”

The win couldn’t have come at a greater time, both. OU now has one thing constructive to construct on heading into the open date. They’ll have a number of gentle days of follow, then get three days off, then get again to work for Iowa State — and the ultimate 5 video games — subsequent week.

“I feel it was fairly vital,” linebacker DaShaun White mentioned. “It is a type of issues like we have been actually dedicated to only form of getting out of the mud. And we at all times felt like as quickly as we acquired it again on observe like we might have the ability to form of regularly construct from that. And so I feel that everybody’s on the identical web page. Everybody’s actually excited concerning the win at this time. However I feel everybody’s form of on the identical web page of that is simply the first step. “

The underside line is the jersey have been common among the many gamers, however they didn’t make anybody play higher. Moderately, the issues they symbolize, like unity, energy, dignity, overcoming challenges — think about Gautt’s private trials as he broke OU’s colour barrier within the Fifties — helped convey the Sooners collectively to grab a important victory.

“Unity was massive this week,” Harrison mentioned. “It’s massive each week. We wish to be Group 128. We have been collectively. We’re brothers. We acquired every others’ again it doesn’t matter what. So unity is at all times massive with us.”

“On the finish of the day,” mentioned Ugwoegbu, “whoever has the cooler jersey is not going to play higher. The thought of it’s nice, however I do not assume we will put that a lot energy into the jerseys.

“Placing these jerseys collectively, placing the phrase ‘unity’ on the again, it is simply enormous for us as a result of it simply emphasizes all the pieces Coach Venables and this program is all about.”

Having mentioned all that, would Ugwoegbu wish to put on them once more in two weeks at Iowa State? Or not less than for the remainder of the house video games?

“If it was as much as me, yeah,” he mentioned. “Let’s do it each week.”