Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s Key Lawrence and Billy Bowman are Finding Stability at Safety

Published

2 years ago

September 8, 2022

Oklahoma’s Key Lawrence and Billy Bowman are Finding Stability at Safety

NORMAN — Key Lawrence is having fun with stability on the again finish of Oklahoma’s protection.

The junior bounced across the OU secondary final 12 months, beginning at security and getting moved over to nook as soon as an damage to Woodi Washington depleted the secondary depth.

As soon as he discovered his position, Lawrence made his presence felt. Lawrence was one of many few vibrant spots within the OU go protection, breaking apart 4 passes and forcing three fumbles.

Offseason teaching adjustments alongside the defensive workers might have disrupted Lawrence’s momentum, however as a substitute he’s embraced the adjustments.

Safeties coach Brandon Corridor moved Lawrence again to his place group, and Lawrence embraced the change previous offseason.

“Soccer is soccer regardless of the place you go,” Lawrence mentioned after follow on Tuesday. “The entire thing that’s totally different is the truth that I’m lining up at totally different locations it doesn’t matter what the offense does. So I believe I’m doing fairly good thus far with it.”

Digesting the brand new playbook, Lawrence additionally seemed inside himself to tackle a brand new position off the sphere in 2022.

“(Enjoying security) appears like house,” he mentioned. “Understanding that I’m a frontrunner now and I’m simply attempting to carry hat accountability to myself. Simply attempting to maintain all people in entrance of me to the very best commonplace that I maintain myself.

“Simply retaining all the things structured with how Coach (Brent) Venables needs it to be and simply wish to maintain myself to a better commonplace as nicely.”

Two individuals actually helped Lawrence embrace all of the adjustments this previous offseason.

Corridor labored all offseason with Lawrence to assist him perceive Venables’ scheme, giving Lawrence the instruments to play quick and depend on his soccer instincts.

“(Coach Corridor’s) like a father determine,” Lawrence mentioned. “Simply attempting to grasp that there’s numerous issues coming at us without delay so we simply have to take our time, gradual it down. Attempt to be taught it, diagnose it, residing within the second.”

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And whereas Lawrence constructed a large amount of belief along with his coach on the sidelines, he’s constructed one other robust bond along with his fellow security, Billy Bowman.

The pair began Saturday’s season opener towards UTEP collectively, enjoying a majority of snaps as OU’s safeties.

Bowman went by his personal curler coaster experience final 12 months, as he was additionally requested to play a number of positions within the secondary as a real freshman.

Venables’ defensive system is far more sophisticated than the earlier regime, however the consistency of Bowman and Lawrence working collectively at security daily has allowed the 2 to type a robust partnership.

“I simply construct off his chemistry, man,” Lawrence mentioned. “Similar to we have now a brotherhood and all the things is so shut now, I really feel like all the things is intertwined with one another. I perceive the place he’s gonna be simply by being at follow with him daily. We perceive the offensive schemes higher. So all the things’s simply intertwined with one another. It helps me that I’ve someone simply pretty much as good as Billy is subsequent to me and I can simply belief him and perceive that he’s gonna be the place he’s presupposed to be.”

Lawrence and Bowman wasted no time exhibiting off their potential towards the Miners.

Bowman tied linebacker Danny Stutsman for the group chief in tackles, wrapping up the UTEP ball service 9 occasions, whereas Bowman additionally broke up a pair of passes. Lawrence wasn’t liable for any defended passes, however he additionally logged three tackles within the victory without having a ton to do because of OU’s stout run protection.

On Saturday, Lawrence and Bowman will look to proceed to develop into the protection, as Lawrence mentioned Venables simply preaches that if the group performs inside themselves, good issues will occur.

“I belief that Billy is gonna be the place he’s presupposed to be always,” Lawrence mentioned. “And BV preaches that we have now to belief one another and belief like it doesn’t matter what we don’t have to do the additional issues. We don’t have to go make performs as a result of performs will come to us if we’re simply doing our job.”

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Oklahoma

What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds

Published

6 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

What time, TV channel is the Oklahoma Sooners vs Auburn football on today? Free live stream, spread, game odds

The No. 21 ranked Oklahoma Sooners face the Auburn Tigers with a true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. being named the starter after an impressive second half in a loss to Tennessee last week. This game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 28 with a live broadcast on ABC, and streaming live on ESPN Plus.

• WATCH: Auburn vs. Oklahoma football live for FREE with Fubo (free trial), or stream this game and more on the cheap with one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

The betting odds for this game have moved all over the place, originally opening with the Sooners as the favorites. However, most sportsbooks now have Auburn as slight favorites over Oklahoma in this matchup.

What TV channel is the Oklahoma vs. Auburn game on?

When: Kickoff takes place at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on Saturday, September 28.

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium | Auburn, AL

TV Channel: ABC, and streaming on ESPN Plus

How to watch live stream online: If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial). If you are out of free trials, the cheapest and best way to watch this game and more football this month is by signing up for one month of ESPN+ (costs $10.99/month, cancel anytime).

If you already have a cable or satellite subscription already, you can watch the game on Watch ESPN or the ESPN app by signing in with your provider information.

You can find out more about which channel ABC is on in your area by using the channel finders here: Comcast Xfinity, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice.

Oklahoma vs. Auburn spread, betting odds

Point Spread: OU: +1 | AUB: -1

Moneyline: OU: -105 | AUB: -115

Over/Under: 44.5

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Oklahoma

LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn

Published

14 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

LB Dasan McCullough Joins List of 11 Oklahoma Players Unavailable against Auburn

The list of unavailable players for the Sooners just keeps growing.

Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough will not be available for OU’s game against Auburn at 2:30 pm. Saturday, according to the most recent SEC availability report that was released Friday night. McCullough also missed last week’s game against Tennessee after being listed as doubtful most of last week. He was listed as questionable this week until Friday.

McCullough joined a list of 10 other Sooners that will be unavailable for Week 5. The only other OU player included on the availability report was offensive lineman Jake Taylor, who was listed as probable. Unless he’s considered a game-time decision, Taylor’s status will be known when the final availability report is released 90 minutes before OU and Auburn kicks off.

The bright side of this week’s report is that it looks like Geirean Hatchett, who is out for the season, will be the only offensive lineman the Sooners will not have available.

Those unavailable include five of OU’s top receivers in Jayden Gibson, Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Deion Burks. Gibson has already been ruled out for the season, while Farooq is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after breaking his foot in the Sooners’ season opener against Temple. Anderson made his first appearance of the season last week but was injured during the opening drive.

Burks was the newest receiver added to OU’s injured reserve on Thursday after also suffering an injury against Tennessee. Burks is the Sooners’ leading receiver with 26 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The next leading pass catcher is tight end Bauer Sharp with 14 catches and 116 yards.

So many injuries to OU receivers even influenced Brent Venables to switch cornerback Jacobe Johnson to wide receiver. And the Sooners are enduring all these injuries at receiver as freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. is set to make his first career start Saturday.

Freshman running back Taylor Tatum and defensive back Kendel Dolby were also injured last week. Tatum was ruled out on Thursday, while Dolby, who plays the cheetah position, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on Wednesday. Fellow defensive back Gentry Williams was also ruled unavailable for Saturday.

The biggest shock of this week was kicker Tyler Keltner, who will be unavailable after an emergency appendectomy. Zach Schmit will presumably take over all kicking duties after participating in only kickoffs so far this season.

As for Auburn, the Tigers’ list is much shorter. Auburn will be without defensive backs Tyler Scott and Champ Anthony, as well as tight end Brandon Frazier. Defensive lineman Isaiah Raikes, kicker Alex McPherson and offensive lineman Izavion Miller are listed as probable.

WR Jayden Gibson, Out
LB Dasan McCullough, Out
WR Jalil Farooq, Out
WR Nic Anderson, Out
WR Andrel Anthony, Out
WR Deion Burks, Out
RB Taylor Tatum, Out
DB Gentry Williams, Out
DB Kendel Dolby, Out
OL Geirean Hatchett, Out
K Tyler Keltner, Out
OL Jake Taylor, Probable

DB Tyler Scott, Out
DB Champ Anthony, Out
TE Brandon Frazier, Out
DL Isaiah Raikes, Probable
K Alex McPherson, Probable
OL Izavion Miller, Probable

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Oklahoma

Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners

Published

24 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Sources: Auburn’s Thorne to be QB1 vs. Sooners

Eli Lederman, ESPN Staff WriterSep 27, 2024, 04:35 PM ET
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Veteran quarterback Payton Thorne will start for Auburn when No. 21 Oklahoma visits Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday afternoon, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel Friday.

Thorne, the former Michigan State transfer, started 13 games for the Tigers last fall. He returned as the program’s starter in 2024 before he was replaced by redshirt freshman Hank Brown in Week 3. In Thorne, Auburn will have an experienced starter under center in Week 5 against a Sooners defense that leads the nation in turnovers (12) and ranks 28th in total defense this fall.

Auburn initially turned to Brown after Thorne threw a career-high four interceptions in a 21-14 home defeat to Cal on Sept. 7. Brown led the Tigers past New Mexico in his first career start in Week 3, but struggled against Arkansas last Saturday, completing 7-of-13 passes for 72 yards with three interceptions. After Auburn went scoreless before halftime, Thorne took over at quarterback in the second half of the 24-14 home loss, finishing 13-for-23 for 213 yards with two touchdowns and interception.

Both quarterbacks turned in strong weeks of practice ahead of this weekend’s visit from Oklahoma, but Auburn will go with Thorne Saturday, banking on his experience and the momentum he built in his relief work against Arkansas as the Tigers chase their first SEC win of 2024.

Auburn hosts the Sooners at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC in Oklahoma’s first SEC road game.

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