NORMAN — It was Dec. 7, only a day after Brent Venables was launched as Oklahoma’s latest head coach, when information broke that Invoice Bedenbaugh would return because the Sooners’ offensive line coach.
A gaggle of 16 younger males — OU’s present rely of o-linemen — celebrated in Norman.
“Once we heard Coach B was coming again, that was for certain a plus,” stated heart Andrew Raym. “Each man within the o-line room was comfortable about it. We knew we have been going to be set this yr.”
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Oklahoma offensive line coach Invoice Bedenbaugh
Invoice Bedenbaugh with Anton Harrison and Marquis Hayes
Invoice Bedenbaugh stated he desires to retire in Oklahoma.
“I used to be so comfortable and blessed that Bedenbaugh obtained to say,” stated proper guard Chris Murray. “That’s my man. He has all my belief.”
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Bedenbaugh coaches his guys laborious, they usually love him for it. Having one of the crucial completed assistant coaches in faculty soccer return — within the face of such tumultuous upheaval — gave everybody quick assurance that every part can be OK.
“It was large,” stated left sort out Anton Harrison. “I felt like him staying actually confirmed how a lot he cares about us and about Oklahoma. That drove me. Him staying drives me extra daily to do my finest and develop into the participant I do know I will be.”
Bedenbaugh obtained the query in early March in regards to the alternative Venables gave him, and he answered it with nearly startling forthrightness and readability.
“I came upon that Sunday (when Venables’ plan landed in Norman),” Bedenbaugh stated. “I did. It is lots of unknowns. You do not know. You’ve got obtained a household. That is crucial factor and that is the very first thing that goes via your head. My children have grown up right here. My spouse’s from Oklahoma.
“I used to be lucky sufficient to have the time to attend round. Bought a reasonably good relationship with our administration and let or not it’s recognized that I wished to remain if I might. There is no ensures. However in some unspecified time in the future, I needed to decide if I did not know what was gonna occur. It labored out for the most effective.”
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Bedenbaugh has lengthy been lauded as top-of-the-line offensive line coaches within the nation. Bob Stoops employed him, Lincoln Riley saved him, and Venables wasted no time retaining him.
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“I really like Oklahoma. I really like residing right here. I really like every part about this place,” Bedenbaugh stated. “I feel it is particular. … Hell, I am gonna reside in Oklahoma once I retire. I’ve obtained a home at Grand Lake. That is the place I am gonna reside. I am not from Oklahoma. I’ve stated this earlier than. I did not play right here, however that is my house now. Simply glad it labored out.”
So are his gamers — these returning, and the brand new ones.
“Not a lot must be stated,” stated switch portal arrival McKade Mettauer, “if you’re at a faculty like this with the teaching workers and the accolades that coach Bedenbaugh has.”
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Even a participant like Wanya Morris, who transferred from Tennessee final yr amid a lot fanfare however by no means was capable of climb the depth chart and work his approach into any substantial taking part in time, has a deep appreciation for his place coach.
“Once you undergo the portal and also you see issues for the second time, you get to see these coaches who’ve been there and accomplished that,” Morris stated. “He has the great stats and (he’s) a beautiful particular person, on and off the sector. Why wouldn’t I? He’s accomplished it earlier than, why can’t he do it with me?”
This yr’s offensive line should substitute left guard Marquis Hayes and proper sort out Tyrese Robinson, and people coming again want to point out progress. That’s taking place this spring, gamers say.
“Clearly we’ve gamers that wanted to step up, as in myself and different gamers on the O-line, to steer the offense,” Harrison stated. “I really feel prefer it’s getting fairly good. There are nonetheless areas we have to develop in. However all in all, we’re rising daily.”
Hayes and Robinson might have returned, however selected to show professional. Others had the chance to depart however determined to return again.
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Bedenbaugh is likely one of the causes.
“In fact there was some ideas on leaving final yr,” Murray stated, “however on the finish of the day I simply needed to sit down with coach Bedenbaugh and simply speak about what was finest for me and what was finest for the staff, and that was me coming again one other yr. I’ll simply depart it at that.
“I belief him and this teaching workers and this college, so me coming again was what he thought was finest and what I assumed was finest, so I used to be going to try this.”
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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