Oklahoma

Will Oklahoma State football offense show new life at BYU? Here’s a look at key matchups

Published

2 months ago

October 18, 2024

Will Oklahoma State football offense show new life at BYU? Here’s a look at key matchups

PROVO, Utah — While Oklahoma State’s struggles during its three-game losing streak have become predictable, the Cowboys come into this week’s game with at least a little mystery.

Who will be quarterback? What schematic changes were made during the bye week?

OSU (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) needs something to look different when they take on No. 13 BYU (6-0, 3-0) at 9:15 p.m. Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Can the Cowboys pull off another midseason turnaround, like they did after a 2-2 start last year?

It’ll take a significant reboot, but coach Mike Gundy and his staff have often shown a knack for shaking things up during a bye week.

Here’s a look at the matchup breakdown:

More: Mike Gundy ‘got head-butted’ by cow on Oklahoma State football bye week

When OSU runs the ball

BYU isn’t the best run defense around, so maybe Ollie Gordon II can find a few holes. Gordon has begun to show signs of breaking loose, but still is looking for his first run of at least 30 yards this season. The offensive line needed the extra week of preparation as much as anyone and must show a consistent ability to open holes for Gordon. Opponents are averaging 120 rushing yards per game against the Cougars.

When OSU throws the ball

The bigger question remains, who will be throwing the ball? Gundy said he and his staff would make a decision after Thursday’s practice, though redshirt sophomore Garret Rangel seems the likely candidate to run the show. Rangel has never had two consecutive weeks to prepare for a starting assignment — with the exception of the bowl game in 2022 after a dozen teammates had entered the transfer portal.

More: Oklahoma State football unveils game time, TV for Cowboys’ Week 9 game vs. Baylor

When BYU runs the ball

Here’s the question that looms over the OSU defense like a plague. The Pokes rank 129th nationally against the run, giving up 235.0 yards per game. Though BYU hasn’t been wildly impressive, it has shown efficiency when it runs the ball. And for opponents of the Cowboys so far, that has turned into big plays. With linebackers Nick Martin and Collin Oliver out for a considerable amount of time, defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo has to adjust within the framework of the talent he has to make the run defense more effective.

When BYU throws the ball

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff isn’t a world-beater, but he’s an adequate passer and a veteran who understands how to operate the Cougars’ offensive scheme. He’s completing 60.3% of his passes for an average of 237.7 yards per game. The OSU secondary has been better than it was last year at limiting big pass plays, but there’s always room for improvement.

OSU at BYU

KICKOFF: 9:15 p.m. Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah (ESPN)

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Oklahoma

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

Published

1 hour ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Report Card: Oklahoma moves to 11-0 with an 87-86 win over Michigan

The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners are now 11-0 after a wild 87-86 win over No. 24 Michigan, erasing an 11-point second-half deficit. Freshman Jeremiah Fears was the star down the stretch, finishing with 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play in the final seconds, to push OU to victory.

Fears wasn’t alone. Duke Miles contributed 17 points, with three big three-pointers, including a clutch shot during a 9-0 run that gave the Sooners their first lead of the second half. Jalon Moore also had 16 points before fouling out late.

The two seven-footers for Michigan — Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf — were a tough matchup for OU, as they are for most teams. Goldin dropped 26 points, while Wolf added 15. Both grabbed 10 rebounds for double-doubles.

Tre Donaldson (14 points) and Roddy Gayle (15 points) also had solid performances for Michigan. But in the end, it was Fears’ late heroics that sealed it for the Sooners. Now, let’s dive into the Report Card from Oklahoma’s ranked win:

MVP: Jeremiah Fears

It was a slower first half for Fears, but he continued to get to the line, drawing fouls at a high rate and racking up points from the free throw line. In the second half, though, he broke loose, scoring 20 of his career-high 30 points, including the game-winning four-point play.

In 34 minutes of action, Fears also recorded five turnovers and four assists. He shot 8-12 from the field, 3-4 from behind the arc, and 11-13 from the free throw line—making his 30-point performance even more impressive.

Oklahoma needed big-time shot-making from their guards if they were going to pull this one out, and Fears delivered, showcasing why he’s likely a future NBA lottery pick.

Fears has proven to be the biggest difference-maker in Porter Moser’s tenure at Oklahoma. The Sooners simply haven’t had a player who can do what he does. He showed the clutch gene that could make a huge impact as OU heads into SEC play.

Starting Five: A-minus

Fears was phenomenal, but Miles’ impressive play down the stretch cannot be overlooked. Oklahoma starts three guards, and we’ve seen each of them have their nights scoring-wise. The recipe for success, though, is having two of those guards clicking at once, and tonight, Fears and Miles delivered.

Miles totaled 17 points — 15 of which came in the second half — on 5-11 shooting from the field, 3-6 from behind the arc, and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. He hit several clutch shots, including one three-pointer that gave Oklahoma their first lead of the night.

Moore also contributed, adding 16 points on 4-12 shooting from the field and 3-5 from deep, despite being in foul trouble for much of the night. He ultimately fouled out late in the second half.

Sam Godwin chipped in with 6 points and 7 rebounds on 3-6 shooting, while Kobe Elvis added 5 points on 2-7 shooting, including 1-4 from behind the arc. With Fears going for 30, Miles putting up 17, and Moore adding 16, the starters had a strong night overall.

Bench: B-plus

Glenn Taylor stepped up in a big way for Oklahoma. Playing 29 minutes — second most on the team — Taylor totaled 9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. He shot 3-5 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc.

Taylor was a key defensive presence throughout the entire game, but he also contributed offensively, particularly in the first half. He scored 8 first-half points and hit two timely three-pointers. His all-around play, making several small but important contributions, helped Oklahoma secure the win.

In other bench news: Luke Northweather scored 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 14 minutes, while Brycen Goodine added 2 points on 1-2 shooting in 11 minutes. Dayton Forsythe had a solid 5-minute stint, and Mohamed Wague played just two minutes.

Rebounding: B

It’s important to note that Michigan’s two seven-footers posed a tough matchup for Oklahoma, and heading into the game, it was expected that the Wolverines would win the rebounding battle. They did, 37-32, but the Sooners kept it close, losing the battle by just five. Given the size disparity, losing by just five on the boards is a solid effort for OU.

Three-Point Shooting: A-plus

The Sooners were red-hot from beyond the arc, shooting 6-12 (50%) in the second half and finishing 12-25 (48%) for the game.

This sharp shooting played a huge role in their comeback win. With Michigan building an 11-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining, OU knew they needed to keep knocking down shots from deep—and they did just that. Miles, Fears, and Moore each hit three three-pointers, while Taylor contributed with two of his own.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

Published

9 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners, Jeremiah Fears stun Michigan Wolverines in comeback effort

The Oklahoma Sooners improved to 11-0 on the 2024-2025 college basketball season with an incredible come-from-behind win over the Michigan Wolverines in the Jumpman Invitational.

Jeremiah Fears dazzled with a career-high 30 points, including the game-tying three with 11 seconds remaining, and after being fouled on the three, put the Sooners ahead for good at the foul line.

The Oklahoma Sooners are 11-0 for just the second time in the last 10 years and are now 2-0 against top-25 opponents this season.

Sooners Battled

Porter Moser’s squad showed incredible toughness in the win over the Wolverines. Michigan boasts two of the better big men in the nation in Vladisl Goldin and Danny Wolf. The two combined for 41 points, including 27 first half points.

But Moser made adjustments, and the Sooners defense battled back in the second half to limit the two to just 14 points. Despite being undersized on the inside, Jalon Moore, Sam Godwin, Luke Northweather, and Glenn Taylor Jr. took the fight to the Wolverines impressive big men.

The Sooners overcame 11-point deficits on two different occasions in the second half to take a four-point lead late in the half. And even after they allowed Michigan to take over and go up three with just over a minute to play, Moser drew up a great play to get Fears just enough space to hit the game-tying three with just 11 seconds to play.

It was a resilient win for the Sooners. Through 11 games, Oklahoma looks like a team ready to make a tournament run.

Phenomenal Freshman

Jeremiah Fears has been impressive throughout the season, but he took his game to another level in the win over Michigan. He was 8 of 12 from the field, 3 of 4 from three, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line to lead the Sooners.

His previous career high came in Oklahoma’s other top 25 win of the season against the Arizona Wildcats. Fears has put together his best performances for Oklahoma’s toughest tests.

In the final five minutes of the Sooners’ comeback win, Fears accounted for seven of Oklahoma’s final nine points to earn the win.

He’s been sensational this season and looks every bit the part of a future NBA Draft Lottery Pick.

Three’s the Difference

The Oklahoma Sooners were outrebounded by six on the offensive glass, but they overcame Michigan’s edge on the boards with a really good night shooting from a distance.

Oklahoma was 12 of 25 from three, while Michigan was just 4 of 28 from downtown. Moore, Fears, and Duke Miles each hit three triples and Taylor added a pair off the bench.

If the Sooners can continue to shoot with consistency from three, they’ll be really tough to beat this season. Especially as Fears and Moore continue to finish in the paint.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Published

17 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma transfer DB commits to Colorado

Oklahoma transfer DB Makari Vickers committed to Colorado, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Vickers spent two seasons in Norman, but took a redshirt this past year. He played in four games, totaling one tackle in that time. That came after eight appearances in 2023 when he had eight tackles and a pass defended as a true freshman.

Vickers played high school football at Tallahassee (FL) Robert F Munroe Day School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 83 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have once again been active in the transfer portal so far this cycle. Makari Vickers marks the seventh commitment for Colorado and is the latest splash on Wednesday.

Colorado picked up a notable commitment from former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter on Wednesday. He will join elite signee Julian Lewis in the Buffs’ quarterback room and arrives as the No. 11-ranked quarterback to hit the portal so far, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

This past season, Salter threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 579 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That came after a breakout 2023 campaign when he had 2,876 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in the air to go with 1,089 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the running game.

Over the course of four seasons, Salter had 5,889 yards, 56 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, a 58.7% completion percentage, 2,006 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He will have one year of eligibility remaining as he makes his way to Boulder.

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