[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=none image=https://soonerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
It’s officially gameday for the Valero Alamo Bowl where Oklahoma puts a wrap on its 2021 season against the Oregon Ducks at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
Oklahoma’s defense will be led by inside linebackers coach Brian Odom who is off to join Lincoln Riley and coach the same position at USC in 2022. Odom will be serving as a defensive play-caller for the first time in this game against the Ducks.
Odom knows the Sooners are set to face a talented Oregon team.
“I think that Oregon is going to be a tremendous challenge for us on the defensive side of the ball. I’ve always had a lot of great respect for the offense at Oregon and how they do things and how they’ve done it in the past. I faced them multiple years when I worked in the Pac-12 Conference. Obviously a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Oregon football team, and I know a lot of those coaches personally, and they all do a great job. We’ve got our work cut out for us on game day,” Odom said.
Four defensive starters opted out of this game against Oregon: linebacker Brian Asamoah, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.
Let’s take a look at three players that will be key against the Ducks.
Senior linebacker DaShaun White
With Asamoah out of the equation, that opens the door for junior linebacker David Ugwoegbu and freshman linebacker Danny Stutsman to have larger roles. It also means that senior linebacker DaShaun White needs his best in what could be his final game with OU.
The North Richland Hills, Texas, product is third on the Sooners with 60 tackles on the season, including five tackles for loss.
As one of Oklahoma’s team leaders and a senior, White described what the last several weeks have been like with Riley leaving, interim head coach Bob Stoops stepping in and Brent Venables being named OU’s new head coach.
“I don’t know if any of the last few months having normal, but I would say for me it’s really just been about enjoying the moment, embracing all the opportunities I have with my teammates, the coaches. Just spending a lot of time with them on and off the field. It’s as simple as that to me.
“Just trying to make the best of every situation with this team, and we’ve got one last one to go after, and that’s the one we’re focused on, and honestly just can’t wait to be able to go out there and hit the field with these guys,” White said.