Kip Lewis, LB
Coming into the season, Oklahoma knew it had talent at linebacker. Danny Stutsman was at the center of that evaluation. He was an All-American last season, received a lot of preseason All-American and All-SEC love, and was named to countless watch lists.
He performed well on Saturday, but the best linebacker on the field for the Sooners was a young man named Kip Lewis.
Lewis was all over the field and played with a sense of urgency. He was critical in the run game and came away with the play of the game.
After the Oklahoma Sooners cut Auburn’s lead to 21-16, the Tigers were driving on a worn-out Sooners defense. Running back Jarquez Hunter had rattled off a 22-yard gain to get Auburn into Oklahoma territory. But the Sooners forced Thorne and the Tigers offense into a third-and-4 after a tackle for a two-yard loss by Samuel Omosigho.
Defensive coordinator Zac Alley showed blitz on the snap before dropping his linebackers into the passing windows. Thorne read the blitz and tried to throw the ball to the spot initially vacated by Lewis. Lewis dropped into the passing lane and intercepted the pass before racing 63 yards to the end zone for the go-ahead score.
He graded out on Pro Football Focus as the team’s highest-rated defender overall and posted the best grade in coverage. Lewis recorded five total tackles and a tackle for loss to go along with his interception return for a touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, he only missed one tackle and recorded four stops. His speed and instincts were on display on Saturday afternoon.