Oklahoma narrowly escaped on Saturday against UCF in a game many did not foresee as razor-tight. At no point outside of the game’s first minutes did Oklahoma have control.
Ultimately, that remained the case for the rest of the game. However, somehow, Oklahoma found themselves walking off Owen Field still undefeated and 7-0, surpassing their 2022 win total in October of this year.
While the product was far from pretty, the result mattered, and the Sooners won. A few players from the team stood out, and we have declared them our three stars for this week.
Three Stars of the Game
No. 1 Star – Ethan Downs, DE
Ethan Downs has upped his level of play this season and has become an impact defender along the defensive line for the Sooners.
He had a lights-out performance vs. Texas and was just as disruptive against UCF.
He had a highlight play that saw him blow up two UCF players on a 3rd and 8 in the first quarter and ended up sacking Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee.
Downs also had five tackles in the run game and was credited with a tackle for loss. His ability to set the edge was vital in forcing UCF to run between the tackles, where they did not have the physical or schematical advantage against the Sooners.
No. 2 Star – Trace Ford, DL
Trace Ford had arguably his best game of the season on Saturday. He was a disruptive force on the ground and as a pass rusher.
Ford came up with two tackles for loss and knocked down two passes at the line of scrimmage. He was active and energetic.
While he did struggle to contain the edge at times, he was undoubtedly one of the more impactful defenders on Saturday.
No. 3 Star – Nic Anderson, WR
There’s no way to overstate Nic Anderson’s arrival this year, but he’s announced himself in a big way. He’s third on the team in receiving yards, first in touchdowns, and is averaging 24.8 yards per reception.
On Saturday, he scored twice, led the team in receiving yards, and further proved to be a reliable weapon in the passing game.
Anderson is showcasing route running, awareness, and explosiveness.
With Andrel Anthony out for the remainder of this season, Nic Anderson looks like he’s officially a starter for the long haul. Oklahoma will depend on him to make plays going forward. It’s up to Anderson to continue to make the most of those opportunities.
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