First Star: Kennedy Brooks, Running Back
In a game that featured a likely Heisman contender in Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Kennedy Brooks deserves his flowers.
The Mansfield product put together quite the day with 25 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Brooks called “game” with his back-breaking touchdown in the finals seconds to send Longhorns fans into a tailspin.
Throughout the day, his running kept Oklahoma balanced and kept them in the contest. When the Sooners went to Williams, Brooks’ ability to make plays was only magnified because Texas had to account for two running threats instead of just one with Rattler at quarterback. He carried the load and never faltered, reminding everyone of just how talented a player he is.
Honorable Mention: Caleb Kelly, Linebacker
The Sooners’ elder statesmen, Caleb Kelly, has played a ton of snaps in the Red River Showdown. He may not be counted on as a significant contributor game in and game out, but his leadership, focus, and energy are massive boosts to a team that needs it.
He’s been through many wars and had lots of ups and downs. When the game was up in the air, Kelly did his part to push Oklahoma over the top with a strip of freshman Xavier Worthy on a kickoff return. Kelly did it so smoothly it took an instant replay to confirm what Caleb Kelly already knew. His strip of Worthy will stand as one of the great plays in the history of the Red River Rivalry.
It’s a reminder that every team needs players like Caleb Kelly to be the glue and backbone of a roster. He may not be a star player for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he comes through in big moments and makes game-changing plays.
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