The Oklahoma Sooners should have one of the best running games in the entire country. The Sooners ranked 10th nationally a year ago averaging 219.4 yards per game.
That was with one guy, [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], taking the bulk of the Carrie’s. Gray ran for 1,366 yards and 13 touchdowns. The next highest was true freshman [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag] with 519 yards and five touchdowns.
There were going to be a lot of questions about the running back room heading into this season but then came the bowl game. In the Cheez-It Bowl, Barnes and fellow true freshman [autotag]Gavin Sawchuk[/autotag] both ran for more than 100 yards against a defense that ranked 15th nationally.
Sawchuk told reporters he feels the confidence he gained from that performance could help him have a big year this season.
“Just being able to have that experience of actually being out there on the field, especially against a team like [autotag]Florida State[/autotag], you know, a lot of confidence,” Sawchuk said. “Same thing preparing for the offseason. Still building that confidence and building the skills necessary to perfect my game and be ready for week one.”
It’s that one-game performance that makes a lot of Sooner fans feel the running back room could be the strongest on the team this season. But Sawchuk feels he has to build off of that momentum.
“Just confidence in knowing that I’ve already done it,” Sawchuk said. “Just being hungry for the opportunity, being ready for the opportunity. I know that when my time comes, I have to be prepared and I know what I have to do so that I am ready when it does come. So, come week one I’m ready for the game, I know what to expect and excited for what’s coming.”
There are a lot of expectations for these two running backs. But if that bowl game was any indication, this could be the best running back duo Oklahoma has had since [autotag]Joe Mixon[/autotag] and [autotag]Samaje Perine[/autotag]. Not bad company to be a part of.
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