There was 1:17 left in the 4th quarter, in the Cotton Bowl, in the biggest game of the season for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners offense trotted on the field missing their leading receiver, [autotag]Andrel Anthony[/autotag], and a starting offensive lineman who had played a ton of snaps in his career, [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag].
Instead, two fresh faces were in to replace them and both ended up making a huge impact on that drive. [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], who had played this season after missing most of last season, caught the game-winning touchdown pass. [autotag]Caleb Shaffer[/autotag], who is spending his first season in Norman after transferring from the [autotag]Miami (OH) Redhawks[/autotag], threw several key blocks to keep the Texas Longhorns pressure from getting to [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag].
Shaffer talked about what it was like to come into that game at that crucial moment.
“Once in a lifetime moment, for sure, looking back,” Shaffer said. “In the moment, I had to be focused. We had a game to win. We had to prepare. But when Coach B (Bill Bedenbaugh) called my name, I just got my mind ready. That’s what we’re here for. I got an opportunity. We prepare all week super hard. Practice execution equals game reality. When he threw me out there, I’m just going to fall back on what I’m coached, what I’m trained to do.”
Now, it’s unsure if Shaffer will be the starter going forward with Mettauer expected to miss a few weeks. He was named a captain for this week’s matchup, which could be a sign of things to come this Saturday. He’s earned himself an opportunity to get more reps going forward. That could start this Saturday against a defensive line that has struggled, especially against the run, since conference play started.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.