[autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after his heroics in the win over Auburn. It’s the third SEC weekly award for the Sooners. Punter Luke Elzinga was named Special Teams Player of the Week for week one, and defensive tackle Gracen Halton earned Defensive Player of the Week in the Sooners week two win over Houston.
With the Sooners trailing by five late in the fourth quarter, Lewis looked to be blitzing on third-and-four. Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne thought as much and attempted to throw the ball to the spot Lewis looked to have vacated. However, shortly after the snap, Lewis disengaged the offensive lineman and dropped quickly into coverage just as Thorne threw the ball right to the Sooners linebacker.
Lewis intercepted the pass after a brief bobble and immediately raced down the sideline 63 yards for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the Sooners win.
In addition to the pick-six, Lewis recorded five total tackles and a tackle for loss. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded player in the win and looked like Oklahoma’s best defender throughout. PFF credited him with four stops, which consider down and distance.
Lewis has turned into one of Oklahoma’s best defenders since emerging into a starting role in 2023. His play speed and physicality have been huge for the Sooners.
Oklahoma has one of the best linebacker rooms in the nation in 2024. While Danny Stutsman often garners the headlines, Lewis and the rest of the bunch have been turning in noteworthy performances in 2024.
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