Tag: 2021 Oklahoma Sooners Football

‘Too good to pass up’: Lincoln Riley talks OU exit and USC job on ESPN’s College GameDay

Former Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley joined College GameDay and discussed his reasons for leaving to USC.

The questions aren’t going away any time soon for former Oklahoma head football coach Lincoln Riley. That was the case again as Riley joined ESPN’s College GameDay and was asked why he chose to leave OU to become the new head football coach at USC.

ESPN’s David Pollack asked Riley how hard his decision to leave Oklahoma was.

“It was, I don’t know that I can even describe how hard it was, but executing it was hard. The people there that you love, the relationships, all the great memories. That was the hard part, but this was the right thing for my family, for me professionally. It was just the right place at the right time, and so really had no hesitation about that part of it. Just again I feel like what this can be is I think we’re very uniquely positioned right now with all that’s changing in college football and as you looked ahead, I felt like, man, this was just too good to pass up,” Riley said.

Riley takes over a USC program that ended its 2021 season with a 4-8 record. The Trojans lost six of their last seven games and finished the season on a four-game losing streak.

Riley is also looking to find another assistant coach after reports surfaced yesterday that former OU assistant coach Jamar Cain would no longer be following Riley to USC. Instead, Cain is reportedly off to join Brian Kelly’s staff at LSU as the Tigers’ defensive line coach and run game coordinator.

Cain coached outside linebackers and defensive ends at Oklahoma.

While Riley shipped off to Hollywood, Oklahoma hired its top target to be its next head football coach in former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

“I’m honored and I’m humbled to stand with you and before you today as your next head football coach here at Oklahoma. Again, one of the winningest and storied, tradition-rich programs in the history of college football,” Venables said on Dec. 6 in his introduction ceremony inside the Everest Center in Norman.

If what Riley was referring to with his comments about college football changing was OU and Texas moving to the SEC, then Oklahoma fans can feel good that they have the right head coach to lead them into the nation’s toughest conference and into the future.

“Now, taking the lead and also taking it through one of the biggest transitions in the history of college football. Taking Oklahoma from the Big 12 to the SEC, you’ve got your guy to take you on this journey. Also, make no mistake about it. Oklahoma has been and always will be the measuring stick in college football. We will employ an exciting, fast, explosive and diverse offense combined with a physical, punishing, suffocating defense,” Venables said.

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Oklahoma offensive lineman Marquis Hayes declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Oklahoma redshirt senior offensive lineman Marquis Hayes announced that he is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Oklahoma offensive lineman Marquis Hayes announced that he is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

“First, I would like to thank God, without him, none of this would be possible. The last five years in Norman are times I will always be grateful for. Thank you to my parents for the pivotal role you played and the sacrifices you made.

“Thank you to the coaching staff especially, Coach B for helping me develop into the man I am today on and off the field. Thank you to my teammates for the bond and brotherhood we have built. It has been a goal of mine to compete at the highest level. With that being said, I will be foregoing my final year of eligibility and declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft. I am proud to forever and always be a part of sooner nation. Boomer Sooner,” Hayes wrote in his announcement.

Hayes started at left guard in each of the 37 games he played in for Oklahoma over the last three seasons. The only game he missed in that stretch was the South Dakota game due to injury during the 2019 season.

The 6-foot-5, 324 pound offensive lineman out of Saint Louis, Mo., was one of seven Sooners named to the All-Big 12 second team. Hayes was selected to the All-Big 12 second team by both the coaches and Associated Press. Hayes was also a member of the 2021 academic All-Big 12 team.

Hayes joins redshirt senior tight end Jeremiah Hall as Oklahoma offensive players that have declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

On defense, linebacker redshirt junior Brian Asamoah, redshirt junior outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, redshirt senior defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and senior defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey have also declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Kicker Gabe Brkic has also declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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3 stars from the Oklahoma Sooners 47-32 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl

Who were the Oklahoma Sooners 3 stars from their 47-32 Alamo Bowl win over the Oregon Ducks?

Another season has reached its end for the Sooners and while it didn’t end with them hoisting a national title, they were able to end it on a high note with a win against a ranked opponent in the Oregon Ducks. The dominant win gives them some momentum as they head towards some time off and then winter workouts.

Months ago if you said that Bob Stoops would be the interim head coach for this bowl game with Brent Venables, the head coach in waiting someone would’ve considered having you institutionalized but we somehow found ourselves in that situation.

Now that the game is over and Stoops has officially and symbolically passed the torch on to Venables, the Sooners are ready to roll into the future. But last night’s performance gave us one more glimpse at this year’s team with a few guys standing out in San Antonio one last time. So let’s check out this week’s three stars!

Caleb Williams, QB

While he still has a massive decision looming, nothing seemed to be weighing too heavily on Caleb Williams’ mind as he put together a complete performance to close out an absolute whirlwind of a true freshman year.

Against the Ducks, Williams completed 21 of 27 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns while rushing seven times for 34 yards. For the sixth time this season, he threw at least two touchdown passes.

After an opening drive that stalled out, it seemed like Williams and first-time play-caller Cale Gundy found exactly how to attack Oregon and never let up as the offense roared up and down the field.

Williams looked decisive, composed in the pocket, and threw some absolute lasers to receivers Jalil Farooq, Mario Williams, and a bomb like the one below to Marvin Mims.

After showing some noticeable development in his pocket presence, Williams wrapped up his true freshman year on a great note.

He heads into an offseason clouded with a major decision to make in regards to where he will play next year. If this was his last hurrah with Oklahoma, it was a heck of a lasting impression. And if it wasn’t, he provided yet another glimpse at what makes Williams such a fascinating player.

Up Next: Running Game Impressive

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5 Takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners 47-32 win over the Oregon Ducks

It was a great team effort in the Alamo Bowl as the Sooners knocked off the Ducks 47-32 behind Kennedy Brooks and Caleb Williams big games.

Everything turned up aces for the Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday in their Valero Alamo Bowl win over the Oregon Ducks. After a 6-3 stalemate in the first quarter, the Sooners broke it open with 24 second quarter points to go into halftime with a 30-3 lead at the break.

While Oregon made things interesting enough to attempt an onside kick late in the fourth quarter the game was never really in reach for the final three quarters.

Oklahoma’s defense got the only turnover of the game and the young defensive front got pressure on Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown.

The offense was explosive through the air and on the ground. Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray each had runs of at least 40 yards and Marvin Mims and Jalil Farooq made big plays in the passing game.

The Oklahoma Sooners finished the 2021 season on a high note, kicking off the Brent Venables era with a lot of optimism about the future.

As we look back on the Sooners 47-32 win, let’s take a look back at five takeaways from the Alamo Bowl.

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Oklahoma kicker Gabe Brkic declares for the 2022 NFL Draft

After making 57 field goals in his OU career, Oklahoma kicker Gabe Brkic announced that he is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

After a Sooner career that saw him connect on 57 field goals, Oklahoma kicker Gabe Brkic announced that he is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

“It has been a pleasure. First off, I thank the Lord for everything. These past 4 years have been the best anyone can ask for from a fan base and a university. I would like to thank the coaching staff for giving me the opportunities I was given and believing in me. I have grown as a player and a man the past 4 years in this amazing experience. I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me in this journey whether things were up or down. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates to ride with these past 4. With that being said, I have decided to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Boomer Sooner 4Life!” Brkic announced on Twitter.

Brkic leaves Oklahoma as one of the most decorated kickers in the program’s history. The Chardon, Ohio, native was a Lou Groza Award finalist this season.

Brkic made 20-of-26 field goals in 2021, including five from 50-plus yards. Two of those 50-plus yard field goals came in the first two weeks when Brkic hit 56-yard field goals against both Tulane and Western Carolina.

Last night against Oregon, Brkic made his two field goal tries from 40 and 29 yards. Interestingly enough, Brkic actually missed the only extra point try of his OU career against the Ducks. Brkic had been perfect on his first 154 extra point tries before missing on his first attempt last night against Oregon.

Brkic made the game-winning 30-yard field goal as time expired against West Virginia to give the Sooners a 16-13 week four win over the Mountaineers.

Brkic was also a Lou Groza Award semifinalist in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2019, after going a perfect 17-of-17 on field goal tries and 52-of-52 on extra point tries, Brkic was named a a first-team All-American kicker by CBS Sports.

Brkic made 57-of-69 field goal tries and 159-of-160 extra point tries during his OU career.

Brkic joins linebacker Brian Asamoah, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto tight end Jeremiah Hall and defensive linemen Isaiah Thomas and Perrion Winfrey as Sooners that have declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Oklahoma Sooners H-Back, TE Jeremiah Hall declares for the 2022 NFL draft

After a storied career for the Oklahoma Sooners, H-Back and tight end Jeremiah Hall has declared for the 2022 NFL draft. One of the more popular Sooners player will take his talents to the next level. Thank you, Sooner Nation ❤️ #Boomer …

After a storied career for the Oklahoma Sooners, H-Back and tight end Jeremiah Hall has declared for the 2022 NFL draft. One of the more popular Sooners player will take his talents to the next level.

Hall was an integral part of the Oklahoma Sooners passing attack during his tenure as the starting H-Back. As part of a rotation with Austin Stogner and Brayden Willis, Hall had a career year with 32 receptions for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He also added six carries for 25 yards and a touchdown.

The do-it-all senior totaled 67 receptions for 757 yards and 12 touchdowns across four seasons becoming a reliable third down and red zone option for the Oklahoma Sooners offense.

In addition to his receiving prowess, Hall’s blocking has been instrumental in making the Sooners rushing attack one of the best in the country over the last four years. His technique, tenacity, and physicality helped was on display in the Oklahoma Sooners 47-32 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl.

Jeremiah Hall will be sorely missed next season. While they may get the return of Brayden Willis and have a nice group of tight ends incoming, Hall’s departure will leave a leadership void for the Sooners that will need to be filled as he begins preparations for the NFL draft and his professional future.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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3 offensive keys to the game as the Oklahoma Sooners take on the Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl

Looking to end the season on the high note, what do the Oklahoma Sooners need to do offensively to defeat the Oregon Ducks?

Well, we’ve finally made it. The final game of the season for this year’s version of the Oklahoma Sooners. While many had hoped the Sooners would be playing on New Year’s Eve in the College Football Playoffs things didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, they’ll be suiting up one last time in San Antonio to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Bob Stoops will lead the charge as the interim head coach before giving way to new head coach Brent Venables. With Riley’s exit, the Sooners also lost their play-caller. While Jeff Lebby will be the head man in charge of the offense after this game as well, Cale Gundy will take the reigns as a first-time play-caller in 23 years of coaching.

Gundy’s one-game stint as play-caller means we have no prior data or information to go off of in regards to how Gunday plans to call a game. With that said, let’s take a look at the offensive keys to the game that could help Gundy’s first stint as a play-caller be a success.

If They Block, They Score

Oklahoma wasn’t their usual high octane offense from start to finish this season. Instead it was inconsistent performance at times. The defense seemed more reliable than the Jekyll and Hyde offense the Sooners put on display.

At the root of that was the play of the offensive line. The team struggled to put together games of dominance consistently, at least to the level the great offenses produced during Riley’s tenure. For most of these starters, save Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes, they’ll likely be coming  back for 2022. If guys like Andrew Raym, Anton Harrison, and Chris Murray put together a good game to generate some positive momentum, look for the Sooners to score and score a lot.

Games like the second half against Texas, the TCU game, or the Texas Tech game are just a few examples that when the offensive line played well, the Sooners could no wrong offensively.

When you factor in the fact that Oregon will be without 17 players on defense. a bunch of those 17 players were players entered the season on their two-deep. And the biggest loss is that of Kayvon Thibodeax, who opted-out for the NFL draft. The goal of this game should be to attack his replacement and get started fast.

Up Next: Share the Sugar

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Red River Showdown among ‘craziest moments’ of the 2021 college football season

USA TODAY Sports reporter Paul Myerberg include the Red River Showdown in his ‘craziest moments’ of the 2021 college football season.

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The 2021 Red River Showdown is one that Oklahoma fans won’t soon forget. It also earned a spot in USA TODAY Sports reporter Paul Myerberg’s week-by-week list of the 2021 college football season’s “craziest moments.”

Myerberg wrote this about Oklahoma’s wild 55-48 rally against the Texas Longhorns from the Cotton Bowl on Oct. 9 in his week six recap.

No. 5 Oklahoma wins the highest-scoring game in Red River Rivalry, as backup quarterback Caleb Williams replaces a struggling Spencer Rattler and keys a 55-48 win. – Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

It looked early like Oklahoma was trending to get blown out by Texas. Longhorns quarterback Casey Thompson connected with freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 75-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

Then, after a quick three-and-out by the Sooners’ offense, Michael Turk’s punt was blocked and Texas had the football right back at the Oklahoma 2-yard line. Texas running back Bijan Robinson ran in a 2-yard touchdown and the Longhorns led 14-0 with 13:07 left in the first quarter.

OU and then-starting quarterback Spencer Rattler responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 2-yard Rattler keeper for a touchdown to cut the deficit in half 14-7.

Oklahoma’s defense forced a three-and-out of their own, but any momentum was quickly back in Texas’ hands when Rattler’s third-down pass on the ensuing series was intercepted by the Longhorns’ B.J. Foster.

Thompson tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Joshua Moore to cash in on Rattler’s interception. Then, after another OU three-and-out, Thompson and Moore combined again to burn the Sooners deep with a 48-yard touchdown strike and Texas led 28-7 with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter.

That’s when the magic started for the Sooners and for true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams. On fourth and less than a yard to go from their own 34-yard line, Williams took the snap, slipped out of a tackle at the line to gain and then raced 66 yards for an Oklahoma touchdown.

Rattler directed the next two offensive series for OU, leading a 5-play, 52-yard drive on the first possession that ended with a 40-yard Gabe Brkic field goal to bring Oklahoma within 28-17.

But, after Rattler’s fumble on the second series set up another Thompson touchdown pass for the Longhorns, Oklahoma officially turned to then-backup quarterback Caleb Williams.

Williams responded by orchestrating a 10-play, 58-yard drive that culminated with Brkic’s 35-yard field goal. Texas added a 38-yard field goal themselves from kicker Cameron Dicker as the first half came to a close and the Longhorns led 38-20 at halftime.

Williams recently joined teammates Jeremiah Hall and Brayden Willis on their podcast titled “The Podcast on the Prairie” and revisited his emotions on entering the Red River game and what he shared with his teammates at halftime.

“So, we ended up going to halftime and before I walk out, I make sure I pump the fans up. Before I’m walking out, I’m throwing my hands up, pumping them up, making sure everybody’s up, making sure they see me, see my energy and things like that. I get to the locker room and I’m pretty sure y’all can remember I say to every single person in the locker room, ‘We’re going to win this game.’

“I go around shaking hands, shaking hands, shaking hands and I tell them we’re going to go win this game, coaches included. We go back out, we get back out on the field and we’re all locked in. We go out there with a certain energy and a certain passion and we go and do the unthinkable. I get chills every time I talk about the game,” Williams said.

Those chills are because of what came next. After the teams traded field goals, Williams proceeded to throw a 14-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Marvin Mims in the third quarter that made the score 41-30, Texas.

Later, with OU trailing 41-33 midway through the fourth quarter, Williams eluded pressure, stepped up in the pocket and launched a 52-yard touchdown pass to Mims. The fact that it came on a 3rd-and-19 snap and that Mims’ left foot barely stayed within bounds on the diving grab adds to the mystique.

The Sooners then tied the game at 41 points apiece when Rattler connected with redshirt junior wide receiver Drake Stoops on the 2-point conversion try. The sequence of crazy wasn’t done just yet.

Oklahoma redshirt senior linebacker Caleb Kelly ripped the football away from Texas’ Worthy on the kickoff following Rattler’s pass and suddenly Williams and the Sooners had the football right back at Texas’ 18-yard line.

Redshirt junior running back Kennedy Brooks took a direct snap and gave Oklahoma its first lead of the day, 48-41, with his 18-yard rushing touchdown.

Thompson found Worthy for a 31-yard touchdown to tie the game once more at 48 apiece with 1:23 remaining.

Williams and Oklahoma’s offense went to work. Williams completed a nine-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jadon Haselwood before a 12-yard run from Brooks put the Sooners at their own 46-yard line.

Williams then completed back-to-back passes of 10 and 11 yards to Mims and junior tight end Austin Stogner, respectively. That set the stage for Brooks’ final heroics.

Brooks gathered in another direct snap, broke one tackle and sprinted 33 yards for the game-winning touchdown with two seconds remaining. Incredibly, Oklahoma erased a 21-point deficit and authored the largest comeback victory in Red River Rivalry history, 55-48.

Williams completed 16-of-25 passes for 212 yards in the comeback effort. Meanwhile, Brooks rumbled his way to 217 rushing yards on 25 carries against the Longhorns.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Final thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners matchup with the Oregon Ducks

As the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the Oregon Ducks, here are five final thoughts on the Alamo Bowl matchup.

The 2021 Valero Alamo Bowl provides a final opportunity for the Oklahoma Sooners to put their stamp on a 2021 season that didn’t go as expected. Despite how the season turned out, there’s a lot of optimism heading into 2022 following the return of Brent Venables.

As the Sooners head into their matchup with the Ducks, there’s an excitement for this game as well. The return of Bob Stoops has brought energy to a game that might otherwise feel like a typical bowl game.

As the Sooners close the 2021 season against the Ducks, there’s a lot to watch in this final game of the season. Oklahoma will get a great opportunity to evaluate talented players who might not have received a lot of snaps this season. The Alamo Bowl will provide a great look at what the young guys who will be important pieces for the 2022 team can provide as they step up the depth chart.

With a late kickoff tonight, here are my final thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners matchup with the Oregon Ducks.

3 Defensive players to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Valero Alamo Bowl

It’s the season finale in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Here’s three key Sooners to watch on defense against the Oregon Ducks.

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It’s officially gameday for the Valero Alamo Bowl where Oklahoma puts a wrap on its 2021 season against the Oregon Ducks at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Oklahoma’s defense will be led by inside linebackers coach Brian Odom who is off to join Lincoln Riley and coach the same position at USC in 2022. Odom will be serving as a defensive play-caller for the first time in this game against the Ducks.

Odom knows the Sooners are set to face a talented Oregon team.

“I think that Oregon is going to be a tremendous challenge for us on the defensive side of the ball. I’ve always had a lot of great respect for the offense at Oregon and how they do things and how they’ve done it in the past. I faced them multiple years when I worked in the Pac-12 Conference. Obviously a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Oregon football team, and I know a lot of those coaches personally, and they all do a great job. We’ve got our work cut out for us on game day,” Odom said.

Four defensive starters opted out of this game against Oregon: linebacker Brian Asamoah, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.

Let’s take a look at three players that will be key against the Ducks.

Senior linebacker DaShaun White

With Asamoah out of the equation, that opens the door for junior linebacker David Ugwoegbu and freshman linebacker Danny Stutsman to have larger roles. It also means that senior linebacker DaShaun White needs his best in what could be his final game with OU.

The North Richland Hills, Texas, product is third on the Sooners with 60 tackles on the season, including five tackles for loss.

As one of Oklahoma’s team leaders and a senior, White described what the last several weeks have been like with Riley leaving, interim head coach Bob Stoops stepping in and Brent Venables being named OU’s new head coach.

“I don’t know if any of the last few months having normal, but I would say for me it’s really just been about enjoying the moment, embracing all the opportunities I have with my teammates, the coaches. Just spending a lot of time with them on and off the field. It’s as simple as that to me.

“Just trying to make the best of every situation with this team, and we’ve got one last one to go after, and that’s the one we’re focused on, and honestly just can’t wait to be able to go out there and hit the field with these guys,” White said.

Up Next: Defensive Front Key to the Sooners Success

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