Tag: Jadon Haselwood

‘Glue guys’ seal the deal for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Texas Longhorns

The Oklahoma Sooners got incredible contributions from their star players, but they don’t win without contributions from their “glue guys.”

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Every team has them. They’re the guys that championship teams can’t live without. They aren’t always your best players, but they’re the players that show up in the big moments and make the big plays. Or they’re the guys that quietly go about their business and simply do their job in a big moment.

They’re called “glue guys.” They’re the guys on the roster that hold the team together.

Late in the fourth quarter of the Sooners thrilling comeback win over the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma’s glue guys came through in big ways.

Af Oklahoma scored to make it 41-39, Spencer Rattler found Drake Stoops at the front of the end zone to complete the two-point conversion attempt and tie the score for the first time since it was 0-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oklahoma’s leader, the elder statesman, Caleb Kelly came up with arguably the play of the game. As Xavier Worthy, who’d been killing the Sooners all day, was fighting through tacklers to gain extra yards, Kelly smartly went after the football and ripped it away from the dynamic freshman receiver. Nobody knew what happened, but Kelly had the ball and immediately went over to the Sooners’ fanbase to celebrate the turnover. After replay review confirmed it, OU was set up with fantastic field position with a chance to take the lead.

On Oklahoma’s ensuing drive, Kennedy Brooks was able to take the direct snap and work his way through the Texas defense to give the Oklahoma Sooners their first lead of the game. How was he able to do it? Behind fantastic blocking from his offensive line and glue guys Brayden Willis, Drake Stoops, and Jadon Haselwood.

The Sooners were able to win the game on the exact same play, run the same direction, with the same guys out front leading Kennedy Brooks to the end zone for the 55-48 lead.

The Sooners star players showed up in Saturday’s win, but that game isn’t won without the contributions of other guys on the roster making big-time plays for the Oklahoma Sooners.

While it’s the Caleb Williams’ or Marvin Mims’ of the world that will get all of the attention, the work that guys like Jadon Haselwood, Drake Stoops, Brayden Willis and Caleb Kelly put in shouldn’t go unnoticed. They were fantastic on Saturday and will continue to feature prominently in the Oklahoma Sooners’ success.

Game Balls from the Sooners 55-48 win over the Texas Longhorns

Who earned a game ball in the Oklahoma Sooners 55-48 win over the Texas Longhorns?

After a few days to decompress and catch a breather from one of the all-time great Red River Showdowns, we can now sit back, enjoy the outcome, and heap on the praise for those that are very deserving. You don’t win games like that without help from a myriad of places. It was truly the effort of the entire Oklahoma community. With that being said, let’s hand out some game balls to all the deserving folks who had a  hand in this win.

 

7 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners thrilling win over the Texas Longhorns

7 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners incredible come from behind win over the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown.

That was one thrilling ride. Much like the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas, this game had so many ups and downs, twists and turns, that it left your body tense and your head aching from the ride.

The Oklahoma Sooners came back from a 38-17 first-half deficit to outscore the Texas Longhorns 38-10 in the second half to complete the improbable comeback. This game will go down as one of the best in the history of the rivalry.

As we continue to go over some of the great moments from the Sooners 55-48 win over the Texas Longhorns, here are 7 takeaways from Oklahoma’s win in the Red River Showdown that will live on as an instant classic.

Why OU-Texas could be the big game this Sooner has been waiting for

After a quiet start to 2021, could this Sooner have a big day against Texas?

With five weeks in the books on the 2021 college football season, the Oklahoma Sooners have had a mixture of playmakers lead the way for the offense.

Mario Williams, Jadon Haselwood, Marvin Mims, and Michael Woods have each had a standout performance and led the team in receiving in a game this year. Of those four, Mims is the only one that has done it twice.

In the backfield, Kennedy Brookes and Eric Gray have led the team in run production. But Brookes, who has 100 more touches, appears to be the preferred choice in traditional rushing situations.

But a position group without a defining game until week 5 was H-Back. Against the Wildcats, Jeremiah Hall was a catalyst for the Sooners’ offense, barreling in a touchdown on the ground while also scoring through the air to showcase the offensive versatility Lincoln Riley wants from that position.

Hall’s success against K. State leads me to believe the Sooners may make another concentrated effort to get their H-Backs involved early in the game against Texas. For this reason, I expect Austin Stogner to have his best game of the season.

Stogner led Oklahoma against Texas last season with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. If Spencer Rattler is a little anxious on his first few drives this afternoon, he could look for Stogner to once again deliver in an electric environment. While the Cotton Bowl is technically a neutral site, the Texas fans in attendance are sure to create an aura of hostility over the game. At 6-6, Stogner has the large catch radius needed to haul in errant passes. That could come in handy if Rattler has a few throws get away from him due to the pass rush or early game jitters.

But Stogner’s role within this offense should be more significant than serving as a safety blanket. Before his injury in 2020, Stogner ranked third on the team in catches and receiving yards. In 2021, the junior has just seven catches for 74 yards and one touchdown.

The bottom line is that Stogner is bigger than anyone Texas can assign to cover him and can again lead this team in the Red River Showdown.

Oklahoma’s wide receiver corp “takes pride” in laying themselves down for one another

Speaking to the media Tuesday, Drake Stoops shared that Oklahoma’s Wide Receivers take pride in laying themselves down on the line for one another.

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Every wide receiver wants the ball in their hands. That’s the element of the game that shows up on the stat sheet, and it’s what everyone sees on Sportcenter. The catches or the big runs are the plays that make everyone go wow. At the same time, catching the ball is just one element of a wide receiver’s game. Though receiving ability may be the part that gets all the accolades, it’s blocking that will endear a player to a coach and the fans looking for it.

It’s the little things or the dirty work that often goes unnoticed but can stand out in a big way when watching a play develop. Generally, there’s a wide receiver somewhere on the field blocking to make a play happen on any significant play.

Like this work of art from wide receiver Jadon Haselwood against Kansas State.

On Tuesday, Drake Stoops was asked about blocking and the Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver group when speaking with the media. Here’s what he had to say.

I think our whole receiving corp takes pride in our blocking because if we can pick up our blocks then we can spring someone else. And then we hope in turn that that person will spring the block for us so we can spring the big run. So we all just trust each other, we’ve got each other’s backs and we know that we’re going to lay ourselves down on the line for the other one. – Stoops

Blocking takes sacrifice. It’s the ultimate act of service on a football field. Because it says, “I’m going to do whatever it takes to help my teammate.” It’s the embodiment of the “we,” not “me” mentality. And the Oklahoma Sooners do it at a very high level.

Of the top 10 run blockers for the Oklahoma Sooners who have played at least three games, four of them are wide receivers per Pro Football Focus. Mario Williams, Jadon Haselwood, Drake Stoops, and Trevon West lead the Sooners wide receivers as blockers, with Michael Woods just outside the top 10 per PFF.

Because Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma Sooners offense want to run the ball as much as they do, the wide receivers must take their job in the run game seriously. The Sooners love to run outside, and a wide receiver winning their blocking matchup makes that much easier. If the cornerback isn’t allowed to pinch down to set the edge and force the runner back inside to where the defensive pursuit is coming from.

The Oklahoma Sooners wide receivers are a tight group. They aren’t worried about individual accolades. They’re concerned about getting wins. When your leading receiver Marvin Mims speaks to the media and says, “I’ll do anything for this team I can to help us win.” He said that during a three-game stretch where he had five receptions, matching his week one total.

When one of your best players speaks with humility, it speaks volumes to the rest of the team.

We’ve talked a lot about the talent of the Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver corp. It’s the deepest position group on the team. That was true before the season started and has held through the first five weeks of the season. They’re proving it week in and week out. Not only are they proving it on the stat sheet, but also in their willingness and ability to block for the team.

12 Sooners who Stood Out in Oklahoma’s win over Kansas State

In their win over Kansas State, the Oklahoma Sooners got contributions from a variety of sources. Here are 12 Sooners who stood out.

Football is the ultimate team game. It takes 11 guys on both sides of the ball and a variety of role players to put a team in a position to win the game. Though it’s a quarterback’s game, it takes a team to win football games.

And that’s what the Sooners got on Saturday in their 37-31 win over Kansas State. It wasn’t a perfect team win, but the defense held the Wildcats to 24 points (that kickoff return for a touchdown isn’t on the defense) despite Skylar Thompson and Deuce Vaughn having monster games.

The defense also got the offense a short field and looked to be on the verge of scoring until a botched snap and penalty forced them to kick a field goal after having second and goal at the one.

In the first half, it looked as if the Kansas State defense was going to be as stingy as West Virginia’s. However, Spencer Rattler and company continued their efficiency and at the end of the game they had scored on of their eight possessions (not counting the kneel-downs at the end).

It wasn’t a win that moved the needle in the eyes of the voters, who allowed the Sooners to drop back a spot in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and let a team jump them in the AP Top 25.

Despite how the Sooners are viewed nationally, they’re 5-0 and coming off arguably their best win of the season. Here are 12 players who made significant contributions to the win.

3 Stars of the game: Sooners shine on both sides of the ball vs. Kansas State

The Oklahoma Sooners had several players who stood out in their 37-31 win over Kansas State, but who earned our 3 stars of the game?

The Oklahoma Sooners just keep winning games. It may not always be pretty, but here they are six days away from a date with their Red River rivals undefeated. College Football Playoff rankings will be making their appearance soon, and the Sooners are starting to build a strong case.

To stay undefeated, three guys elevated themselves to help the Sooners get over a foe that’s been quite a hassle the last few years. Let’s look at who stood out and earned one of our 3 stars from the 37-31 win over Kansas State.

Third Star – Isaiah Thomas, Defensive Line

Isaiah Thomas has proven that he is indispensable to this defense’s growth and evolution for two years in a row. He’s so versatile and can play inside and out.

Whether it was setting the edge or penetrating gaps and allowing his linebackers and safeties free to fill, he did it all against Kansas State. The absence of their other uber versatile defensive lineman Jalen Redmond has only highlighted how awesome Thomas is.

He finished with two tackles for loss and this sack of Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson in the red zone to force a Wildcats field goal.

Up Next: Second and First Stars of the Game

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Oklahoma Sooners pick up big win over Kansas State 37-31

In one of their most complete performances of the season, the Oklahoma Sooners beat Kansas State 37-31 to move to 5-0 on the season.

As crazy as it may sound, this was the best Oklahoma Sooners win of the season. They went to Manhattan, Kansas for their first road game of the season and took care of business against a tough Kansas State team, 37-31.

The game wasn’t necessarily as close as the score indicated.

The Wildcats got the ball to start the game and methodically worked the down the field with some timely completions by super senior quarterback Skylar Thompson, who played despite a week-long game of smoke and mirrors from head coach Chris Klieman about the quarterback’s availability.

Kansas State made its way into the red zone before a forced fumble by defensive end Reggie Grimes and subsequent 60 yard return by Nik Bonitto set the Sooners up nicely.

After making it inside the 10, penalties, a botched snap, and poor blocking would result in the Sooners settling for three points off of a field goal from Gabe Brkic.

The Wildcats would answer on a touchdown pass from Thompson to star running back Deuce Vaughn.

The Sooners would respond with a 12 play 75-yard touchdown drive of their own capped off by a very creative run play involving Jeremiah Hall.

The Sooners and Wildcats swapped field goals before halftime. Oklahoma went into the locker room with a 13-10 lead.

Neither team punted until the 3rd quarter. Kansas State kept opting to go for it and the Sooners defense couldn’t get off the field. Conversely, Kansas State simply could not stop Oklahoma as every drive ended in points.

Things would get weird in the third quarter thanks in part to two different reviews.

Trailing 27-10, Kansas State attempted and recovered an onside kick, and referee Kevin Hassell went to confirm the ball traveled 10 yards. It did, but Lincoln Riley smartly and probably due to information he was receiving via his headset challenged the play again.

Riley argued that kicker Ty Zentner had accidentally kicked the ball twice (which he had). The illegal touching gave Oklahoma the ball. They would do nothing with it and instead turned it over on third and long on a Spencer Rattler interception putting Kansas State deep in their own territory. The pick amounted to nothing more than a punt as Rattler threw it up there hoping to make a play or catch a defensive pass interference call.

Another review came on a 4th down completion from Thompson to receiver Landry Weber. A superb attempt to catch it was ruled incomplete as the ball hit the ground as he attempted to secure it.

A slick Jeremiah Hall TD reception on a shovel pass from Rattler put the Sooners in front 34-17.

The Wildcats would eat up a lot of clock while scoring to make it 34-24.

The Sooners responded with another field goal from Brkic, which was followed by a kick return for a touchdown from Malik Knowles. Knowles now has three return touchdowns this year. Kansas State had one last attempt to get an offside and the attempt was unsuccessful as wide receiver Jadon Haselwood calmly caught the kick and took a knee.

Spencer Rattler threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, running back Kennedy Brooks was the lead back of the day posting 91 yards and a touchdown while Jeremiah Hall scored twice and Marvin Mims re-emerged with four catches for 71 yards.

Oklahoma can now return to Norman and prepare themselves for the Red River Shootout with the 4-1 Texas Longhorns. Kansas State will have a bye before playing Iowa State on October 16th.

Missing Marvelous Marvin Mims: Where has the playmaker gone?

After a sizzling start to the season in week 1 against Tulane, Marvin Mims hasn’t had the opportunities, nor has he been as productive since.

The Sooners have a multitude of problems. Many have been well documented from the quarterback play, offensive line, lack of a running game, lack of vertical passing game, or just lack of explosive plays in general. The vertical passing game has taken a major backseat and in the process so has receiver Marvin Mims. Mims was a big-play machine in 2020 as he announced himself to college football as a true freshman.

Where has that Marvin Mims gone?

His freshman campaign saw him post team-highs of 37 receptions, 610 receiving yards, and nine touchdown receptions. To sum that up, it was the best freshman season for a wide receiver in Oklahoma history.  He started the year off strong with a five-catch performance against Tulane. He totaled 117 yards with 60 coming on massive catch and run. He’s had no more than two catches in any game since.

It’s quite obvious that the offense’s issues as a whole have trickled down to individual skill players who have showcased their abilities before. Mims and running back Kennedy Brooks come to mind. However, Mims alongside Michael Woods, are truly the most proven offensive commodities this team has. Mims has been in this offense for two years now so he has the leg up on Woods in that regard.

The Sooners have repeatedly said they are on the cusp of breaking thru. Head coach Lincoln Riley has reiterated it time and time again. Will that breakthrough include getting Mims, the verified electric playmaker the ball more?

With a major trip to Manhattan to take on the Kansas State Wildcats, who have had their number recently, Oklahoma is searching for answers. Getting the ball in the hands of a guy as electric as Mims could be a way to jump-start the offense. Screens, quick passes, moving Mims inside and outside are just a few things they can do to free him up and immediately get the ball in his hands and let him do the rest.

There was little hoopla about his move to the inside to accommodate Jadon Haselwood and Michael Woods manning the outside receiver slots but it’s hard not to wonder if Mims’ lack of production isn’t attributed at least in part due to the move. He flourished outside last season but the offensive line also gave Rattler more time to throw. Oklahoma also didn’t see nearly as much Cover 4 as they do now.

Nonetheless, he’s a dynamic playmaker who needs the ball in his hands. In an attempt to jumpstart the engine to this sports car of an offense, it may be time for the one player who has shown the ability to produce electricity to be force-fed the ball.

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Best Grades from Pro Football Focus in OU’s win over WVU

Taking a look at the best grades from Pro Football Focus for the Oklahoma Sooners in their win over West Virginia.

The Oklahoma Sooners have started to find a way to win defensive battles in 2021. It’s a far cry from what the Sooners looked like just a couple of years ago when they had to score 40-50 points per game to win. The defense in those early years of Lincoln Riley’s tenure as offensive coordinator and then head coach were some of the worst years of defense this program’s ever seen.

The script has flipped for the 2021 Oklahoma Sooners. The offense has been inconsistent. They haven’t been able to run the ball as effectively as they’d like and the Sooners defense is carrying the day.

For the second straight week the Sooners were unable to reach 30 points while the defense held their opponent to fewer than 16 points. While we’d certainly like to see more points scored, the Sooners are going to win a lot of games if they can continue to keep their opponent to fewer than 20 points a game.

There will be challenges in the coming weeks with Kansas State, Texas, and TCU on the docket, but the Sooners defense looks more up to the challenge than at any other point in the last five years.

Let’s take another look at Saturday’s win over West Virginia through the lens of Pro Football Focus (Subscription required) and take a look at which Sooners graded in the top five of various categories.