Tag: Jason White

Oklahoma is ‘QBU’ but where do they stand in ESPN’s ‘Position U’ rankings?

The Sooners have been spoiled with a ton of elite players at just about every position, here is how they stack up all-time, according to ESPN’s “Position U” rankings.

Let’s face it, Oklahoma fans have been spoiled by the quarterback place since the turn of the century. From [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag] to [autotag]Jason White[/autotag] to [autotag]Sam Bradford[/autotag] to [autotag]Landry Jones[/autotag] the Sooners have witnessed some fantastic quarterback play..

Arguably, the best of the bunch came recently with [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag], [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag], and [autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag] for a season.

It’s one of the reasons [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] has been so heavily criticized. Sure, he has his flaws, but he’s a very good quarterback who should end up top 10 in the NCAA in career passing yards. He could even pass Mayfield at No. 7 if he has a decent year.

While he’s a good college quarterback, he’s not all-time great like his predecessors. But it is all of the success that has Oklahoma holding onto the top spot as “QBU” in ESPN’s updated position U rankings (ESPN+)

Dillon Gabriel was a solid addition to Oklahoma’s QB legacy, which includes Heisman Trophy winners Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, along with runner-up Jalen Hurts, but it’s hard not to consider the one who got away. When Lincoln Riley left for USC, he took Caleb Williams with him, and the Trojans’ new star won the Heisman last season. That cut Oklahoma’s lead at QBU in half from 2022, setting up a potentially huge swing next year, should Williams go No. 1 overall in the NFL draft, as many pundits expect. – David Hale ESPN

That last line however is key. The USC Trojans are No. 2 on the list. They have a guy who could win a second Heisman or, at the very least, go first in next year’s draft.

 

Video: Fighter disqualified for cup repeatedly falling out of boxer shorts in bizarre scene

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in MMA…

Just when you think you’ve seen it all in MMA, a detached protective cup determined the result of a fight.

Fans who watched Flex Fights: Tiki Takedown 25 in Patchogue, N.Y. were treated to that exact unusualness Saturday during an amateur flyweight bout between [autotag]Tommy Cox[/autotag] and [autotag]Jason White[/autotag].

According to the broadcast’s announcers, James Leonelli and Charlie Quinn, from the time of the fighters’ pre-fight checks, it was evident something was wrong with White’s cup.

“I want to point out how much Jason, the fighter in white, was fiddling with his cup,” one announcer said before the fight started. That’s a distraction. It’s not in there properly. Again, fighters: Invest the money. They’re not expensive.”

The first cup drop took place at the two-second-mark of the first round, as the piece of protective plastic equipment fell to the canvas. White hopped up, out of frustration. The overseeing ISKA official retrieved the cup and handed it back to White, who inserted it back down the trunks, only to have fall out seconds after the action resumed.

According to the Unified Rules of MMA, “a Male mixed martial artists shall also wear the appropriate groin protection.” While New York’s amateur bylaws may have its own unique language, after the cup dropped to the canvas a second time, the official disqualified White. Cox was declared the winner without having even thrown a strike or attempting a takedown.

Visibly disappointed, White crumpled to the canvas, as Cox shrugged his shoulders.

Check out the unusual sequence in a video clip posted below (per Harry Mac).

Six Oklahoma Sooners included in ESPN’s top 75 QB’s of the 2000’s

Six Oklahoma Sooners were included among ESPN’s top 75 quarterbacks since 2000.

Oklahoma’s history of quarterback play is well known at the college football level. Oklahoma and Notre Dame are the only schools with four Heisman trophy winners at the QB position.

The end of the century saw football as we know it change from a run-first style to a game that emphasized balance and explosive plays generated by the passing game. The late Mike Leach brought the air raid to Oklahoma, and it has permeated throughout college football.

Oklahoma’s offensive identity since the turn of the century has been dynamic and explosive. At the core was innovative play calling and extraordinary quarterback play. It should be no surprise that six Oklahoma quarterbacks are ranked in ESPN’s top 75 quarterbacks of the 2000s rankings (ESPN+).

Kyler Murray to be honored in Heisman Park at Oklahoma Sooners’ Spring Game

Athletic Director Joe Castiglione revealed to 94.7 The REF in Norman that Kyler Murray will get his Heisman statue unveiled at the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game.

[autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] will be getting his statue added to Oklahoma’s Heisman Park this April at the OU Football Spring Game, Athletic director Joe Castiglione told The REF on Thursday.

Castiglione confirmed the news while on the “T-Row in the Morning Show” with the voice of the Sooners, Toby Rowland. Murray’s likeness being added to Heisman Park will, for now at least, complete the collection of OU’s Heisman Trophy winners outside of [autotag]Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial[/autotag] Stadium.

Last year’s “Pack the Palace” campaign for the 2022 spring game, which involved the unveiling of Baker Mayfield’s statue, was a huge success. Giving Murray his statue a year later as Brent Venables tries to build momentum for his program is a no-brainer.

The 2022 spring game was a good get-right moment for both the football program and its fans. Both of which were still feeling the effect of Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC. That game was the first time a lot of OU fans became reacquainted with Venables since his return to Norman.

Mayfield was on the verge of being traded during his statue unveiling, and Kyler Murray will still be recovering from an ACL tear sustained last December while playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

A former two-sport star at Oklahoma, Murray attended last year’s spring game in an OU Baseball jersey. Murray will be immortalized alongside past Heisman winners Mayfield, [autotag]Sam Bradford[/autotag], [autotag]Jason White[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Sims[/autotag], [autotag]Steve Owens[/autotag], and [autotag]Billy Vessels[/autotag].

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Meet Heisman winner Jason White on Saturday before Bedlam

Former Heisman winner Jason White will be in Norman doing a meet and greet with former Cowboys quarterback Josh Fields on Saturday. Presented by Phillips 66.

Only one other school has as many Heisman trophy winners as the University of Oklahoma since the turn of the century.

Jason White’s 2003 Heisman season set the stage for the Sooners to become synonymous with high-level quarterback play and Heisman contention. Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray followed in White’s footsteps as winners of the award and have helped Oklahoma stake its claim as “QBU.”

During his Heisman-winning season, Jason White threw for 3,846 yards and 40 touchdowns in his first full season starting for the Sooners. He followed that 2003 performance with another strong season in 2004, throwing for 3,205 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Jason White will be in Norman on Saturday for a meet and greet as part of a series of events presented by Phillips 66.

As the Oklahoma Sooners prepare for this year’s Bedlam matchup with Oklahoma State in Norman on Saturday, Phillips 66 is sponsoring several pre-game activities in the build-up to Saturday night’s pivotal in-state showdown.

The Details from Phillips 66

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – college football season! To celebrate the latest game in the Bedlam Series, Phillips 66® is sponsoring an array of pre-game activities to help students and fans get their heads in the game.

Bedlam Series Beats & Bites concert: Friday, Nov. 18

Kicking off game day weekend, country music acts Wade Bowen and The Eli Young Band will perform at the Bedlam Series Beats & Bites concert, presented by Phillips 66®. The concert will take place Friday, Nov. 18 at Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma. Whether you are rooting for OSU or OU, all football and country music fans are welcome. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at https://www.riverwind.com/entertainment/events/ or at the door starting at 5:30 p.m.

Pre-Game Meet-and-Greets with Jason White and Josh Fields

To keep the game day spirit alive, Phillips 66 will also be at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for the Nov. 19 Phillips 66 Bedlam Series game, offering meet-and-greets with former University of Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jason White and former Oklahoma State University quarterback Josh Fields.

Bedlam Series attendees are invited to stop by to receive autographed posters and pose for photos with White and Fields at Heisman Park on the east side of the stadium, starting three hours before kickoff. Fans who come by the booth will also have a chance to receive free vouchers to fuel up at their local Phillips 66® station after the game.

The fun continues during the game where all attendees are eligible to participate in a trivia contest and one lucky winner will receive a year’s supply of gas*, which will be awarded after the third quarter.

*Subject to terms and conditions. Total prize value is $3,900.

About Phillips 66 Gas

Phillips 66 manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The diversified energy company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. Using a network of branded marketers and dealers operating approximately 7,000 outlets, its U.S. Marketing business supplies TOP TIER® Detergent Gasolines under the Phillips 66®, 76® and Conoco® brands. For more information, visit www.phillips66gas.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn or Twitter. 

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A look back at Oklahoma vs. Kansas State in stunning still images

Take a walk down memory lane of some of the best still images of Oklahoma’s history with the Kansas State Wildcats.

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Kansas State Wildcats will be meeting for the 103rd time this Saturday night in Norman. It’s a series that dates back to 1908, when the Sooners won 33-4. While Oklahoma carries a 77-21-4 record into the border rivalry, Kansas State has been known to be a thorn in the side of the Sooners at times in the last two decades.

From 1937 to 1992, the Wildcats beat the Sooners just two twice. Since then, they’ve had much more success going 10-14 since 1993. Much of that success came in the dark days of the mid-’90s.

Since 2000, Kansas State has only beaten the Sooners five times. The biggest win came in the 2003 Big 12 Championship game. Oklahoma was the No. 1 team in the country and undefeated before the Wildcats pulled off the improbable upset, holding the Sooners’ vaunted offensive attack to just seven points.

The Wildcats certainly know how to spoil a good time. Like in 2003, Kansas State would hand the Sooners their first loss of the season in each of 2012, 2019, and 2020 seasons. Oklahoma’s 3-0 heading into the matchup, can Kansas State pull off the unthinkable yet again?

At 3-0 on the season, the Sooners are playing some good football. There’s room to improve, and Kansas State provides a stiff test for Oklahoma.

As the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas State Wildcats get set to kick off Big 12 play, let’s take a look back at some of the best moments in stunning still images.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel named to Davey O’Brien, Maxwell Award watch lists

In anticipation of what many expect to be a productive season for the Oklahoma quarterback, Dillon Gabriel was named to Davey O’Brien and Maxwell award watch lists.

Oklahoma is looking to get back on top of the Big 12 and back to the College Football Playoff and the man charged with leading the offense is Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel, who transferred to OU after a productive career at UCF has been named to a couple of preseason watch lists for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards.

Originally given to the best player in the southwest, in 1981, the award began to focus on the quarterback position. No school has won the award more than the Oklahoma Sooners, and Jason White is one of four players to win the award multiple times. Other winners of the award include Billy Sims (Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy), Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield, and Kyler Murray.

The last two awards went to the SEC with Alabama quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bryce Young taking home the award for the nation’s best quarterback.

The Maxwell Award, given to the best all-around player in college football, has been around since 1937, and three Oklahoma Sooners have won the award; Tommy McDonald, Jason White, and Baker Mayfield.

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Oklahoma Sooners reveal Baker Mayfield statue ahead of Saturday’s Ceremony

Ahead of Saturday’s spring game, the Oklahoma Sooners unveiled Baker Mayfield’s Heisman statue.

Last night in Norman, Heisman Trophy winners and College Football Hall of Famers gathered together to welcome in the Spring Game and unveil the latest statuesque addition to Heisman Park. Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield was joined by fellow Heisman winning quarterbacks of the Oklahoma Sooners Jason White, Sam Bradford, and Kyler Murray.

There will be another ceremony to honor the living legend at halftime of Saturday’s Spring Game. The statue will be shown on the big screen inside the stadium. Mayfield’s statue is the sixth of the seven Heisman Trophy winners to be added to Heisman Park.

Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy after an incredible 2017 season that saw the Oklahoma Sooners beat Ohio State in Columbus in the famous “flag plant” game. Mayfield set a new standard in college football for passing efficiency that season with a 198.9 passer rating. Kyler Murray would break that record in 2018 on his way to the Heisman and the record would be broken yet again in 2019 by LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

In 2017, Mayfield completed 70.6% of his passes and threw for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns. He also ran for six touchdowns that season as Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff.

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Sooners of the past descending on Norman for Oklahoma’s 2022 Spring Game

Oklahoma’s Spring Game will welcome in the Brent Venables era, but also welcome back a number of past Oklahoma Sooners’ greats.

The 2022 Oklahoma Spring game will represent the first time fans will get an opportunity to see [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ Sooners take the field. And as the current roster puts in the final touches on spring ball before breaking till fall camp, Oklahoma will also welcome in a bevy of recruits they hope to convince to be future Sooners.

Helping the football program sell the University of Oklahoma will be Sooners greats of the past. In a strong social media campaign, dozens of former players let it be known on Twitter that they’ll be in Norman for the Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game.

It’s a who’s who of the past, including the man who will be immortalized in Heisman Park on Saturday, [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag].

Mayfield was in Norman on Friday, spending time with the team and at the facility before the unveiling of his Heisman statue during tomorrow’s festivities.

From [autotag]Jason White[/autotag] to Baker Mayfield and [autotag]Dusty Dvoracek[/autotag] to [autotag]Neville Gallimore[/autotag], here are some of the Oklahoma greats that will be in attendance as Brent Venables’ team takes the field in front of Sooner Nation for the first time.

How each Oklahoma Sooners quarterback fared in the season opener since 2000

With a new starting quarterback at the helm for the Oklahoma Sooners, let’s look back at how each starting signal-caller has fared in the season opener since 2000.

When Dillon Gabriel takes his first snap under center for the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 3, he’ll be the fifth season-opening starting quarterback for the Sooners in six seasons.

Spencer Rattler opened the season as the starter each of the last two years. Before that the Sooners had a single season out of Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray after Baker Mayfield’s three-year run of dominance.

This year, it’s Dillon Gabriel’s turn to lead the Oklahoma Sooners. By all accounts his debut for the Sooners in September will go swimmingly, but not all season openers have been hot starts.

Let’s take a look at how each starting quarterback fared in their season opener since the year 2000.