Tag: Kip Lewis

Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton returning for 2025

Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Gracen Halton returning for 2025 season.

The Oklahoma Sooners lost plenty of key contributors on defense from their 2024 team. That defense was the best the program had seen in years, finding good footing under head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and former defensive coordinator Zac Alley.

Players like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], Da’Jon Terry, Woodi Washington, Trace Ford, Caiden Woullard and Dez Malone ran out of eligibility.

Contributors such as Dasan McCullough, Lewis Carter, and Kani Walker left via the NCAA winter [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag].

However, the cupboard is far from bare as OU heads into 2025. That’s primarily due to some of the big names that Venables and his staff have convinced to hold off on going pro to stay in school for one more year.

[autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag], [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] and [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] all had the opportunity to go to the NFL and all made announcements that they will instead stay in Norman. Now, another key veteran piece is joining them.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] was expected to be back, but it’s now official, as he took to social media to announce that his return to the Sooners on Thursday.

Halton had a breakout season as a member of a ferocious group of defensive tackles for Oklahoma in 2024, a group that brings almost everyone back. Halton finished second on the team with five sacks and in total pressures per Pro Football Focus. He made a number of splash plays throughout the season. One of the bigger ones was the safety against Houston to preserve a home win in Week 2. Halton also had a sack and a half against South Carolina and a sack against LSU.

Prior to 2024, Halton had played fewer than 100 snaps in each of his two seasons with the Sooners. He earned a big jump in playing time seeing the field for 403 snaps on defense for OU.

Halton and the other veteran returners join Kobie McKinzie, Peyton Bowen, Eli Bowen, Samuel Omosigho, and Jayden Jackson to make up the core of Oklahoma’s defense in 2025.

Heading into 2025, the Oklahoma Sooners will once again be dynamic on defense.

What does Kendel Dolby’s return mean for the Oklahoma Sooners?

Oklahoma will be getting a versatile, veteran defender back for next year.

The Oklahoma Sooners have seen key veteran pieces announce they’re returning for one more season in 2025.

First, it was defensive tackle [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], who made his intentions clear to return. Then, safety [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings [/autotag] announced that he was coming back as well. Now, a third key veteran piece of the defense has done the same.

Last season’s starting cheetah [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag] took to social media to announce that he’s coming back to Norman for the 2025 season on Friday. Dolby started the first four games of the season and played very well before a brutal season-ending injury in the Tennessee game.

He’s been a game-wrecker for this defense, going all the way back to 2023 when he found his way into the rotation at cheetah. Depending on his timetable, he’ll play a key role for the Sooners once again in 2025. He’s a veteran and he’s incredibly versatile, possessing great coverage skills, blitzing skills and strength at the position.

Despite losing key pieces like Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman, Ethan Downs and Da’Jon Terry on the defense, there’s a chance the Sooners are once again really good on that side of the ball next season, provided [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] hires the right defensive coordinator.

The defensive tackle spot is loaded, and the Sooners still have a chance to get their best pass rusher, R Mason Thomas, back for one more year on the edge. [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Kobie McKinzie[/autotag] look in line to start at the inside linebacker spots. Dolby and Samuel Omosigho will man the cheetah position. Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen are both back at safety, and Eli Bowen will no doubt start at one cornerback spot.

As Venables continues to search for his next defensive play-caller, that hire will have one more pieces to use for his first season in 2025.

Who are Oklahoma’s captains this week against Maine?

Who are Oklahoma’s captains for this week’s game against Maine?

The Oklahoma Sooners will look to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Maine Black Bears in Norman on Saturday afternoon. Maine is an FCS team, and OU should have no trouble controlling the game.

Head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has announced Oklahoma’s game captains for this week ten clash. Wide receiver [autotag]Brenen Thompson[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Jake Roberts[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag], and linebackers [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Dasan McCullough[/autotag] will represent the Sooners at home.

Thompson has seen his usage increase in a big way this season with all of the injuries the Sooners have suffered at wide receiver. He’s had a couple of big plays, but OU will no doubt be trying to figure out ways to use his downfield speed better over the final four games of the season.

Roberts is Oklahoma’s best blocking tight end, but plays in a rotational role behind Bauer Sharp. Roberts has nine receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown this season.

Tarquin will be looking to bounce back this week, after he and the offensive line have had a rough couple of weeks. The Sooners have given up 19 sacks in two games. He’ll probably stay on the right side of the offensive line this week if Jake Taylor is unable to go again.

Terry has turned into a very good player up front on OU’s defensive line. He’s a very good run-stuffer and is playing himself into becoming an NFL draft pick come April. He’s a part of a strong defensive tackle rotation that’s allowed the Sooners to be one of the best run defenses in the nation in 2024.

Lewis has blossomed into one of the best players on Oklahoma’s defense this year. The weak side linebacker attacks downhill with speed. He’s recorded 42 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception return for a touchdown this season. He’s positioning himself to be a leader on this defense next year when veterans like Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman depart for the NFL.

McCullough returned from a foot injury after the bye week, and has been put right back into the action. He brings a physicality to the position, and his best trait is the way he plays against the run. Against Ole Miss, McCullough recorded five total tackles and a tackle for loss.

The Sooners and the Black Bears will square off at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the game will broadcast on ESPN+.

 

Pair of Oklahoma Sooners included on Pro Football Focus’ SEC Team of the Week

Two Oklahoma Sooners earned spots on Pro Football Focus’ SEC Team of the Week.

It took a team effort from the Oklahoma Sooners to leave Jordan-Hare Stadium with a win. After the Auburn Tigers took an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter, it appeared the game was beginning to slip away. Then the Sooner Magic happened.

True freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins responded with a 60-yard completion to J.J. Hester, and Jovantae Barnes punched it in for the touchdown to cut Auburn’s lead to five. After that score, it was all Oklahoma, highlighted by [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag]’ interception return for the go-ahead touchdown.

In the win, two Sooners in particular stood out to the analysts over at Pro Football Focus. Lewis and tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag] were among the highest-graded players of the week, earning a spot on PFF’s SEC Team of the Week. Lewis also earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ National Team of the Week.

The standout linebacker finished the day with five total tackles, a tackle for loss, and the huge pick-six that turned the tide for good in Oklahoma’s favor. Lewis was the highest-graded among Power Four teams in week five. He’s fourth on the team in total tackles with 21 despite just the 10th most snaps on defense.

Sharp, who’s become one of the more reliable options in the Sooners passing attack, recorded four receptions for 48 yards. His day could have been even bigger if not for an offensive pass interference call on a botched pick play in the first half.

Sharp’s had at least four catches in four of Oklahoma’s five games this season and at least 36 yards in three of the five games. Saturday against Auburn, Sharp earned his best grade yet as a run blocker from Pro Football Focus.

The Sooners have some talented players on both sides of the ball. As they wade into the second half of the season with five games against top 15 teams, Oklahoma will need that talent to continue to shine every week.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

R Mason Thomas becoming Oklahoma Sooners closer

Oklahoma has benefitted from the late-game play of R Mason Thomas in 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners nearly had the game slip away from them on Saturday against Auburn, but there wasn’t just one player who helped OU storm back to take the lead and hold off the Tigers.

Quarterback [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] shined in his first career start, providing the Sooners with enough big plays to get the win.

Linebacker [autotag]Kip Lewis[/autotag] made a play of the year candidate, intercepting a pass and returning it for 63 yards to give OU a lead it didn’t relinquish.

Safety [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] had a pivotal sack that pushed Auburn’s offense back once the Sooners took the six-point lead.

But it was defensive end [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag] who came up huge on back-to-back plays when the Sooners led by just three.

With the Tigers facing a third-and-5 at their 44-yard line with two minutes left, Thomas came around the edge and sacked Payton Thorne for a 6-yard loss. Head coach Hugh Freeze decided to roll the dice and try to pick up a fourth-and-11 and extend the drive.

Yet again, Thomas dealt a crushing blow to Auburn’s hopes. He chased Thorne all the way back to the Auburn 25, sacking the quarterback after it looked like Thorne might escape the pressure.

The two massive plays allowed OU to kick a field goal after Freeze was forced to burn his timeouts. Backup kicker [autotag]Zach Schmit[/autotag] drilled the ball through the uprights, and the Sooners held a six-point lead. The Tigers ran just five more plays, completing a Hail Mary well short of the end zone.

Thomas, who has become the best pass rusher on this team, stopped any momentum Auburn had, preventing the Tigers from getting anywhere close to field goal range. He had a similar performance a few weeks ago in OU’s win over Tulane, taking over in the late stages of that game when the Green Wave were trying to mount a comeback.

Oklahoma’s pass rush hasn’t gotten home very often this year. The Sooners have relied more on their run defense and sending extra defenders when it was time to get after the passer. Twice now, Thomas has risen to the occasion when the opponent had a chance to drive for a score at the end of the game.

The Sooners entered the season needing a “closer” to emerge from their defensive line. After five games, they may have found just that in Thomas.

Sooners Linebacker named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Oklahoma Linebacker Kip Lewis named SEC Defensive Player of the Week

[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.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

3 stars from Oklahoma’s electric comeback win on the road

It took a team effort to earn a comeback win on the road against the Auburn Tigers, but three Sooners earned this weeks 3 stars of the game.

Oklahoma showed tremendous grit on Saturday. It’s safe to say the win against Auburn will probably go down as one of the best wins of the Brent Venables era to this point.

Oklahoma looked dead in the water when Auburn extended its lead to 21-10 early in the fourth quarter. The Sooners appeared well on their way to back-to-back losses and an 0-2 start in its foray into the SEC. However, Venables’ team never stopped competing and did whatever was possible to make it a game. It eventually completed the comeback, and the Sooners returned to Norman for a much-needed bye week with their first SEC win.

As one would expect, the game had peaks and valleys. There was a long stretch in which Oklahoma’s offense looked lifeless or drives were killed by penalties. Auburn just imposed its will on a few defensive possessions by running the ball straight at Oklahoma’s strength in the front seven. Pair that with big plays allowed in the passing game, and the Sooners were ripe for defeat until several big plays in the fourth quarter turned the tide on the Tigers.

It took a team effort to pull out the win, but a few players stood out with their game-changing performances. Here are this week’s three stars from the win.

R Mason Thomas, Edge

R Mason Thomas is undoubtedly a star on the Oklahoma Sooners defense. He has filled a pass-rushing void that dates back to the departure of Nik Bonitto after the 2021 season. Brent Venables has a go-to pass rusher this team can rely upon come crunch time to end a drive or end a game.

His two sacks in the fourth were vital. Auburn was down three late in the game when it faced third-and-5 just after the two-minute timeout. There was plenty of time to mount a comeback. Oklahoma’s defense was worn out, but it was running on pure adrenaline and a will to win.

Off the snap, Thomas ducked around the left tackle and was on quarterback Payton Thorne in a hurry, recording the sack and setting up a fourth-and-11. On the next play, coming off the left side of the defense, Thomas brought the pressure to Thorne once again. The Auburn quarterback eluded the initial pressure, but Thomas hustled like crazy and circled back. With assistance from Gracen Halton, who kept Thorne in the pocket, Thomas brought the thunder for the sack and forced the turnover on downs.

Oklahoma killed some clock and kicked a field goal to extend its lead to six. But the game could have been far more stressful in the final two minutes without Thomas’ late-game heroics. For the second time in three weeks Thomas was the closer for the Sooners.

Up Next: Defender Saves the Game

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Relive Oklahoma’s incredible comeback over Auburn in fantastic photos

Relive Oklahoma’s incredible comeback win over Auburn with the best photos from the game.

The Oklahoma Sooners found a way to win on Saturday, showing toughness and resilience even though Auburn controlled the game for the majority of the afternoon.

Down 11 in the fourth quarter, Michael Hawkins Jr. showed off his arm strength and accuracy, hitting J.J. Hester for a 60-yard gain to set up Jovantae Barnes’ touchdown run. Linebacker Kip Lewis provided the go-ahead score on his interception return for a touchdown on the next possession.

It was a magical fourth quarter for the Sooners. When it needed to come up with big plays on both sides of the ball, Oklahoma showed it has players who can come through in big-time moments.

Hawkins passed his first big test with flying colors. Even when things weren’t going well for the Sooners, Hawkins and the offense continued to battle, while the defense attempted to keep the game within reach.

And all it took was one big play from Hawkins to Hester to turn the entire landscape of the game. Sooner Magic was in full effect on Saturday afternoon, and Oklahoma enters the bye week on a high note.

Here are the best photos from Oklahoma’s win over Auburn

Oklahoma Sooners complete incredible comeback, beat Auburn 27-21

Oklahoma Sooners beat Auburn Tigers 27-21 in Michael Hawkins, Jr.’s first collegiate start.

Oklahoma’s first SEC road trip provided plenty of drama on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Hawkins Jr. was making the first start of his career in the unfriendly confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium. For much of the game, the Auburn Tigers were in control, but the Sooners true freshman quarterback provided some magical moments late.

He was aided by several huge defensive plays in the fourth quarter, and the Sooners came away with a tough road win, 27-21.

Oklahoma scored on its first drive of the game when Hawkins electrified with a 48-yard touchdown run.

The Sooners defense stood tall on Auburn’s second possession when it held the Tigers on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. But the Sooners offense wasn’t able to do much.

For the rest of the first half, it was all Auburn. The Tigers hit several big plays in the passing game and were finding some room to run.

Payton Thorne hit Keandre Lambert-Smith for a 31-yard touchdown. On Auburn’s next possession, Malcolm Simmons beat the Sooners over the top for a 48-yard touchdown reception.

The Tigers had a chance for more points at the end of the half, but missed two opportunities at a field goal to extend their lead. They went into halftime up 14-7.

The Sooners offense went three and out on its first drive of the second half but the defense stood tall to get the ball back.

Hawkins and the Sooners found their way into scoring range on an 11-play drive. Jovantae Barnes provided a 16-yard run to kick-start the drive, and the Sooners overcame a couple of penalties that put them in a second-and-18. Hawkins, Jr. found J.J. Hester for a 21-yard completion on the sideline. A defensive pass interference gave Oklahoma first-and-goal at the 1-yard line, but they couldn’t punch into the end zone when Barnes was stopped for a loss on first down, and the second-down play was erased due to an illegal motion penalty.

They settled for a field goal to make it 14-10.

Auburn responded with a touchdown drive, highlighted by a big-time reception by true freshman and former five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman. The Sooners couldn’t stop Auburn on another fourth-down attempt near the goal line, and on first-and-goal at the 1, Thorne found Luke Deal for the touchdown.

On their next drive, the Sooners received a big play from Bauer Sharp to put the Sooners in the Tigers’ half of the field. But penalties and an inability to get anyone open down the field forced the Sooners to turn it over on downs.

The Sooners took advantage of another missed field goal from Auburn when Hawkins hit J.J. Hester on a 60-yard completion deep down the sideline. It was a beautiful ball that put the Sooners inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Jovantae Barnes punched it in to cut into Auburn’s lead. After a failed two-point play, the Sooners trailed 21-16.

As Auburn began its ensuing drive, it looked to take time off the clock in Sooners territory. Faced with a third-and-4, Thorne dropped back to pass and attempted to hit a slant over the middle. Kip Lewis, who’d been having a great game, dropped back into the short middle of the field, picked off Thorne’s pass, and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown.

Hawkins then came through with an acrobatic two-point conversion to put Oklahoma up 24-21.

The Tigers gained the ball back with plenty of time to get in position for a game-tying field goal or to take the lead, but R Mason Thomas came through on third and fourth down with back-to-back sacks to force a turnover on downs and give the ball back to the Sooners with less than two minutes to play.

The Sooners couldn’t pick up a first down but kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 27-21.

OU shut down the Tigers on their final drive, and a Hail Mary fell way short of the endzone, and the Sooners picked up the win.

Auburn outgained Oklahoma, 482-291, including 204-180 in the second half. But the big play from Hawkins to Hester and the Lewis interception returned for a touchdown turned the game in the fourth quarter.

Hawkins finished 10 of 15 for 161 yards and ran 14 times for 69 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Oklahoma moves to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play heading into the bye week.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Kip Lewis pick-six ignites Oklahoma rally past Auburn

Oklahoma rallied from double digits down to defeat Auburn

Oklahoma appeared headed for more trouble in its first season in the SEC. The Sooners were down double digits in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Auburn before they mounted a charge.

In the final 8:32, the Sooners scored 17 points and came away with a 27-21 victory over the Tigers at Jordan-Hare.

After a touchdown brought Oklahoma within 21-18, Kip Lewis made the play of the game.

The 6-foot-1, 221-pound sophomore linebacker picked off a Payton Thorne pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown to give Oklahoma the lead.

Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. followed with a spectacular two-point conversion to give the Sooners a 24-21 lead.