Oklahoma Sooners stunned by Navy in Armed Forces Bowl

Oklahoma Sooners lose to Navy in Armed Forces Bowl after two-point conversion attempt falls short.

The Oklahoma Sooners jumped to a 14-0 lead on Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, but the Midshipmen rallied over the final three quarters to upset the Sooners, 21-20.

Oklahoma led 14-7 at halftime, but Navy scored 14 second-half points, including the go-ahead touchdown with 4:34 to play. Even though OU had to punt the ball back to Navy, the Sooners got the ball back with 1:38 remaining.

[autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag], who had played well for much of the day, orchestrated a 13-play drive and hit Jake Roberts for a 10-yard touchdown to bring the Oklahoma Sooners within one.

Brent Venables took an aggressive approach. He went for the two-point conversion to try to win the game in regulation. However, the Sooners couldn’t get a receiver open for Hawkins to throw to, and he was sacked on.

Navy recovered the onside kick to close the game. Oklahoma finished 6-7 for the second time in three seasons under Venables.

Making his first start since the beginning of October, Hawkins led OU on scoring drives of 65 and 85 yards to take the 14-0 lead. Running back Gavin Sawchuk had his most productive day of the season with 13 carries for 67 yards and the game’s first touchdown. Hawkins hit Zion Kearney on a scramble drill for a 56-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead.

In the first quarter, the Sooners had the answer for what Navy was trying to do offensively. As the game wore on, the Midshipmen found some soft spots in the Sooners’ run defense. Quarterback Blake Horvath found a seam up the middle and raced away from the OU defense for a 95-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the third quarter.

Horvath gave Navy the lead with a 6-yard score with just under five minutes remaining.

Despite the loss, Hawkins showed substantial promise. He threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 65% of his passes and ran for 61 yards. The true freshman had a long touchdown run called back due to a holding call and suffered a number of drops on the day.

Though he had been one of the bright spots of the final quarter of the season, [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] wasn’t a huge factor in the offensive game plan. He carried the ball six times for 21 yards and had two receptions for 24 yards.

True freshman [autotag]Ivan Carreon[/autotag] was a bright spot, catching a team-high seven passes for 72 yards and regularly moving the chains for the Oklahoma Sooners offense.

Defensively, the Sooners allowed Navy to rack up 226 yards rushing on 5.7 yards per carry. On multiple occasions, Oklahoma was out of position, and the secondary was caught with its eyes in the backfield as Navy receivers ran behind them wide open, leading to critical first downs.

It was a disappointing finish to a disappointing season for the Oklahoma Sooners who go into 2025 with much to prove. Venables, in particular, will be under fire.

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.

Keys to an Oklahoma Sooners win over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl

What do the Oklahoma Sooners have to do to pull off a victory over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl?

The Oklahoma Sooners face a unique challenge when they take on Navy (9-3). The Midshipmen’s latest win came against the 19th-ranked Army Black Knights, the AAC champion.

The Sooners (6-6) will be without key leaders from the 2024 season. Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman aren’t playing, opening the door for emerging stars to get more significant playing time.

Michael Hawkins Jr. will make his first start since Oct. 19 against South Carolina. He played against Maine and was 3 of 5 for 60 yards and ran three times for 30 yards in the win. He’ll throw to a young wide receiver group featuring Jacob Jordan, Zion Kearney, Zion Ragins and Ivan Carreon. How well they’re able to separate in this game could play a factor in Oklahoma’s success.

What does OU need to do to secure victory against Navy? Here are three keys to the game.

1. Control the Line of Scrimmage

The Navy Midshipmen have one of the best run games in the country. Heading into the Armed Forces Bowl, Navy ranks No. 6 in the nation in rushing yards per game. They will run the ball and run it a lot. They average 46 rushing attempts per game this season.

The Sooners’ defensive line has been a strength of the team. The unit was a force all season, slowing some of the best rushing attacks in the country. Though the linebacker crew will be without Danny Stutsman, the defensive front will be intact, making life far easier for the second- and third-level defenders.

The defensive tackle group of Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry, Jayden Jackson, Gracen Halton, David Stone and Markus Strong provide the stiffest test Navy has seen all season.

Oklahoma’s run game has been the best part of its offense over the last month. Jovante Barnes was running well before he was injured. Then Xavier Robinson hit his stride over the final few games, including a 100-yard, two-touchdown day against Alabama.

The Sooners will lean on the run game to take the pressure off a passing game that has been inconsistent in 2024.

Navy’s allowing 155 rushing yards per game and just over four yards per carry. The Sooners should be able to find success on the ground behind an improving offensive line.

2. Maintain Eye Discipline

The Navy triple option in and of itself will create a great deal of eye candy in the backfield to confuse the Sooners’ defense. Oklahoma has been really good against the run this season, ranking 11th nationally in rushing yards allowed. But they haven’t faced a run game like the Midshipmen bring to the table.

If the Sooners play assignment-sound football, they should be able to slow Navy’s run game. Kobie McKinzie will take over for Danny Stutsman at middle linebacker and he’ll be put to the test directing the Sooners defense.

3. Get in a Rhythm

Michael Hawkins Jr. is making his first appearance since the South Carolina game. The Sooners had a difficult time handling the Gamecocks pass rush, one of the best in the nation. Against Navy, OU’s offensive line should have more success protecting Hawkins. That should allow him an opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket and show off the arm talent that has new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle excited about the Sooners quarterback.

As much as OU will want to lean on the run game, the Sooners need to allow Hawkins the experience of throwing the football. The situation isn’t ideal with a young wide receiver group, but they were highly regarded four-star prospects coming out of high school and have an opportunity to head into the offseason on a high note with a good game.

Joe Jon Finley put together a strong game plan to help the Sooners beat Alabama. It would go a long way to his future offensive coordinator prospects if he can help his young quarterback find success and get his quarterback in a rhythm throwing the football.

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.

Oklahoma Sooners add another transfer portal quarterback

The Oklahoma Sooners added another transfer portal quarterback.

The Oklahoma Sooners made a splash via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] when they added former Washington State quarterback [autotag]John Mateer[/autotag], the top player in this year’s portal class.

But the Sooners weren’t done at quarterback. They added Western Carolina signal caller Cole Gonzales on Christmas Day.

Gonzales started 22 games in three seasons with the Catamounts, completing 63.5% of his passes for 6,445 yards, 49 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. On non-sack rushing attempts, Gonzales averaged 5.4 yards per carry and ran for 701 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2023, he was the 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection. Last year, he completed 66.1% of his throws for 2,547 yards, 26 touchdowns and threw just six interceptions in 11 games. That year, Gonzales threw for five touchdown passes three times and produced six games with more than 250 yards passing.

He completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,545 yards and 12 touchdowns and threw seven interceptions this season. Gonzales was really efficient in the deep passing game, with a 45.5% completion percentage on throws greater than 20 yards down the field. That was good for sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision among quarterbacks with at least 44 pass attempts on deep throws.

In the 2024 season opener against N.C. State, Gonzales threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns, completing 62.9% of his passes. He also carried the ball six times for 78 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, who removes sacks from rushing totals.

Against Furman, in Week 8 of the 2024 season, Gonzales threw for 620 yards and five touchdowns.

In Gonzales, the Sooners add more quarterback depth to go along with Mateer, [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] and 2025 signee [autotag]Jett Niu[/autotag]. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining 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.

Oklahoma Sooners QB makes big impression on new offensive coordinator

Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle had high praise for Michael Hawkins Jr.

The Oklahoma Sooners are once again undergoing a remodel at the quarterback position.

Last year, it was the exits of Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel that led to the promotion of Seth Littrell and Jackson Arnold. That didn’t go as planned. Littrell was fired after seven games, and Arnold is an Auburn Tiger.

2025’s remodel will primarily feature new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag], assistant quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski and incoming transfer portal quarterback [autotag]John Mateer[/autotag].

But at least one player from the 2024 room will still be in Norman next season. True freshman [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] started three games for coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] this season, mixing in some good and some bad. He’s decided not to follow Arnold out the door and will instead stay at OU.

Arbuckle has been observing bowl practices, and the play of Hawkins has caught his eye. This week Arbuckle did an interview with SoonerScoop.com’s “The Family Business,” in which he raved about Hawkins’ growth in recent practices.

“Talking about Michael Hawkins, that kid in just five practices, I’ve seen him get so much better,” Arbuckle told “The Family Business” after he was asked about the talent already on the roster. “He is so talented, and he’s gonna be such a dang good player. So he’s someone that I’m really, really excited to like get to work with and put my hands around and get to mold and everything, cause he’s uber-talented.”

Arbuckle went on to praise OU’s returning offensive linemen, running backs and wide receiver Deion Burks, saying he’s excited for what the Sooners can be on offense next year.

In addition to the transfer portal departures of Arnold and Brendan Zurbrugg, senior Casey Thompson will be out of eligibility after this week’s game. Now, Arbuckle is reloading the QB room on the fly. Mateer’s commitment was huge, as was Hawkins’ decision to stay. Arbuckle added Jett Niu in recruiting earlier this month and last year’s fifth-string quarterback, walk-on Steele Wasel could return as well.

The Oklahoma Sooners need a significantly better offensive performance in 2025 and that starts with the offensive coordinator and the quarterback.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.

Takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners depth chart for Armed Forces Bowl

What stands out from Oklahoma Sooners depth chart for the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy?

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

The 2024 Oklahoma Sooners still have one game to play before we can move on to the 2025 season. OU went 6-6 overall and 2-6 in Southeastern Conference play, earning a berth in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen (noon, Friday, Dec. 27).

After a brutal SEC schedule, Brent Venables[/autotag] and his team didn’t get a great bowl draw. Navy went 9-3 and defeated Army, which won the American Athletic Conference title.

The Sooners have released their depth chart for the last game of the year, and it reflects the 25 players who entered the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. The Sooners could still see more players enter the portal before it closes on Dec. 28, but this is where things stand.

Some positions have seen plenty of change. Of course, OU will lose more players to graduation, lack of remaining collegiate eligibility or the NFL draft, but they’ll suit up in the crimson and cream one more time.

Here are the four biggest takeaways from OU’s depth chart for the Armed Forces Bowl.

1. No Stutsman, No Bowman

Both [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] have played their final game in an Oklahoma jersey, and both had excellent careers in Norman.

As the duo prepares for their pro careers and the draft in April, let’s remember to salute what they did in their four years as Sooners.

Otherwise, Oklahoma’s defense will have plenty of familiar faces, and the coaching staff is hoping they will return in 2025. There are still plenty of decisions to be made there, but it looks like that unit will be mostly intact in Fort Worth.

2. Hawkins Takes Over Again

On the other hand, Oklahoma’s offensive depth chart is a work in progress, to say the least. Let’s start at quarterback. With Jackson Arnold’s transfer to Auburn, [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] takes over at quarterback one more time in 2024.

Hawkins will make the fourth start of his true freshman season after he spelled Arnold midway through the year. Hawkins has a chance to show Sooner Nation his growth before he settles back into a reserve role behind newcomer John Mateer in 2025.

Hawkins’ decision to stick it out and stay at Oklahoma could prove fruitful for both parties. He has a chance to be developed properly under new offensive coordinator [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag].

3. Wide Receiver Woes

Oklahoma has six scholarship wide receivers on the roster. They could be down to four scholarship players for the Navy game if Deion Burks is unable to play because Jayden Gibson is still out after his preseason injury.

True freshmen Zion Kearney, Zion Ragins, Ivan Carreon and K.J. Daniels appear on the depth chart, as do walk-ons including Jacob Jordan.

It’s a position the coaching staff is doing some work to rebuild this offseason; they have to find guys who can be both healthy and productive.

4. Barnes Will Not Play

Oklahoma hasn’t had any of the top four running backs on the roster ([autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], Xavier Robinson, Taylor Tatum and Gavin Sawchuk) enter the portal yet. That could change, but there’s a chance the room will be pretty good in 2025. Each of those four brings a different skill set, but one guy emerging to be the feature back would be ideal.

For a brief minute this season, that was Barnes. He had become OU’s best offensive player, but he was injured against Maine and missed the rest of the year.

Unlike Robinson, Tatum and Sawchuk, Barnes doesn’t appear on the depth chart. That could be because he’s definitely out because of his ankle injury.

Barnes returning in 2025 would give Venables and Arbuckle a veteran guy in the backfield capable of being a workhorse when called upon. That room looks a bit crowded, so don’t be shocked if one of the four decides to look for more carries elsewhere this winter or spring.

Joel Klatt believes Jackson Arnold can still have success

Joel Klatt thinks Jackson Arnold QB could still have a good career.

Former five-star quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag]’s short time with the Oklahoma Sooners came to an end on Saturday when he signed with the Auburn Tigers.

The young QB, who was supposed to be the face of the program for at least two seasons and lead OU into the Southeastern Conference, will now try to help Hugh Freeze and the Tigers improve upon their 5-7 season in 2024.

He started 10 games in an OU uniform after serving as the backup during his freshman season in 2023. He went 5-5 as a starter, but just two of those wins came against power conference teams and only one was against an SEC team. 2024 was supposed to be the year that he broke out on the scene, but it didn’t happen.

However, there are many who still believe in Arnold’s potential and what he can do at Auburn.

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt thinks that Arnold can still be successful, but he also has some questions. He appeared as a guest on “The Next Round” podcast and remarked it was hard to say for sure whether Arnold would live up to his potential with the Tigers.

“My biggest question is going to be his confidence,” Klatt said. “I’m wondering what happened to his psyche during the course of this year.”

Arnold’s confidence appeared shaken a couple of times in 2024, most notably against Tennessee and later in the season against Missouri. In some of the biggest moments for the Sooners, Arnold was turnover-prone and made mistakes that cost OU dearly.

However, he played very well against Alabama and looked more confident in his second stint as the starter for the final five games of the regular season.

“I think he can have a lot of success,” Klatt said. “It remains to be seen.”

Oklahoma’s quarterback room in 2024 consisted of five players. With Jackson Arnold and [autotag]Brendan Zurbrugg[/autotag] opting for the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] and Casey Thompson out of eligibility, it will undergo another makeover in 2025.

[autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] will return, and the Sooners signed [autotag]Jett Niu[/autotag] as a part of their [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag] earlier this month. Steele Wasel, a walk-on, could return, but OU will need to add at least one portal QB to fill out the room again.

That likely includes a player who will either be the starter or compete to be the starter under OC [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag] as Oklahoma tries to bounce back at the position in 2025.

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 Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.

Former Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold set to visit Auburn, per report

Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold will visit the Auburn Tigers per reports.

Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] could be staying in the same conference as his old team.

The [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] quarterback has a visit set up with the Auburn Tigers, according to Justin Hokanson of On3.

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Auburn, Mississippi State, or Georgia reportedly have an interest in Arnold. The Bulldogs, coached by former OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who recruited Arnold, will reportedly be attempting to set up a visit with Arnold this weekend.

Mississippi State is considered to lead for Arnold’s services because of the connection between Lebby and Arnold. Bulldogs freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren has entered the portal, which could be a signal that the former five-star is heading to Starkville.

Georgia, on the other hand, is in the College Football Playoff, and the play of Gunnar Stockton, who takes over for the injured Carson Beck, could determine how heavily they are involved in the portal QB sweepstakes.

Arnold was supposed to be a generational QB at Oklahoma, the guy to lead [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] and the Sooners into the Southeastern Conference. Instead, he made just ten total starts in an OU uniform, struggling in his only season as the starter.

He was benched in favor of [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] for three games in the middle of the season but returned to replace Hawkins for the final five games of the year.

Despite his play in the upset win over Alabama, Arnold had a rocky go of things, especially in the passing game. He turned in a few “wow” moments, but turnovers, bad offensive coordinators, and a bad supporting cast did him in. Now, he’ll play elsewhere.

With Arnold gone and Casey Thompson out of eligibility next season, Hawkins is the only current QB on the roster with any collegiate experience. He’s joined by Brendan Zurbrugg, Steele Wasel, and 2025 quarterback [autotag]Jett Niu[/autotag].

Hawkins could stay and compete for the starting gig next year, but the Sooners will certainly be looking for a high-level starter in the portal this offseason.

Ideally, that role is filled by John Mateer, who worked with new offensive coordinator [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag] this season at Washington State.

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 Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

Oklahoma’s Ben Arbuckle has impressive quarterback track record

Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator is something of a QB whisperer.

The search for the next Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator is over. Coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] hired Ben Arbuckle away from the Washington State Cougars to call plays and coach quarterbacks in Norman.

Though Arbuckle is just 29 years old, he has already called plays for three seasons. He cut his teeth under new Florida Atlantic coach and previous Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley. He may be young, but he has earned a reputation as a quarterback whisperer in a very short time.

After Sooners fans suffered through a 2024 season of watching a broken offense and quarterbacks who weren’t handled or coached correctly, Arbuckle is a sight for sore eyes. Whether it’s [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag] or a [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] quarterback who starts for the Sooners next year, they’ll have Arbuckle as his primary teacher.

But who has Arbuckle coached prior to landing in Norman? Here is each QB he’s tutored at the college level.

Bailey Zappe

Houston Baptist (FCS), 2018-2019; Western Kentucky, 2021

Arbuckle’s coaching career started as a quality control coach at FCS Houston Baptist in 2018 and 2019. It was there that he worked with Bailey Zappe, and was instrumental in the young QB’s development.

Zappe threw 58 touchdowns to just 28 interceptions over those two seasons. After a year in the high school ranks in Texas, Arbuckle found his way back to Zappe in 2021 at Western Kentucky. Arbuckle was an offensive quality control coach, and Zappe was once again the starter under center. They worked closely together again.

Zappe broke Football Bowl Subdivision records that season, throwing 62 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions and almost 6,000 yards. He was drafted by the New England Patriots after the year, starting a few games for them over a couple of seasons.

That performance earned the OC, Kittley, the same job at Texas Tech. Arbuckle was chosen to succeed Kittley in 2022.

Austin Reed

Western Kentucky, 2022

In his first stint calling plays. Arbuckle worked with WKU’s Austin Reed. A 40-to-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2022 speaks for itself, but Reed also threw for 4,744 yards for one of the best offenses in college football. His yardage total led the nation.

Arbuckle left Tyson Helton’s staff to take the same job under Jake Dickert at Washington State. Reed stayed with the Hilltoppers, but saw his stats dip in 2023 without Arbuckle. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and is in the midst of his rookie season.

Cam Ward

Washington State, 2023

In his first of two seasons in Pullman, Arbuckle mentored Cam Ward, a former Incarnate Word transfer. Ward threw for over 3,700 yards, 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, all improvements over his previous season with the Cougars.

Ward’s 2023 campaign made him a high-profile player and the new quarterback of the Miami Hurricanes after he transferred to South Florida for 2024. He’s been arguably the best quarterback in the country, leading Miami to a 10-2 regular season. He’ll likely be a Heisman Trophy finalist and a high pick in April’s NFL Draft.

After Ward transferred, Arbuckle needed another QB for the 2024 season.

John Mateer

Washington State, 2024

Arbuckle found his guy in unheralded three-star prospect John Mateer. Mateer has been a revelation for the Cougars this year. He has thrown for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 15 scores on the ground to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision with 44 total touchdowns.

The interesting part of this equation is Mateer is a candidate to enter the portal this offseason. OU and Arbuckle are a distinct possibility for a landing spot if he does. Other schools will certainly vie for his services as well, making Arbuckle’s next QB protégée still up in the air for 2025.

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 Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

3 keys for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. the LSU Tigers

3 keys for the Oklahoma Sooners against the LSU Tigers.

Week 14 of the 2024 college football season brings us the Oklahoma Sooners matching up against the LSU Tigers. OU is currently 6-5 overall and 2-5 in Southeastern Conference play, as the final week of the regular season features a key matchup in Baton Rouge.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ team secured a 26th-straight bowl berth last week with a surprising 24-3 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Now Oklahoma is looking to guarantee a winning record this year and improve their bowl destination.

To get a second-straight win, the Sooners will need to play excellent football on the road against a very good team. The Tigers looked like one of the best teams in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] earlier this season before losses against Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida put a damper on their season. Still, they are capable of playing with the best of the conference, getting wins over teams like Ole Miss and South Carolina earlier this year.

LSU is coming off of a bounce-back win over Vanderbilt, and it’ll be Senior Night at Tiger Stadium. They are also looking to improve their bowl game and send their seniors off with a win over a blue blood program.

Here are three keys for Oklahoma, as they try to take down the Bayou Bengals.

1. Handle the Atmosphere

Night games in Death Valley can get incredibly rowdy, and that’s exactly the environment the Sooners are walking into on Saturday night. The Tigers have one of the best homefield advantages in all of college football, and that place will be rocking.

The Sooners haven’t handled road atmospheres very well this year, with their only road win coming at Auburn. The quarterback who started that game ([autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag]) won’t be starting this week. [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], who started road losses against Ole Miss and Missouri, will have to step up and lead his troops in an environment that will be way tougher than Faurot Field.

2. Another Epic Defensive Performance

The OU defense was on fire against Alabama last week, shutting down the Crimson Tide offense time and time again. One of the most explosive offenses in the conference was powerless to move the ball against [autotag]Zac Alley[/autotag]’s unit.

LSU goes about things a bit differently on offense, but they’re still effective. Garrett Nussmeier isn’t a heavy run threat, but he’s thrown for nearly 3,500 yards this season. His weapons can hurt you, as the Tigers are very good at the skill positions. As per usual this season, it’ll be up to the defense to win this game.

3. New Wrinkles on Offense

The Sooners ran the ball almost at will last week, and it was effective. LSU has had a week to prepare for what Oklahoma did against Alabama, so there will have to be some new things in the playbook.

The general tone should stay the same. OU needs to run the ball, run the quarterback, hold onto the ball and shorten this game. LSU has struggled with quarterback run game, allowing Jalen Milroe and Marcel Reed to have big days against the Tigers.

That’s the primary recipe for success for this team, with all of their obvious limitations on offense. The Tigers will almost certainly load up the box this week, forcing the Sooners to throw the ball. Can Arnold do that? It’s the question that might decide this game.

Oklahoma and LSU will kick off at 6:00 p.m. from Baton Rouge, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Former Oklahoma Sooners star reveals his pick for offensive coordinator

Dusty Dvoracek has his thoughts on who should replace Seth Littrell at offensive coordinator.

It’s no secret the offense has performed well below expectations for the Oklahoma Sooners this year.

With Jeff Lebby leaving to become the coach at Mississippi State at the end of the 2023 regular season, Sooner fans hoped coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ decision to promote from within the program would pay off. Instead, it’s done the opposite.

Seth Littrell and [autotag]Joe Jon Finley[/autotag] were promoted to co-offensive coordinators. Littrell served as the quarterbacks coach and the primary play caller. Finley continued to coach the tight ends.

However, it only took seven games for Littrell to be relieved of his duties. The offense was (and still is) broken, and changes had to be made. Finley was installed as the interim play caller and offensive analyst [autotag]Kevin Johns[/autotag] was promoted to interim co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

After promising signs from the duo against Ole Miss and Maine, the offense sank against Missouri in a crushing loss. Finley and Johns will not be the answer next season, and the external search continues for Venables.

With questions over the choice at quarterback, [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] or [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag], looming and offensive line problems that have to be fixed, there are a multitude of issues for the new OC on the job to address this offseason.

In addition, the questions about what will happen to the other offensive position coaches on the staff will be interesting to watch. Emmett Jones (wide receivers/passing game coordinator), Bill Bedenbaugh (offensive line) and DeMarco Murray (running backs) will have a new boss, if they’re in Norman next season.

There are plenty of opinions on who Venables should hire, but one person who raises eyebrows is beginning to gain some steam. One former standout at OU has put his support behind a once-unlikely candidate.

Former star defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek thinks former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen should take the reins of the Oklahoma offense. He joined fellow OU standouts Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman on “The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman” last week to voice why he would call Mullen if he was Venables.

“On my list, my No. 1 person I’m calling is Dan Mullen,” the ESPN college football color commentator said. “I have no idea, outside of a major head coaching opportunity, if he’d even entertain this conversation. If you’re asking me what I’d do, I’d pick up the phone and make him tell me no. … The dude can coach offense with anybody in the sport, and he can develop quarterbacks as well as anybody in the sport.”

Dvoracek and Mullen are colleagues at ESPN. The latter has been a studio analyst and color commentator since the 2022 season. It’s been his gig since he was fired by Florida late in the 2021 regular season.

Mullen was Florida’s offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer when the Gators won two national championships in the 2000s. He developed Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow during that time.

He became Mississippi State’s coach in 2009 and served their until 2017. The Bulldogs had some of their best years under Mullen, including the 2014 season where they reached No. 1 in the rankings and beat Alabama. He mentored Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during his time in Starkville.

He returned to Florida as the coach in 2018, leading to three good seasons before he was fired during a rough 2021 campaign. His supporters note his success as a play caller in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag], while his detractors call out his lack of a strong recruiting presence in his latter years with the Gators.

It’s absolutely imperative for Venables to nail this offensive coordinator search. His future and the program’s future ride so heavily on him getting this move right, heading into a make-or-break 2025 season.

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 Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.