Brent Venables shoulders blame for another Oklahoma loss

Brent Venables says he knows things have to improve drastically. Sooner Nation is wondering if he’s the guy who can deliver.

The Oklahoma Sooners concluded a 6-7 dud of a 2024 season with a 21-20  loss against the Navy Midshipmen in Friday’s Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

Third-year coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] saw his team take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, then watched that lead evaporate over the course of the rest of the afternoon. It was another hard moment in a season full of them. OU went 2-6 in SEC play and 4-1 otherwise. Two 6-7 seasons sandwiched around a 10-3 campaign will not get the job done in Norman.

To his credit, Venables has never deflected the blame. He didn’t do it after the loss in Forth Worth either, shouldering responsibility for how the game and the season went in Year 1 in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

“Everything falls on me,” Venables said after the loss. “Everything falls at my feet. Really disappointed in myself. I need to be a lot better, and that goes without saying.”

To be clear, that’s the response I want a coach to have at a time like this. It’s a lot better than saying, “We’re close,” or blaming others.

But Venables knows there are big problems within the Oklahoma football program — problems that aren’t being fixed. So, is he the guy to fix those problems and get the program back to the glory days of Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops?

Or is he incapable of turning the program around?

That’s why 2025 is a make-or-break season for Venables and the Sooners.

After admitting his mistake of choosing to promote Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley to replace Jeff Lebby as offensive coordinator, Venables took a risk on 29-year-old [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag] to run his offense next season.

After missing on Jackson Arnold at the quarterback position, he spent the money to go get Arbuckle’s QB, the top signal-caller available in the portal, [autotag]John Mateer[/autotag].

Venables is banking on these moves (and more) to help him right the ship in a “gotta have it” season.

If the coach can win enough games next year and prove he has things going in the proper direction, he’ll likely get a chance to build on it in 2026.

But if 2025 is more of the same and Venables doesn’t win enough games, he’ll be out and someone else will take the reins of one of college football’s most storied programs.

So, props to Venables for shouldering the blame for a bad season. But his Sooners have had many of the same problems, big or small, throughout his 39 games at the helm. He apparently knows they need to be dealt with. Next season will be all about seeing whether Venables can fix those problems or not.

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.

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.

How to buy Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen football tickets

Want to watch the Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen in person on Saturday, Dec. 14? Tickets still remain for as little as $211.

The annual armed forces college football rivalry game between the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen is set to take place inside Northwest Stadium on Dec. 14. If you want to catch the historic action live and in person, we have the details you need to know right here.

The Black Knights galloped through the 2024 schedule, putting together an 11-1 overall record that included a perfect finish in American Athletic Conference play as well as a win in the title game on Friday night over the Tulane Green Wave.

The Midshipmen assembled an 8-3 total tally this fall along with a 6-2 mark against other AAC schools. Unlike their upcoming opponent, who is ranked 23rd in the US LBM Coaches Poll, Navy comes in voteless in the rankings.

The Army Black Knights will take on the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. ET.

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How to buy Army vs. Navy football tickets

This epic rivalry dates back to 1890 and never seems to disappoint. Navy leads the all-time series with a 62-55-7 record thanks in large part to a fairly recent 14-game winning streak. However, Army has won six of the past eight meetings including the last two.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen are $211.

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How to buy Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football tickets

Want to watch the Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish in person on Saturday, Oct. 26? Tickets still remain for as little as $67.

The Navy Midshipmen and Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to continue their longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country this Saturday in college football’s Week 9, and if you want to see history in the making at MetLife Stadium, here are the ticket details you need to know.

The Midshipmen come into the weekend at a de facto No. 28 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll with a 6-0 overall mark and 37 votes. The upcoming battle represents the biggest challenge this fall for the Naval Academy.

The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 11 in the Coaches Poll with a 5-1 total tally in 2024 so far. The lone loss came in their Week 2 upset at the hands of the Northern Illinois Huskies, in one of the more exciting upheavals of the current campaign.

The Navy Midshipmen will host Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon ET.

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How to buy Navy vs Notre Dame football tickets

The Fighting Irish hold an absolutely overwhelming 80–13–1 grip on the all-time series but this season might be a bit different. Notre Dame showed it could be tripped up and this edition of the Navy squad appears to be a robust one.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting are $67.

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How to buy Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football tickets

Want to watch the Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish in person on Saturday, Oct. 26? Tickets still remain for as little as $67.

The Navy Midshipmen and Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to continue their longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country this Saturday in college football’s Week 9, and if you want to see history in the making at MetLife Stadium, here are the ticket details you need to know.

The Midshipmen come into the weekend at a de facto No. 28 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll with a 6-0 overall mark and 37 votes. The upcoming battle represents the biggest challenge this fall for the Naval Academy.

The Fighting Irish are ranked No. 11 in the Coaches Poll with a 5-1 total tally in 2024 so far. The lone loss came in their Week 2 upset at the hands of the Northern Illinois Huskies, in one of the more exciting upheavals of the current campaign.

The Navy Midshipmen will host Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon ET.

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How to buy Navy vs Notre Dame football tickets

The Fighting Irish hold an absolutely overwhelming 80–13–1 grip on the all-time series but this season might be a bit different. Notre Dame showed it could be tripped up and this edition of the Navy squad appears to be a robust one.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the Navy Midshipmen vs Notre Dame Fighting are $67.

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Navy Midshipmen: CFN College Football Preview 2021

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2021: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Navy Schedule Analysis
– Navy Previews
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

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2020 Record: 3-7 overall, 3-4 in AAC
Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo, 14th year, 101-67
2020 CFN Final Ranking: 88
2020 CFN Preview Ranking: 75
2019 CFN Final Ranking: 17

Navy College Football Preview 2021: Offense

The offense didn’t work like it was supposed to. It wasn’t physical enough and it didn’t tear off the big runs like a normal Navy O. The Midshipmen only averaged 178 rushing yards per game, the offense only averaged 16.6 points per outing and the team was 124th in the nation out of 127 teams in total offense. The ground game has to find its groove again or it’ll be another lost season.

It starts up front. The Midshipmen struggled to get the blocking going, and now it has get better with three new starters. Navy can’t be 42nd in the nation in rushing again, and it needs to improve without leading rusher Nelson Smith. It’s Navy. There are runners.

FB Jamale Carothers isn’t huge, but he’s a fast inside threat who can handle the work, and there are plenty of options for the slotback position including former QB Tyger Goslin and veteran Chance Warren.

Goslin could seem time at quarterback if needed, but 5-9, 165-pound Xavier Arline will likely get the first look. He’ll have to battle with 6-2, 220-pound sophomore Tai Lavatai and 6-0, 190-pound Jayden Umbarger, but no matter who’s under center, the production has to be steadier.

As always, there won’t be a whole lot of passes – just 57 competitions in the ten games last year – but 6-5, 221-pound Mychal Cooper is good and 6-2, 203-pound Mark Walker is another big target who can hit the home run.

– What You Need To Know: Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Navy Schedule Analysis

NEXT: Navy College Football Preview 2021: Defense

Navy Football Schedule 2021, Analysis

Navy Midshipmen 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what American Athletic Conference teams they miss.

Navy Midshipmen 2021 football schedule, analysis, and what American Athletic Conference teams they miss.


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Navy Football Schedule 2021

2021 AAC Football Schedule

Sept. 4 Marshall

Sept. 11 Air Force

Sept. 18 OPEN DATE

Sept. 25 at Houston

Oct. 2 UCF

Oct. 9 SMU

Oct. 14 at Memphis

Oct. 23 Cincinnati

Oct. 29 at Tulsa

Nov. 6 at Notre Dame

Nov. 13 OPEN DATE

Nov. 20 East Carolina

Nov. 27 at Temple

Dec. 4 OPEN DATE

Dec. 11 Army (in East Rutherford)

Navy Midshipmen Football Schedule Analysis: COMING

American Athletic Conference Teams Missed: Tulane, USF

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College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Schedule Analysis
– Navy Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 11-2 overall, 7-1 in AAC
Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo, 13th year, 98-60
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 24
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 17
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 105

NOTE: Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen Offense 3 Things To Know

You know what’s coming with the Navy offense. After the ground game sputtered just a wee bit – at least for this program – in 2018, the O hit the 4,000-yard rushing mark for the sixth time in seven years.

Step One is replacing 2,000-yard runner Malcolm Perry at quarterback. Sophomore Perry Olsen will get the first look to take over, but others will get a long look as the coaching staff plays around with the option. Essentially, the goal is to get as many good, quick runners on the field as possible.


CFN in 60 Video
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As always, the passing game is along for the ride. If the receivers can connect on a few big plays a game, it’s doing its job. 6-5, 221-pound junior Mychal Cooper is a perfect fit – big frame, physical, and can get deep. He led the team with 18 catches averaging over 21 yards per catch, and 6-3, 200-pound Ryan Mitchell was able to make an impact on is eight grabs.

The Midshipmen are used to replacing parts on the O line – experience with this group is always a luxury. The training system works, but there’s going to be some reworking to do on the left side and at center. All-star Billy Honaker is a great tackle to start with, and Justin Self is a versatile option who’ll take on a bigger role. It’ll end up working, especially because the backs are in place to make it all go.

Malcolm Perry was the team’s top runner, but Jamale Carothers and Nelson Smith are strong veteran inside backs – they combined for 21 touchdowns – and CJ Williams is the typical lightning-quick runner on the outside. In all, the top six running backs are expected to return.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Navy Midshipmen Defense 3 Things To Know