Tag: Oklahoma Sooners football 2024

Oklahoma-Alabama gets ESPN’s lead broadcast crew on Saturday

Fowler, Herbstreit and Rowe will make their second trip to Norman in 2024.

The Oklahoma Sooners will play just their seventh game all-time against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. Two of the undeniable blue bloods in college football will square off in Norman in front of a primetime, national TV audience in Week 13. ABC will broadcast the game as part of an “SEC on ABC” tripleheader, that concludes with the Sooners hosting the Crimson Tide at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Though ESPN’s “College GameDay” won’t be making a return trip to Norman, the network’s lead announcing crew will. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe will call their third OU game this season and second game on Owen Field.

The trio was in Norman when the Sooners hosted Tennessee in Week 4, OU’s first conference game in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag]. The Volunteers won 25-15, as Oklahoma struggled offensively in front of the entire country.

They were also in Dallas at the Red River Rivalry in Week 7, as the Sooners fell against the top-ranked Texas Longhorns by a score of 34-3. In the first edition of the rivalry in the Southeastern Conference, Oklahoma again fell flat in front of the nation against their biggest rivals.

Here’s hoping that the third time’s the charm for the Sooners in front of the top broadcast crew for ESPN.

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Oklahoma Sooners captains against Alabama Crimson Tide

The Sooners will be represented by some of their veterans on Senior Day in Norman.

The Oklahoma Sooners will be back at home this week for their final home game of the 2024 season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’ll be Senior Day in Norman, as plenty of veteran stalwarts will be playing their final game on Owen Field.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] announced his game captains for this [autotag]SEC[/autotag] tilt. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], offensive lineman [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag], defensive lineman [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive backs [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag] will represent the Sooners for this key contest.

Arnold will be a captain for the second straight game after a dismal performance against Missouri. His fumble at the end allowed the Tigers to win a comeback on their home field. Arnold’s standing as a captain would seem to indicate that he’s still Venables’ starter at quarterback.

Everett has become OU’s starting center, taking control of the job after getting healthy in the middle of the season. He’s one of the few veterans still healthy on the offensive line, surrounded by portal acquisitions and youth up front.

Downs is a steady presence at defensive end for the Sooners. He isn’t the flashiest player, but he’s always in the right place. He’s grown into a solid leader and clutch player for Venables over the last three seasons.

Stutsman is the heart and soul of this team. He’s the vocal leader and the enforcer at inside linebacker in the middle of the defense. He’ll play one more game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and his career in the crimson and cream has been excellent.

Bowman Jr. is another player who decided to return to school this past offseason, turning down a chance at the pros. If Oklahoma is makes a bowl game, it’ll likely be Bowman making a pivotal play to get them there. His scoop and score against Mizzou should have given the Sooners their sixth win two weeks ago.

Washington is the longest-tenured player on the team, having been a Sooner since 2019. He’s seen it all over his six years in Norman and is a respected veteran voice in a young locker room.

The senior group of Downs, Stutsman, Bowman and Washington are the only four defensive players that remain from the Lincoln Riley-Alex Grinch era at Oklahoma. They have been here for the transformation of OU’s defense over the last three seasons and have a huge hand in what that side of the ball looks like today.

As the season winds to a close for the Sooners, the coaching staff will clearly be looking to Arnold and the veterans to pave the way for Oklahoma to try to upset Alabama.

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What did Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer have to say about the Oklahoma Sooners?

Kalen DeBoer and Brent Venables will meet for the first time when Alabama visits Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Sooners look to gain bowl eligibility on Saturday when they host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday. OU is 5-5 and has the Tide coming to Norman for the final home game of the 2024 season.

This game has lost some of its luster due to the Sooners being as bad as they are, but it’s a measuring stick to see how far [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ team has to go if it wants to hang with the best of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag].

The Crimson Tide have a new coach this season for the first time since 2007. Kalen DeBoer replaced Nick Saban after the legendary coach retired after last season. So far, it’s been an 8-2 season for ‘Bama with losses on the road against Vanderbilt and Tennessee.

Alabama is still right in the mix to play in the SEC Championship game and they can’t afford a loss against Oklahoma. DeBoer has had the tough task of stepping in for an icon, but he’s done well in his first season in Tuscaloosa. He gave his initial thoughts on OU during his Monday press availability.

“It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer said. “A physical football team all around. Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense, always just what they do with their scheme and then their personnel and the way they fly around. We’ll have to get ready for their offense with a couple of quarterbacks, potentially, just some skilled players.”

DeBoer went on to highlight the number of close games the Sooners have been in this season, specifically their last loss against the Missouri Tigers.

“You look at the games they’ve played, a lot of close games going into the second half and even the fourth quarter,” DeBoer said. “The Missouri game obviously was a crazy ending and some plays made both ways just in the final two minutes. Each and every game takes on its own life and for us, we’re focused on the next play and for us, the next game and everything that goes into being our best and that’s what our recipe for success has been here over the last month.”

DeBoer and Bama will have a great deal of confidence as they swagger onto Owen Field this week. It’ll be up to Venables and OU to halt their momentum to get win No. 6 on the season.

Kickoff between Oklahoma and Alabama is set for 6:30 p.m. Central. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

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Oklahoma Sooners defensive back still has confidence in team with two games left

Oklahoma’s Peyton Bowen believes the Sooners have what it takes to get to a bowl game.

The Oklahoma Sooners fumbled away a golden opportunity to become bowl eligible last week, losing on the road against the Missouri Tigers. OU will have to win at least one of their final two games to make the postseason. If they fail, it’ll break a 25-year streak of bowl-eligibility.

It’s been quite a fall from grace in Norman over the last few years, as a program that was strong and a frequent contender under Bob Stoops became an explosive, yet ultimately flawed product under Lincoln Riley. Three years in under [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], the Sooners are just flawed.

From the elite ranks of college football to fighting to win as many games as they lose, no one saw quite this much of a regression from Oklahoma. But there’s still belief in the 2024 team from none other than some of the players in the locker room.

One such player is sophomore defensive back [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag], one of OU’s trio of safeties that have been very good this season. He was asked about this team’s mindset coming off of last week’s embarrassing loss, with chances at getting to six wins running out.

“We’ve still got a lot to play for,” Bowen said. “Bowl eligibility with these two games, we’ve got one more in The Palace and one more in Death Valley. Like I said at the beginning of the year, every game is winnable. We’ve got the guys to do it, and I think we can, I know we can, and we’ve just got to go out there and win them.”

That’s what you want to hear from a second-year player, even if OU fans don’t quite share the same sentiment. Bowen is about to have so much more responsibility placed on his shoulders next season when players like Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman head to the pros. If Robert Spears-Jennings decides to go to the league as well, Bowen would suddenly be the leader of the safety position in 2025.

Oklahoma will host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 23 for Senior Day in Norman, and the final game of the season will be on the road against the  LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Kickoff time, TV information announced for Oklahoma-Alabama

Oklahoma will host Alabama under the lights in their final home game of the season.

The Oklahoma Sooners will play their penultimate game of the 2024 season next week, after their upcoming bye week. With OU fielding their worst team since the John Blake years in the late 1990s, one might hope that the Sooners could go quietly about their business of losing and avoid the spotlight, before the offseason.

However, that won’t be the case. OU’s home finale will come against Alabama on Owen Field, and the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] has decided to put the game in primetime.

It’ll be a 6:30 p.m. kickoff in Norman for the Sooners and the Crimson Tide on Saturday November 23rd, and the game will broadcast on ABC in front of a nationally-televised audience.

It’s another bad break in a season full of them for Oklahoma, as the entire country will be able to tune in to watch [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] against a red hot Alabama Crimson Tide.

At the very least, it’ll be one final opportunity for seniors like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag] to play in their home stadium. Both players deserved better than what they got this season, but hopefully they will be celebrated one last time at home.

3 Oklahoma Sooners freshmen to watch against Missouri

Three freshmen to keep your eye on as the Sooners battle the Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners will look to win their second straight game on Saturday, as they’ll visit the Missouri Tigers. OU defeated Maine last week, with several true freshmen getting plenty of snaps in a blowout win over an FCS foe.

This week, it’s back to the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] grind for [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ squad, as Oklahoma looks to reach bowl eligibility. With plenty of injuries still hampering the Sooners, it could be another opportunity for some young players to step into the spotlight on the road.

Here are three freshmen to keep your eye on when Oklahoma takes on Missouri.

1. Xavier Robinson, RB

Running back [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] was impressive last week against the Black Bears. He was playing in mop-up duty against lesser competition, but his physicality and burst has some clamoring to see what he can do at the highest level.

Robinson is a local talent from Carl Albert High School in Oklahoma, and he’s been buried on the depth chart behind Jovantae Barnes, Taylor Tatum, and others. No one is saying he should surpass Barnes or Tatum, but it’d be interesting to see what he can do if given the chance to get more work.

2. Reggie Powers III, DB

Each of the past two weeks, I’ve included one of OU’s freshmen trio of defensive backs in this piece. This week, [autotag]Reggie Powers III[/autotag] gets the nod. He, along with Jaydan Hardy and Michael Boganowski make up an exciting future at safety for Oklahoma’s defense. They’re all playing more and more as the season moves along.

Powers had a beautiful interception in the fourth quarter last week that was wiped off the board due to a roughing the passer penalty. He’s been solid on special teams, and could certainly see more snaps as the Sooners try to cover up some of their deficiencies at cornerback.

3. Ivan Carreon, WR

We’ll go a little out of the box for this third one. Everyone knows about OU’s wide receiver injuries in 2024. And everyone knows about the various levels of impact true freshmen wideouts like Jacob Jordan, Zion Kearney, and Zion Ragins have had in their place.

But another guy who has gotten a bit of playing time is [autotag]Ivan Carreon[/autotag]. He’s got the most size of the group at 6-foot-6, and is a good blocker on the outside. He’s caught a couple of passes this season, but could be in line for some more targets if the Sooners have bad injury luck at wideout again this week. He followed Emmett Jones from Texas Tech, decommitting from the Red Raiders to come to Norman.

Oklahoma vs. Missouri will kick off on SEC Network at 6:45 p.m. from Columbia, Missouri.

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Oklahoma Sooners captains against Missouri Tigers

The Sooners will be led by some of the biggest names on the team as captains against the Tigers.

The Oklahoma Sooners take the road this week, heading to Columbia, Missouri as they jump back into [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play. The 5-4 Sooners will look to win their second straight game, as they’ll visit the Missouri Tigers for a primetime battle away from home.

OU head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has announced his game captains for this conference tilt, and his team will be represented by some of the biggest names on the roster in a pivotal contest. Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag], defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Billy Bowman Jr.[/autotag] will lead Oklahoma into battle as captains in week eleven.

Arnold has gone from the heir-apparent, to the no-doubt starter, to being benched, to being re-inserted in the lineup, and now back to captain status in a whirlwind month and a half. The sophomore has looked more comfortable since regaining his starting spot, and his play will go a long way toward deciding this week’s game.

Sharp has shown some positive things at tight end, but there’s still plenty to work on for a player still new to the position. The coaching staff clearly trusts him to get the lion’s share of the reps, and he’s been more effective since the offensive coordinator change.

Williams was a big offseason addition for this team, and has been been reliable in the interior of the defensive line. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s helped one of the strongest units on the team consistently shut down the inside run game week after week.

Halton has improved so much over the last couple of seasons, and is really coming into his own as another great interior line option on this defense. He’s found a knack for getting into the backfield and making big plays, none bigger than his game-changing safety against Houston all the way back in week two.

Stutsman is the unquestioned leader of this team, and one of the best inside linebackers in college football. He hasn’t seen as many wins in his senior season as he’d like, but he continues to excel no matter how far back against the wall the offense puts the defense this year.

Bowman Jr. hasn’t matched his unbelievable production from a year ago, but he’s still a very good veteran player in the back end of OU’s defense. If he can return to his ball-hawking, turnover-causing 2023 form, it’ll help this team immensely over the final four weeks of the regular season.

The Sooners are putting some of their biggest stars front and center for this game. The noteworthy names, especially Stutsman, Bowman Jr. and Arnold will have to play like stars on Saturday, and the rest of the season, for Oklahoma to begin stacking wins in the SEC.

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What happened last time Oklahoma Sooners played Missouri?

OU and Mizzou last squared off 13 years ago in Norman. The rematch comes on Saturday in Columbia.

The Oklahoma Sooners jump back into [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play this Saturday when they face the Missouri Tigers on the road. [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ team looks to become bowl eligible with a victory. The Sooners go on the road as slight underdogs in the conference tilt.

The Sooners and the Tigers were once conference foes in both the Big Eight and the Big 12. Oklahoma owns a 67-24-5 lead in the all-time series. Mizzou has gone 2-10 in the last 30 years against OU, and just one of those wins came since [autotag]Bob Stoops[/autotag] took over in Norman in 1999.

Oklahoma and Missouri have played in some big clashes among some of their most recent matchups. They faced off twice in 2007. On both occasions, the Tigers were the No. 1 team in the country. The Sooners handed them their only loss of the regular season, 41-31, before meeting again in that season’s Big 12 championship game. OU once again knocked off the top-ranked team in the nation, denying Mizzou a berth in the national title game with a 38-17 rout.

The schools met again in the Big 12 title game in 2008. The Sooners once again rolled, 62-21. OU made the BCS national championship game that season behind Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford.

The most recent matchup came in 2011. Oklahoma was ranked atop the AP Poll when Missouri came to town. The Tigers jumped to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, before OU scored the game’s next 28 points. The Sooners were led by the offensive trio of [autotag]Ryan Broyles[/autotag], [autotag]Landry Jones[/autotag] and Dominique Whaley.

Broyles was magnificent in the game, catching 13 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while Jones threw for those three scores and 448 yards. Whaley had 150 all-purpose yards while touching the ball 21 times. Venables was serving as Stoops’ defensive coordinator at the time, and his defense snuffed out the Missouri attack after surrendering the two early scores.

The Sooners built a 31-14 lead and held off a rally by the Tigers to win 38-28. Oklahoma avenged the prior year’s loss against Missouri in the final meeting of the teams until this year. Mizzou joined the SEC in 2012, and with OU’s entry into the conference this season, they’ll pick up where they left off in 2024.

Kickoff in Columbia, Missouri, is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. and the game will carried on the SEC Network.

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Can this trio of freshmen help Oklahoma to victory against Maine?

Who are three freshmen to watch out for when the Sooners meet the Black Bears?

The Oklahoma Sooners will look to improve on their 4-4 record when they host the Maine Black Bears this weekend. OU has lost three straight games, but this week’s FCS opponent should provide a breather before a daunting final month of the regular season.

Oklahoma is still facing injury issues at key positions like wide receiver and offensive line, and an opponent like this one is a good opportunity to get some younger players in the action and see how they fare.

With the struggles of the Sooners offense this season, virtually nothing is certain. But if Oklahoma is able to get a big lead, Saturday might be a time to see some faces that haven’t been on the field much in 2024.

Here are three freshmen to watch for this week, as the Sooners take on the Black Bears.

1. Isaiah Autry-Dent, OL

Offensive lineman [autotag]Isaiah Autry-Dent[/autotag] is a guy that head coach Brent Venables has said will be “brought up” from the scout team this week. It’s an exciting opportunity for a young, talented prospect.

Oklahoma is facing injuries to offensive tackles Jake Taylor and Jacob Sexton, forcing even more shuffling from a unit that’s started seven different combinations in eight games. Taylor and Sexton aren’t the only players that are banged up, so this game presents a good opportunity for a player like Autry-Dent to show what he’s got.

2. Michael Boganowski, DB

Defensive back [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag] has been more of a special teams piece for the Oklahoma Sooners but has the ability to be a difference maker for the Sooners defense. He only saw four snaps against Ole Miss, according to Pro Football Focus, but as the Sooners continue to play around with some three-safety looks, he could see the field a lot this week.

Boganowski is part of a very talented and diverse group of true freshmen defensive backs that Oklahoma has at their disposal. He’s a thumper over the middle of the field. With more experience, he’ll become a dynamic part of the Sooners defense.

3. Jacob Jordan, WR

Two weeks ago, nobody thought wide receiver [autotag]Jacob Jordan[/autotag] would even see much of the field. Now, he’s arguably the top target in OU’s passing game, leading the wide receivers in catches and yards the last two weeks. He has 12 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown in just two games.

Jordan isn’t going to be confused for the most athletic guy on the field. But he catches the ball when it’s thrown his way, and he seems to get open a lot.

This week against Maine is a good opportunity for him to get a lot of snaps and continue to develop his chemistry with quarterback Jackson Arnold. In short order, the true freshman walk-on has become a reliable part of the Oklahoma Sooners offense.

The Sooners and the Black Bears will get going at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+ this Saturday, as OU looks to avoid a fourth-straight loss at get back over .500 on the 2024 season.

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+.