Tag: Rhamondre Stevenson

Lincoln Riley says Shane Beamer will ‘take a bigger role with special teams’

Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.

Lincoln Riley named Shane Beamer his special teams coordinator at his press conference on Wednesday.

The vacancy came open due to Jay Boulware’s departure to Texas. Boulware spent seven seasons with the Sooners, acting as Oklahoma’s running backs and special teams coach.

Riley has not given the special teams coaching role to anyone yet. Along with Beamer, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning has spent time coaching special teams in his lone season at UCLA. New running backs coach DeMarco Murray also returned kickoffs for Oklahoma during his playing days starring for the Sooners.

Beamer was initially hired on as Oklahoma’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach in 2018. He spent the previous year as the tight ends and special teams coach for Georgia. Before that he had stints at South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

Demarco Murray replaced Boulware as the Sooners running backs coach.

The Sooners begin spring practice on March 10, and will play their annual Spring Game on April 18. Their first game of the 2020 season will be against Missouri State on Sep. 5.

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Oklahoma plans to begin spring practice prior to spring break

Lincoln Riley announced at his Wednesday press conference that Oklahoma football will begin spring practice on March 10.

Lincoln Riley announced at his Wednesday press conference that Oklahoma football will begin spring practice prior to spring break.

The University of Oklahoma’s spring break commences on March 14 and lasts through March 22.

A lot is up in the air with this Sooners team, but one thing is certain—there will assuredly be a quarterback battle. This year’s contest features freshman Spencer Rattler and junior Tanner Mordecai. While Mordecai saw a majority of the backup role behind Jalen Hurts last season, Riley opted to go with Rattler at the end of the game in last year’s loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl. Both have plenty of arm talent.

This will be Alex Grinch’s second spring season with the Sooners. After losing several key players to the NFL draft, including linebacker Kenneth Murray and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, a lot is left to be desired for Oklahoma’s defense. With a full season under his belt at Oklahoma, Grinch should continue to help the unit improve.

Oklahoma’s spring game will kick off on April 18. The time has not been announced.

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Lincoln Riley provides no update on suspended players, says ‘process is ongoing’

Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing Jamar Cain and DeMarco Murray.

Lincoln Riley gave a post-signing day press conference prior to introducing outside linebackers/defensive ends coach Jamar Cain and running backs coach DeMarco Murray.

Prior to the Peach Bowl, Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Trejan Bridges were all suspended for failing an NCAA drug test. The trio was suspended for the Peach Bowl and the national championship game if the Sooners would have made it that far.

NCAA rules state that a player failing a drug test must sit out for half the regular season, regardless of the sport. With the trio already serving one game, that leaves five games for them left to serve if their appeals do not lessen the punishment.

Looking forward, Oklahoma opens the season against Missouri State on Sept. 5. The Sooners play host to Tennessee before playing against Army on the road following a BYE week. To open Big 12 play, Oklahoma squares off against Baylor and Texas in their first two conference games.

If the appeals process does not pan out for the trio, they will not be available to play until Oct. 17 when the Sooners head to Ames, Iowa in Week 7.

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Lincoln Riley confirms Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, Trejan Bridges will not play in College Football Playoff

Oklahoma will in fact be without three players for the College Football Playoff at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against LSU. 

Oklahoma will in fact be without three players for the College Football Playoff at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against LSU.

It was reported on Dec. 18 that Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson and Trejan Bridges would miss the game due to a suspension. Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley confirmed Monday at his initial Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl press conference that the three won’t play in the game.

Perkins finished the year as one of Oklahoma’s premier defensive linemen, accounting for 28 solo tackles, 13.5 of which were for loss, and six sacks. He finished with 38 tackles in total for the year.

In total, Stevenson carried the rock 65 times for 516 yards for the Sooners, an average of 7.9 yards per carry. He was a solid backup to Kennedy Brooks, and had just began to find his groove, rushing for 16.7 yard per carry against Oklahoma State and 6.0 yards per carry with a touchdown in the game against Baylor in the Big 12 title game.

Just one of the five-star 2019 receiver trio for the Sooners, Bridges was a special teams mainstay for Oklahoma, but showed flashes at the Z-Receiver position. The highlight of his season came against South Dakota when he recorded 3 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. His last catch was a 7-yard touchdown reception against Iowa State.

Here is what those guys absence means for Oklahoma.

The Sooners and LSU will kickoff the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl from Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.

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Oklahoma players suspended for failing NCAA drug test caused by ‘weed’, per report

The reasoning behind the suspension of Oklahoma players for the Peach Bowl has surfaced. It is due to a failed NCAA drug test for ‘weed.’

The Franchise Sports radio station (107.7 FM in Oklahoma City, 107.9 FM in Tulsa) provided audio to SoonersWire for this story. 

The reasoning behind the suspension of three Oklahoma players for the Peach Bowl has surfaced.

Earlier Wednesday, it was reported by SoonerScoop.com that star defensive Ronnie Perkins, backup running back Rhamondre Stevenson and true freshman Trejan Bridges would be suspended for the Sooners’ upcoming College Football Playoff bout against LSU.

Nov 23, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins (7) reacts during the fourth quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Soon after the first report, former Oklahoma player, current Oklahoma sideline reporter for the SoonerSports network and co-host of The Franchise Players radio show (107.7 FM The Franchise sports radio station in Oklahoma City, 107.9 FM in Tulsa), Gabe Ikard, said that the suspensions come from failing an NCAA drug test for weed.

“Do we know what the suspension is for?” co-host and former Oklahoma player Kelly Gregg asked.

“Weed,” Ikard said.

“Recreational?” Kelly asked.

“Recreational. Not PEDs from what I’ve been told,” Ikard answered.

According to Ikard, Oklahoma is appealing the suspension.

Here is what the NCAA rule states as a penalty for failing an NCAA drug test  due to a substance in the cannabinoid class:

The penalty for a positive test for a substance in the cannabinoid class is withholding from competition for 50% of the season in all sports in which the student-athlete participates. A second positive test for a cannabinoid results in the loss of a year of eligibility and withholding from participation for 365 days from the test.

Here is what the NCAA rules on the appeals process states:

When asked about the suspension at Wednesday’s national signing day press conference, head coach Lincoln Riley said he could not comment on that “at this time”.

Riley also said he would comment “when he can”.

Oklahoma and LSU will play in the College Football Playoff at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 28.

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Ronnie Perkins, Rhamondre Stevenson, Trejan Bridges will be suspended for the Peach Bowl, according to report

Oklahoma will be without three key players for its College Football Playoff game at the Peach Bowl against LSU due to suspensions.

Oklahoma will be without three key players for its College Football Playoff game at the Peach Bowl against LSU.

Sophomore defensive end Ronnie Perkins, junior running back Rhamondre Stevenson and true freshman receiver Trejan Bridges will be suspended for the game, according to a report from SoonerScoop.com.

Perkins has been one of Oklahoma’s best defensive players this season. He has 38 tackles on the season through 12 games, including 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks.

Stevenson has come on as of late for Lincoln Riley’s offense. He had 50 yards on three carries against Oklahoma State two games ago, then the second-most carries of his season against Baylor in the Big 12 Championship with eight for 48 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson was Kennedy Brooks’ backup after the injury to Trey Sermon earlier in the season.

Bridges has had an up-and-down year in a backup role. He has played for the majority of the season on special teams, but is behind Charleston Rambo on the offense. Bridges was a five-star prospect out of high school.

When asked about it at his signing day press conference, Riley would not comment on the matter.

Riley will not speak to the media again until Oklahoma touches down at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. His first press conference will be on Monday.

Oklahoma and LSU will play each other at the College Football Playoff on Dec. 28 in Atlanta.

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Three reasons why Oklahoma beat Baylor 30-23 in overtime

Oklahoma claimed their fifth Big 12 title in a 30-23 overtime thriller versus Baylor. Here are three reason why the Sooners came away with the victory. 

Oklahoma claimed their fifth Big 12 title in a 30-23 overtime thriller versus Baylor. Here are three reason why the Sooners came away with the victory.

Cee. Dee. Lamb.

Quite simply, CeeDee Lamb was the best player on the football field today. While Baylor’s James Lynch gave him a run for his money, Lamb put together one of the best performances of his illustrious career as a Sooner. He finished with 8 catches for 173 yards. Not only was his production their, it was timely. He consistently made plays when the Sooners needed it, right down to the facemask he got in overtime to set up the winning score. He had a phenomenal game in last year’s Big 12 Championship and this year was no difference. Lamb earned player of the game.

1a. Alex Grinch 1b. The Defense

Alex Grinch’s Speed D held the Bears to 265 yards on the day, and totaled six sacks. They had pass breakup after pass breakup, and outside of two big throw’s from Jacob Zeno, they played a great game. They allowed only 16 point in a scoreless first quarter, and came up with a big stop in overtime to seal the deal.

Winning on the Ground

The Sooners rushed for 146 yards on the ground to Baylor’s 35, a testament to both Oklahoma’s run-stop and ground-game. Their rushing attack wasn’t up to par with the rest of their season, but they still had nearly 150 yards rushing. Kennedy Brooks finished with 59 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown, and Rhamondre Stevenson ran for 48 yards and 8 carries with a touchdown. John Lovett finished as Baylor’s leading rusher with 3 carries for 19 yards, followed by Gerry Bohanan who ran it nine times for 15 yards. 

How Oklahoma wins, loses against Baylor

No. 10 Oklahoma versus No. 13 Baylor. Playoff aspirations are on the line in Waco, Texas this weekend. 

No. 10 Oklahoma versus No. 13 Baylor.

Playoff aspirations are on the line in Waco, Texas this weekend.

OKLAHOMA WINS IF…

… Jalen Hurts does Jalen Hurts things. Last week, Hurts did not look like himself, throwing a, interception on a throw that even a freshman high school quarterback probably would not have forced. This week should be different. An atmosphere as similar to an SEC game as a Big 12 game can get and with implications that Hurts is familiar with, Hurts should be comfortable in the spotlight. Against Iowa State, Hurts was caught off guard with the pressure. If Hurts knows the stakes coming into a game, history favors him playing well.

… they run the ball. It sounds simple but it has been such a problem for the Sooners recently. Establishing the run with an offensive line that has been somewhat subpar so far this season will have to be a necessity Saturday night. With Trey Sermon out for the season and Rhamondre Stevenson limping around the field last week, Oklahoma’s running backs room is wounded but not all the way out. Running the ball with players other than Jalen Hurts will have to happen if the Sooners want to walk away with the win.

… the defense steps up. I know, I know I’m beating a dead horse. But the Oklahoma defense has to show some signs of life following two straight games of nearly flatlining. It will be a tall task but the defense has an opportunity to show the nation that the Sooners should still have a shot at making the playoff.

OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…

… Jalen Hurts lays an egg. Although Hurts has played in regular season games with similar postseason implications, Waco at night is different. Baylor will play with nothing to lose unlike teams Hurts faced while at Alabama. With the Bears lined up across from him, the chances Hurts folds are just as high as him deciding to run on a pass play.

… Lincoln Riley fails to establish the run. Bad things can happen and happen quickly if the offense cannot gain decent yardage on the ground.

… Alex Grinch’s defense fails to make the trip to Waco. If the Sooners look anything like they did the past two games on the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma may be in trouble.

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