Tag: Tanner Mordecai

Every Oklahoma Sooner added/subtracted through the transfer portal

A look at each player the Oklahoma Sooners added or lost through the transfer portal for 2021.

The transfer portal has become free agency for college football. Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley has added quite a bit to the team through the portal and lost his fair share as well. After added six players for the 2021 season via the transfer portal, they only signed a total of 16 players through recruiting.

With the one-time transfer rule being put in place, there will be plenty more where that came from. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a lot of these recruits signed their letters of intent without seeing the campus or even having a face-to-face meeting with their new coaches. We could see an even larger rise in players entering the portal to find where they believe to fit best.

A full list of every player the Oklahoma Sooners added or lost through the transfer portal ahead of the 2021 college football season.

(not pictured) the team added Josh Plaster. A punter from Arizona State. 

Current and former Sooners make list for most impactful transfers

A look at which current and former Oklahoma Sooners will have huge impacts following their transfer.

The transfer portal is a huge part of the game of college football, and college basketball for that matter. The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to this as they have seen many players come and go in both sports. Continue reading “Current and former Sooners make list for most impactful transfers”

Former Oklahoma QB Tanner Mordecai will transfer to SMU

After entering the transfer portal on Sunday, former Oklahoma quarterback Tanner Mordecai will transfer to SMU.

One of the Oklahoma players who has announced his intention to transfer has already found a new home.

It was reported on Sunday that backup quarterback Tanner Mordecai had entered the transfer portal, and now on Tuesday Sooners Wire is reporting that he will head down south to join SMU.

In sporadic playing time over the last three years, Mordecai completed 50 of his 70 career passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns. Head coach Lincoln Riley had stressed in the weeks leading up to the season that he felt comfortable should he be the starter and that it was a legitimate competition for the starting role, but Spencer Rattler did end up getting the nod as expected.

The Mustangs have gone down a similar road before with their quarterback for the past two seasons being Texas transfer Shane Buechele. It will be interesting to now see how quickly Mordecai can get into the fold in Dallas and hope to earn the starting role there.

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Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners: Final Recap and highlights from 4OT loss

The Texas Longhorns made a ferocious comeback to get back into the game. The Longhorns just couldn’t make enough plays as they fall 53-45.

The final quarter opened with the Texas Longhorns defense forcing the Oklahoma Sooners into a punt to get the offense back on the field. After Sam Ehlinger missed Tarik Black for a deep shot down the seam, the Longhorns would hand the ball right back to Lincoln Riley and his offense down 14.

The offense for Sooners began to pound the Longhorns defense by running the ball. T.J. Pledger and Spencer Rattler combining to get the Oklahoma offense into Texas territory. The defense was finally able to get to the quarterback on their first pass attempt, Alfred Collins was able to get to Rattler for the sack.

Following a punt downed inside the 10-yard line, it was up to Ehlinger to get this football team back in the game with under eight minutes to go down by 14. Facing a third down, Ehlinger had to use his legs to keep the drive going for the Longhorns. After a review, the moved the ball back for a forth and short. With the game on the line Ehlinger runs up the middle for a first down.

Facing another third down and short, Ehlinger finds Bijan Robinson out of the backfield for a long catch and run. After finding some success going up tempo, Ehlinger throws a deep shot in the end zone that was picked off. Woody Washington climbed the ladder to take it away from Joshua Moore. With 5:02 left in the game, the chances for Texas were running low.

After holding Oklahoma  on offense, the Longhorns got the ball back with a short field. Ehlinger led the team back down the field and found Joshua Moore to get this game within one score 31-24. With no timeouts left, Cameron Dicker onside kick was perfect but the Longhorns couldn’t get the ball before it went out of bounds.

Facing a third down and nine, Spencer Rattler needed a first down seal this game. An incompletion  gives the Longhorns the ball with about two minutes left in the game down a touchdown. The Sooners helped Texas by throwing the ball with no timeouts.

With 1:52 and no timeouts, Ehlinger looking to bring Texas back in this game. After a holding penalty gave the Longhorns a first down, Ehlinger used his legs on a 18-yard run to get close to midfield. A hold on Christian Jones put Texas on first and 20. After a 19-yard catch by Moore, the Longhorns get a first on a Keaontay Ingram run.

Sam Ehlinger found Ingram  in the flat all alone for a touchdown. Texas ties the game with 14 seconds left on the clock.

For the second time this year, Texas forces overtime after trailing late in the fourth quarter. Texas would get the ball first in overtime. On third down to extend the drive, Ehlinger finds Jordan Whittington on a 13-yard reception to extend their initial drive of overtime. Ehlinger converted a first down on a run then on the next play runs it in for the lead.

Rattler did his best Sam Ehlinger as he ran the ball on back to back plays to extend their drive. Oklahoma needing a touchdown to force a second overtime against Texas. The Sooners were able to answer when Rattler found Austin Stogner in the endzone. These two teams would head to yet another overtime.

After a big catch and run from Stogner, the Sooners were inside the five. After two incompletions, it was third and goal for Oklahoma. Rattler ran it up the middle for touchdown that would require a review. He was ruled down short of the goal line. On fourth down Rattler punches it in for the 45-38 lead. Ehlinger answers right back on a long run to tie it again.

It would go to a third overtime. Ehlinger faced a third and 10 on their possession. He would get taken down before reaching the line of scrimmage. Cameron Dicker’s attempt would be blocked. All Oklahoma needed was a field goal to win it.

The Sooners knowing they didn’t need much, were able to run the ball on the Longhorns defense. After a first down run, the Sooners sent their kicker Gabe Brkic onto the field for the game winner. He shanked the kick wide left to force another overtime.

On the opening play of the forth overtime, Rattler finds Drake Stoops for the go ahead touchdown. Sooners would have to go for two which was converted. The Texas offense would need to answer in order to get to a fifth overtime.

After finding Whittington, Bijan powers through the line for a first down run. Another penalty on the offensive line pushes Texas back to the 19-yard line on first and goal. After an incomplete pass, on the second down throws an interception to end the game.

Final Game Stats:

Ehinger 30/53 287 yards 2 TDs 2 INTs

Ehlinger 23 carries 112 yards 4 TDs

Joshua Moore 8 receptions 83 yards 1 TD

Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners: Third quarter recap

The Oklahoma Sooners outscored the Texas Longhorns 14-0 in the third quarter. Heading into the final stretch, Texas trails 31-14.

The Texas Longhorns start off their second half at the 25-yard line after a touchback. Bijan Robinson was the running back on the field to start the third quarter. After another mental error on the field with a block in the back by Brennan Eagles backs Texas up. Then a sack put Texas facing a third down and 22. The Longhorns would have to punt the ball back to Oklahoma immediately.

A huge return by Marvin Mims into Texas territory set the Sooners up with great field position. Ryan Bujcevski gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct to tack on. Oklahoma and Spencer Rattler started in the redzone. After a long catch and run to T.J. Pleger to get to the two-yard line. He punches it in on the next play as Oklahoma retakes the lead. 24-17.

It was announced by Craig Way that Roschon Johnson was suffering from a shoulder injury and would not return to the game.

After another sack of Sam Ehlinger, the Sooners defense was able to the Texas short of the line to gain. Texas needed to answer and ended up punting it back to Oklahoma with 9:48 left in the third quarter. The Sooners didn’t have issue moving the football against the Longhorns defense.

The Longhorns inability to get any pass rush push up front allowed Oklahoma to get into Texas territory.The defense looked absolutely gassed as the third quarter winded down. After a long run by Rattler, the Sooners were back in the redzone once again. Pledger once again punches the ball in. Oklahoma went 87-yards on a drive that ate up eight minutes. With 1:27 left in the quarter, Sooners led 31-17.

The Texas Longhorns offense goes three and out once again. On the third and one play, Ehlinger overthrew Bijan Robinson on a deep route to force the punt once again. The fourth quarter came to a close with Oklahoma driving once again.

Stats through three quarters

Ehlinger 15/27, 145 yards

Ehinger 10 carries, 13 yards, 2 TDs

Jordan Whittington 5 receptions, 38 yards

Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners: Halftime recap and highlights

The Texas Longhorns came firing back in the second quarter to tie the game up at halftime. Sam Ehlinger rushes for two touchdowns.

The Longhorns open the third quarter deep in Oklahoma territory. After being backed up on a third and 16 from the Sooners 17-yard line, Sam Ehlinger rushed down to the marker. However, he was short on the play and a bonehead play by Derek Kerstetter moved Texas back for a Cameron Dicker field goal to cut the lead to 10-3.

Oklahoma would get the ball looking to answer but Spencer Rattler turned the ball over once again on a fumble. Oklahoma once again having issues with protecting the football. Turnovers late have cost the Sooners the last two weeks and is rearing it’s ugly head once again.

The Longhorns would answer once again. After a pass interference on Oklahoma where Ehlinger was looking to throw a touchdown to Cade Brewer, Sam would run it in. The Longhorns tied up the game 10-10 with 11:44 to go in the second quarter.

For the third consecutive drive, the Sooners turn over the football. On a long run by T.J. Pledger, Joseph Ossai punches it out. In the scrum that ensued, the Longhorns jumped on the football. The Longhorns in business once again after falling down 10-0 in the first quarter.

Following a quick three and out, the Sooners block a punt to start within the redzone. The Sooners were able to drive right down on a short field for the go-ahead touchdown run. Tanner Mordecai started his second-straight drive after Spencer Rattler went out with an injury.

The Longhorns were able to drive the field for the first time in the game. After long throw and catch to Tarik Black, the offense got into the redzone. After a pass interference on Trey Brown, Sam Ehlinger powers it in again for the touchdown. The Longhorns tied it back up at 17 with 4:14 to go.

Mordecai stayed in the game for the Sooners as they tried to answer the Longhorns again. After a circus catch from Charleston Rambo, the Sooners had back to back bad plays that put them at third and 16. Mordecai air mails a pass and the Sooners punted the ball back to the Longhorns at the Texas 45.

Facing a third and nine, Ehlinger performed some magic in the pocket to avoid multiple tackle attempts. He would find Joshua Moore who extended the drive with a great effort to avoid a tackle. Facing another third down and two, an incompletion to Marcus Washington forced a fourth down decision. Once again the undisciplined play by Texas with a false start forces a punt.

Texas and Oklahoma head to the locker rooms all tied up at 17.

First Half Stats

Ehlinger 12/23 123 yards

Ehlinger 7 carries, 23 yards, 2 TDs

Jordan Whittington 5 receptions 38 yards

Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler replaced by Tanner Mordecai, got shoulder checked out

Spencer Rattler checked out of the game early in the second quarter in favor of Tanner Mordecia with an apparent shoulder injury.

The 2020 edition of the Red River Showdown has certainly not disappointed in terms of excitement, and things just got even weirder.

The teams have combined for four turnovers so far, but the biggest surprise of all has been Tanner Mordecai taking over at quarterback after just four drives. Mordecai checked in following a pair of consecutive turnovers by Rattler.

Spencer Rattler checked out of the game early in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury. He was being checked out initially, but has not been meeting with medical personnel for the past few possessions.

Rattler is 8-13 with 74 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a fumble so far. Mordecai has started strong, going 4-4 for 40 yards.

It’s unclear at this time whether the decision is entirely based on Rattler’s health, entirely based on Rattler’s play, or a possible mixture of both. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.

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Lincoln Riley taking different approaches with QBs

Lincoln Riley taking different approaches with QBs

Lincoln Riley’s newest quarterback project has emerged.

On Tuesday, Riley announced that redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler will be taking over the reigns as the Sooners’ newest quarterback.

Rattler, a former five-star recruit out of Arizona, was one of Oklahoma’s highest rated recruits ever.

Despite his talent, his skillset differs from the past few quarterbacks Riley has coached.

“I think I always coach them different.” Riley said on Thursday. “I think you coach the guys that you have and every player that you have in there is going to have different strengths, weaknesses, experience levels. I have said this many times about this group, you kind of have two levels of experience. You have got on the field, game experience. Then you’ve got experience level within our system, running our plays. It’s kind of varied levels all over as you mention.”

Rattler beat out Tanner Mordecai for the starting spot. Riley mentioned earlier in the week that Mordecai unfortunately missed a majority of preseason camp.

Even on his current roster, Riley has differing skillsets among his quarterbacks. Rattler is a dual-threat QB, and Mordecai more on the pro-style side.

“I think guys learn differently. Guys need different things. Guys have different strengths and weaknesses. As far as expectations different, no.” Riley said. “These guys are more than capable of running this offense and playing the position we expect it to be played. I think they’re going to do some really good things. I think we’ve got good players around them. Our expectations for how they play and for how our offense plays has certainly not changed.”

The Sooners open their season with Missouri State on Sept. 12.

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Monday Big 12 Morning Rush: Another Schooler in the conference

The latest Big 12 morning rush features stories regarding the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Oklahoma Sooners and Iowa State Cyclones.

A new week has begun as we inch closer to the season. Longhorns Wire scoured the web for the top stories from around the Big 12 Conference for the Monday morning rush. Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Iowa State provide the headlines.

Continue reading “Monday Big 12 Morning Rush: Another Schooler in the conference”

Oklahoma’s battle between Spencer Rattler, Tanner Mordecai anything but normal

Lincoln Riley has yet to announce his starting quarterback for 2020, a sentence that likely seems all to familiar for OU fans.

Oklahoma’s season opener is now just two weeks away. Amidst the many, many question marks still surrounding the upcoming season, OU still has one big one at the top of its depth chart.

Lincoln Riley has yet to announce his starting quarterback for 2020, a sentence that likely seems all to familiar for OU fans. This will be Riley’s third straight season starting a fresh face under center, each decision seemingly taking longer than the last,

Of course, everything going on right now has only served to further complicate the process.

“I’ll say this: I think it’s been a little bit more difficult to look back and say, ‘Well, this has kind of typically been our drop dead date,’” Riley said in a zoom press conference last Wednesday. “And I do think that’s been when you’ve had a normal three-game, non-conference schedule, a normal camp, a normal spring. I mean, this situation’s so different that I’m trying not to look too much into the past and really look more at this situation right here.”

Fortunately for Riley, there’s not really a wrong choice. Both redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler and redshirt sophomore Tanner Mordecai have a lot to offer.

“It’s been very positive with those two guys,” Riley said. “Trying to weigh two things as we go through it. I think the first is just obviously how these guys are continuing to perform, just how they’re leading the groups, probably the more normal stuff, and then also trying to gauge how abnormal this entire process has been and the fact that, you know, you play one non-conference game and then you’ve got a bye week and then you’re into the conference schedule.”

Read our 2020 QB Preview for more.

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