Tag: Xavier Worthy

3 Stars: Which Sooners shined brightest “deep in the heart of Texas?”

There were a litany of stand-out performances on Saturday for the Sooners, but which stars shined brightest “deep in the heart of Texas?”

If there was ever a game where individual performances reigned supreme, it was the 2021 edition of the Red River Showdown. The Sooners won an all-time classic in dramatic fashion over the Texas Longhorns 55-48. The ups and downs of the game were enough to make the most relaxed person stressed out. When the dust cleared, however, it was the Sooners who were on top.

For the Sooners, it was a team effort. However, several players rose to the occasion in the biggest game of the year (to date).

Third Star: Marvin Mims, Wide Receiver

Mims came into this season looking to cement himself as one of the nation’s best receivers. The first game against Tulane provided that glimpse of what he could be, but as the offense faltered and defenses started playing Oklahoma differently, his production declined.

Last week against Kansas State, Mims came up big with four catches for 96 yards. If that was him softly reminding us he was still capable, Saturday’s effort against Texas was him yelling at the nation, “I’m still that guy!”

Mims made play after play and had two huge catches down the field to help out his true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams. That doesn’t even include his touchdown catch that came after Williams fumbled a shotgun snap in the red zone.

Mims is the undisputed WR1 on this team, and he’s very much back to making explosive plays, which the Oklahoma offense has lacked in 2021.

Up Next: A Star Descends on the Cotton Bowl

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Studs and duds from Texas’ Red River Shootout loss to Oklahoma

New year, same Red River letdown.

New year, same Red River letdown.

Steve Sarkisian’s first season as the Texas head coach sure has shown him about the ups and downs. One week, 70 points wins you a game by 35, the next, a two-touchdown lead less than two minutes in leads to a loss.

From the beginning of the second half, it was a total letdown from the Longhorns. In every facet of the game, Oklahoma was the better side, especially the offensive end.

Both coaches will have positive and negative to address when resetting on Sunday. But Lincoln Riley won’t feel as bad, even with a newfound quarterback controversy on his hands.

Sarkisian, on the other hand, has some problems to address. Whether it’s the total shut down of the offense or the lack of shut down from the defense. Even special teams will be in Texas fan’s nightmares for years to come.

Here are the studs and duds from Texas’ shocking 52-45 loss to Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

RECAP: Oklahoma Sooners beat Texas Longhorns 55-48 in All-Time Red River Showdown

The Oklahoma Sooners overcame a 21 point deficit to beat the Texas Longhorns in an instant classic Red River Showdown.

The Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns finished an absolute shootout and all-time Red River Showdown ending with the Sooners winning 55-48. The game had so many ups and downs for both teams the winning probability chart most certainly looked like a roller coaster.

ESPN Win Probability Chart

Texas would get the ball first and would score on their first play from scrimmage as Casey Thompson threw a bubble screen to freshman wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Worthy would finish with nine catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma’s ensuing possession ended with a third-down sack due to a missed blitz pickup. Oklahoma would attempt to punt but Michael Turk’s attempt was tipped and Texas recovered on the Oklahoma two-yard line. Two plays later the 14 point lead.

The Sooners eventually overcame a 21-point deficit, matching the second-largest comeback in program history. Replacing Spencer Rattler in the second quarter after the starting quarterback’s second turnover of the game, Caleb Williams completed 15 of 24 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Both of Rattler’s turnovers led to led to Texas touchdowns. Caleb Williams also ran 66 yards for the Sooners second touchdown of the game.

Kennedy Brooks was at the forefront of the Sooners comeback as he ran for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 3 seconds left.

Marvin Mims led the Sooners in receiving for the second straight week posting five catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Longhorns quarterback Casey Thompson went 20 of 34 for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Bijan Robinson ran 20 times for 137 yards and one early touchdown.

Oklahoma moves on to 6-0 with TCU next on the agenda. Texas will drop to 4-2 and will move on to a home showdown with the other Big 12 school from Oklahoma in Oklahoma State.

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X marks the spot: Texas WR Xavier Worthy scores on the first play of the game against Oklahoma

WHAT. A. START.

What a way to start the game. Continue reading “X marks the spot: Texas WR Xavier Worthy scores on the first play of the game against Oklahoma”

The 3 defensive keys to a Sooners’ win at Red River

On Saturday, the Sooners will face their toughest test defensively of the season vs. the Longhorns. Here are 3 keys to slowing them down.

In two days, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will clash for the 117th time in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. Four of their last five meetings have been decided by a single score, and Saturday marks the fourth straight year that both teams take the field as nationally-ranked programs.

While Saturday’s meeting is unlikely to end in another quadruple overtime thriller, fans of both squads should be in for a treat in a battle of Big 12 unbeatens.

Texas enters Red River averaging 43 points per game. While perfectly capable, the Sooners will have their hands full corraling a potent offense featuring a dynamic rushing attack, a tandem of dynamite pass-catchers, and a dual-threat quarterback under center.

Here are OU’s three defensive keys to walking out of the cotton bowl with a win.

Up Next: Gotta Wrap Up!

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Threat Assessment: 4 dangerous Longhorns the Sooners will face in the Red River Showdown

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. A deep look at the Texas Longhorns before the Red River Showdown

As the Oklahoma Sooners get set for their Red River Showdown with the Texas Longhorns, they’ll look to extend their 13-game win streak that dates to last season. At 5-0 and the highest-ranked member of the Big 12, the Sooners come into this game as favorites, if by a small margin.

The Longhorns will have something to say about the outcome of this game; they boast talented players on both sides of the football.

To get you ready for the Red River Showdown, let’s take a look at the Texas Longhorns and four players the Oklahoma Sooners should be concerned with heading into Saturday’s matchup of top 25 teams.

Opponent

Texas Longhorns

Opponent Record

4-1 (2-0 Big 12).

All-time Series

Texas leads 62-49-5

Recent Trend

Oklahoma has won three straight. However, four of the last five meetings have been determined by a single score.

Threat Level (1-10): 8

Everything Steve Sarkisian said during Monday’s press conference

Offensive success, pending injuries, and kickoff times were all discussed.

There must not be a better feeling for Steve Sarkisian than walking into a Monday press conference off a win. Especially after dropping 70 points on Texas Tech in the Big 12 opener.

Sarkisian had a plethora of players to compliment after the 35-point win, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy were the main points of conversation.

Now, all attention is being shifted to Texas’ bogey team throughout the past nine seasons, TCU.

Gary Patterson has dominated the Longhorns since joining the Big 12 back in 2019, winning seven of nine. The losses have come in heartbreaking fashion, with a two-point loss from last year and in 43 point thumpings in 2015.

Luckily, Sarkisian and his staff are 0-0 and will be looking to turn around the losing trend. Continuing to prepare the same way will be a big point of emphasis. Nothing should change just because TCU is on the schedule.

Injuries heading into the week and kickoff times were discussed by the head coach as well. Check out everything Sarkisian said during Monday’s press conference here.

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Texas WR Xavier Worthy is 247Sports’ True Freshman of the Week

Well deserved!

One of the biggest recruiting wins for Steve Sarkisian throughout his brief stint at Texas thus far was bringing in Michigan signee Xavier Worthy. Continue reading “Texas WR Xavier Worthy is 247Sports’ True Freshman of the Week”

Texas Report Card: PFF grades from the Texas Tech game

Which Longhorns graded well?

Texas’ offense was unstoppable against Texas Tech in Week 4. Continue reading “Texas Report Card: PFF grades from the Texas Tech game”

Texas Football: Six notes on the initial depth chart for Louisiana

Shortly after Steve Sarkisian’s press conference, the depth chart was released by Texas. Here are six notes on the initial three deep.

Steve Sarkisian’s first game week press conference was on Monday where Hudson Card was officially named the starting quarterback. Shortly after, the entire depth chart was released by Texas.

There were few surprises from the top to bottom. Since the Longhorns are returning a lot of talent from last season, many of the starters from last season will play similar roles.

Here is the full depth chart:

At the end of the day, the depth chart released could be completely different from what Sarkisian and his staff end up doing. In-game adjustments could be made based on matchups or a player could prove he has earned playing time throughout the practice week.

Until Saturday, all we have is a three-deep roster at all 29 positions listed. Sarkisian has proven via the quarterback battle he is going to play something closer to his chest.

Here are six notes on Texas’ initial depth chart for Saturday’s matchup against Louisiana: