The Ugly – Offensive Line Performance Reveals Deeper Issues
The Oklahoma Sooners have been dealing with a lot of injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Offensive line was dinged up through fall camp and into the season. But since the Auburn game, that unit has had all the pieces it expected to have in their starting lineup for 2024 and it hasn’t gotten any better.
Going into the game against South Carolina, you knew it was going to be tough. The Gamecocks were No. 10 in the nation in sacks per game and boasted arguably the best defensive end duo in the nation with Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart. Not only was it a tough matchup, but it was a nightmare.
The nine sacks allowed were a school record by Oklahoma. The Gamecocks had nine different players record a sack in the game.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Gamecocks recorded 26 total pressures. Michael Hawkins was pressured on 67% of his dropbacks and Jackson Arnold was pressured 34% of the time. Watching the game, it felt like Arnold was under pressure a lot more.
On a day when the run game was arguably the most efficient it has been all season, the Sooners couldn’t protect either quarterback. All three of the turnovers to open the game were because Michael Hawkins Jr. was under duress. That put the Sooners in a 21-0 hole that they couldn’t climb out of and in a hole that they couldn’t lean on the running game more.
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh has work to do to get the Sooners gelling up front. The transfer portal additions haven’t worked out like anyone hoped they would and the blue chip prospects up front haven’t risen to the occasion.
If you can’t protect the quarterback in the SEC, you’re going to have some long days. Oklahoma will have to make some significant splashes along the offensive line in the transfer portal this offseason to be in a better spot for 2025.
More: 5 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners loss to South Carolina