The Ugly: The Running Game
A few weeks ago, the Texas Tech Red Raiders allowed TCU to rush for more than 300 yards and more than 10 yards per carry between Zach Evans and Kendre Miller. It was an area the Oklahoma Sooners should have been able to exploit this week. However, that was not the case.
Oklahoma’s rushing attack accounted for 29 yards on 13 carries in the first three quarters of the game. That doesn’t include the six-yard loss on the first-quarter sack of Caleb Williams.
The Oklahoma Sooners averaged 2.23 yards per attempt in the first three quarters of the game. Though it was clear that Lincoln Riley came into this game hoping to attack down the field, there’s no doubt he would have run the ball more had the running game been working.
On Saturday, it simply didn’t.
Oklahoma’s offensive line struggled to get much of a push as holes for Kennedy Brooks often disappeared in a hurry. The running was better in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. In the final frame, Oklahoma averaged 6.71 yards per carry.
Though it was better in the fourth, it doesn’t negate their inability to run the ball effectively through the first three quarters. With the best defenses on their schedule still to come in Baylor, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State, the Sooners need to find some consistency in the running game to take some pressure off Caleb Williams.
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