The Oklahoma Sooners started their season off with a bang after a dominating performance versus the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The offense, defense and special teams all got into the action and contributed to the 73-0 win.
When you score 73 points, typically everything is about the offense but the defense deserves its flowers. The defense pitched its fourth shutout in the last 10 years and only the second shutout versus a Division I opponent.
Danny Stutsman told reporters after the game, while the Sooners got off to a hot start a year ago, this year feels different. “We have 63 new guys,” Stutsman said. “We have a new team, a whole new atmosphere, a new everything and just the way we came out there, last year UTEP scored and I think we pitched a shutout so obviously something changed.”
The team looked more comfortable, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The were sure of themselves, which helped them fly around. Stutsman said this is step one in putting last year behind them.
“The standard doesn’t change for Oklahoma,” Stutsman said. “I think year in and year out the standard is conference championship and then play for the College Football Playoff, then keep going from there. I think that’s what it is regardless of a 6-7 season last year and being team 129 this year.”
The players and coaches know the standard. The players before them set that standard. It’s now up to them to defend it. Team 129 is off to a great start.
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