The Oklahoma Sooners defense is looking like a totally different unit after their 20-6 win over Cincinnati. It feels fairly safe to say that the defense is back.
Oklahoma took on a top-10 rushing offense and held them to less than four yards per carry. They faced a mobile quarterback, one that’s shown a propensity for beating teams with his legs and held him to less than three yards per carry.
It’s a unit that’s improved dramatically from a year ago when they were one of the 20 worst defenses in college football.
In the post-game media scrum, Brent Venables mentioned several returning players who have shown improvement from last year. Guys like [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], [autotag]Isaiah Coe[/autotag], [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Stripling[/autotag], and [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag]. But it was in response to a question about [autotag]Key Lawrence[/autotag].
Lawrence looks like a player in the midst of a breakout season. He’s recorded two interceptions in as many games and forced turnovers in three straight.
His interception in the second quarter shut down a Cincinnati drive that put them in scoring range. In a game where points were at a premium, Lawrence’s play took 3-7 points off the board for the Bearcats.
1. Key Lawrence notched Oklahoma's sixth interception in two games.
2. The Sooners have allowed just 31 points scored all year.
3. Don't mind Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/Uj9TEFfPaZ
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) September 23, 2023
According to Pro Football Focus, Lawrence was the Oklahoma Sooners’ highest-graded defender in the win. And [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has seen the improvement.
“He’s made great improvement, and he’s matured a great deal,” Sooners head coach Brent Venables had to say after the win. “He’s always been an incredibly likable guy. And from a competitive standpoint and a leadership standpoint. And being inside out is where I’ve seen the most growth. His knowledge base has certainly improved. His fundamentals have improved. He’s become a really good leader and great teammate. He lets you coach him hard. And he’s really made a lot of improvement, a lot of growth.”
In a deep and talented safety group, Lawrence has stood out, fulfilling the promise he showed toward the end of the 2021 season when he was forcing fumbles and laying big hits in a win over Iowa State.
That was his first year at Oklahoma.
Not long after a fantastic performance against the Cyclones, the coaching change happened. In came Brent Venables and a new system. 2022 was Lawrence’s third straight season in a new system.
Last season was a learning experience for a lot of guys on the defense. Learning Venables defense and then learning how to win. They learned some hard lessons, but everything that happened last season is helping fuel the Sooners’ defense in 2023.
“We didn’t forget nothing,” Lawrence said in his post-game interview. “We know everything that’s coming. We know nothing’s going to be handed to us. Winning is not easy because everyone would be undefeated if that was the case. So we’ve just got to understand we’re hungry. We know what we want to do. We know what we gotta do to get there, and we’re going to keep our head down and keep working.”
Key Lawrence has been a critical piece for the Oklahoma Sooners defense in 2023. He’s recorded 14 total tackles, a tackle for loss, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Quarterbacks are recording a 42.4 passer rating when targeting Lawrence in the passing game.
He and the Oklahoma Sooners defense are having a fantastic season through four games. But more challenges lie ahead. And in his own words, Lawrence and the Sooners know what they have to do to get where they want to go.
How are they celebrating?
“Keeping our head down and keep working.”
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