Columns – Soonerguys

Venables has righted the Sooner ship

Published on November 26, 2023 by Mike

There was disappointment for Sooner fans when BYU flirted with an upset of Oklahoma State on Saturday, only to see the Cowboys eek out a 2 overtime win and secure their spot in the Big 12 championship — the spot Oklahoma would have had but for a blown officials call in Bedlam.

But this week also brought a sense of satisfaction for the Sooner faithful, as all right minded fans concluded that Coach Brent Venables has indeed righted the ship, capping a successful 10-win season with a 69-45 shoot out over TCU on Friday and giving the program its 700th win.

Job well done, Coach Venables. Now, to make bowl plans.

But, almost as if to remind us that this remains a program in progress — even after 12 football games played — the final Big 12 game in Norman saw the specter of a leaky defense, allowing the Horned Frogs, down 42-16 at the half, to score 29 points in the second half.

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Dave: OU fans getting a taste of the future

Published on November 22, 2023 by Dave

Sooner fans got a taste of the future at quarterback last week against BYU. And this wasn’t during mop
up duty of a blowout. The game was most definitely in the balance.

And I think the future looks bright.

Former 5-star Jackson Arnold used his rocket arm and his fleet feet to close out Oklahoma’s victory after
Dillion Gabriel was unable to play the second half due to an undisclosed injury.

Arnold did miss an open Nic Anderson on a streak route down the sideline but made up for it when he audibled to a slant for Jalil Farooq that got the first down to end the game.

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Arnold steps up to guide Sooners to 31-24 win over Cougars in last Big 12 road trip

Published on November 18, 2023 by Mike

Playing without starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the second half, the No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners managed a 31-24 win on a slippery Provo, Utah football field over a scrappy BYU Cougars on Saturday.

Backup freshman QB Jackson Arnold — a heralded recruit seen to be a future star in Norman — saw his most playing time, leading the Sooners after Gabriel was sidelined with a concussion sustained right before halftime.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby turned to the Sooners run game, both to ease the pressure on the freshman QB but also to capitalize on a BYU weakness. Gavin Sawchuk had the go-ahead touchdown run in the fourth quarter and led Sooner rushers with 104 yards on 14 carries. Arnold carried the ball eight times for 24 yards.

But a late 3rd down conversion with 2:05 left in the game, with Arnold zipping a slant pass to junior receiver Jalil Farooq, sealed the game. Farooq led the Sooners receivers with five catches and 53 yards.

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