Balanced and (maybe too) fast offense marks opening game; Kent State to bring it’s own “Flash”
All in all it was a pretty successful debut for new Sooner head coach Brent Venables last Saturday.
They took care of UTEP in convincing if not spectacular fashion.
The offense was balanced and fast. Boy were they fast. Maybe too fast? The time of possession could be a little concerning.
The Sooners possessed the ball just 21 minutes and 27 seconds versus UTEP who held the ball 38 minutes and 33 seconds.
OU v Kent State Kickoff: 6 pm Saturday
Of course it didn’t matter because Oklahoma was up 21-0 in the first quarter, averaging just over one minute and 10 seconds for each of those three touchdowns.
The Miners tried to control the ball, but could not convert those possessions into touchdowns. The OU defense was able to shut down UTEP outside of two 50 yard field goals and one touchdown by playing an effective zone the majority of the game.
The thing to remember about a zone defense is that you will give up short passes, but as long as you limit yards after the catch with strong pursuit and tackling, you’ll be successful.
And our defense did just that.
The biggest difference I saw in the defense from last year was the aggressiveness. They did not wait for the ball carrier to come to them for the tackle.
They pursued. They swarmed to the ball and for the most part made sure tackles.
It was exciting to see.
But again, the up tempo offense and time of possession will be something to keep an eye on when the Sooners play much more talented teams this year, who may be able to exploit a defense that is on the field for too long.
That won’t be this Saturday night, but it will be a stronger test than UTEP.
The Kent State Golden Flashes come to town sporting their own version of an up tempo offense called the “FlashFast”.
Dave: Kent State is no “Flash in the pan”
It comes with a talented back field of runners, Marquez Cooper and Xavier Williams, who combined for over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns last year in the No. 3 rushing attack in college football.
They also have a stud wide receiver, Dante Cephas, to complement the run game.
However they lost most of their O-line to graduation, and it’s not like the OU defense doesn’t see one of the fastest offenses in the country every day in practice.
So although Kent State is no “Flash in the pan” (See what I did there? Jeez I crack myself up..), this game should be another relatively easy tune up for the rest of the season.
As such the Worry Meter is taking it easy this week at 10%. With all that being said…BOOMER!!!
— Dave
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