What to look for in Sooners’ 2025 opening
The 18th ranked Sooners kick off their 2025 campaign today at 5 pm in a non-conference match against the Illinois State Redbirds in Norman. The game will be televised on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.
The opponent isn’t the focus for most fans looking for a cleansing of the palette after a dismisal 6-7 season last year, concluded by an unrecognizable OU team that lost to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth last December.
The focus will be on glimpses that this Sooners bunch is different than that. And there is reason to think they are.
Obviously the heralded Washington State transfer John Mateer at quarterback brings a seasoned leader to an offense that struggled in the last season. But it doesn’t stop there. Transfer wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III from Arkansas and running back Jadyn Ott hope to infuse energy in an offense that struggled, in part due to injuries and inexperience.
Mateer was ranked the No. 17 transfer by ESPN. He was a Manning Award finalist last year after passing for 3,139 yards and rushing for 826. He was the nation’s only player with at least 20 touchdown passes (29) and at least 10 rushing TDs (15).
An added plus is Mateer came along with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Washington State. His 2024 Cougars ranked 12th nationally with their 36.8 points per game.
Ott rushed for 2,597 yards (24 TDs) and caught 95 passes for 712 yards the past three seasons at Cal. He started 32 or his 34 games. But in Norman he is not expected to start, based upon the depth chart released this week.
On the defense, look for redshirt senior Kendal Daniels, a transfer from Oklahoma State, when he is on the field at linebacker.
The Sooners have 22 transfers on this team. With 23 freshmen that means 41 percent of the team are newcomers.
The veteran defense is anchored by what may be the best defensive line in the SEC, lead by Gracen Halton, R Mason Thomas and Damonic Williams. Depth along the defensive line will serve the Sooners well as the long season takes a physical toll.
Although Ott may get playing time, the starting RB will be senior Javantae Barnes, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry last year.
As for today’s opponent, Illinois State is an NCAA Division 1 FCS program ranked No. 6 in the preseason FCS coaches and media polls. They finished 10-4 last year and advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs. The Sooners have never played Illinois State.
Expect Illinois State’s defense to blitz. That was a signature of their team last year. It will be a good opening game test for Mateer and his wide receivers.
Follow
