Open Post | Tuesday, October 22nd
Posted on: October 22, 2019
Post Game Thoughts…Oklahoma Vs. West Virginia
– JY
In a word, Dominant…What’s crazy about that assessment, is that the Sooners came out flat to start the game. West Virginia gained a few first downs, and you could tell there was just a bit of a letdown.
Nevertheless, the Sooners only yielded 242 total yards on the day. While everyone will point to a lack of a pass rush, and rightfully so, Oklahoma only allowed the Mountaineers to gain 51 yards on the ground on 30 carries.
This was the first time that I can remember in YEARS that the Sooners didn’t give up a touchdown in garbage time. They still had the the early scoring drives in the 1st half, but once Grinch figured out what West Virginia was trying to do, they turned in one of the more statistically dominant performances in recent memory.
Jalen Hurts….Are you kidding me? Responsible for 5 TD’s, and almost a 6th but fumbled the snap on what was most likely a QB sneak. It forced the Sooners into a chip shot field goal for Brkic, who’s quietly becoming a very reliable kicker.
The only incompletion that Jalen had was a dropped pass by Drake Stoops, or otherwise you’re looking at a 17 for 17 day for the Sooners’ signal caller. I don’t know if I’ve seen him have a better looking pass than the one down the left sideline to Theo Wease.
Where is Trey Sermon? I have to wonder if he’s hurt or not practicing well or something’s afoot, because he was the 3rd RB today in the rotation behind Kennedy Brooks and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Kennedy Brooks had an excellent game today. He had a video game catch and run where he hit the circle button and spun out and almost scored. A block in the back that was legit, but a bit of a ticky tack call on Jadon Haselwood negated most of the yardage on the run, but still it was a great run.
This was the 1st time the whole season where the original 5 starters played back to back games together, and easily the best performance up front from that group in my opinion they’ve had all years. Zero holding penalties, zero false starts and only one sack surrendered.
The offense looked very crisp, and in large part that was due to how well the offensive line executed. Marquis Hayes is turning into one of my favorite Sooners to watch, and he peeled back on a block I’ll outline in my #Trench Warfare videos to pick up a defender and allow Hurts more time to step up and complete the pass.
It’s crazy that the Sooners had kind of a ho-hum performance that saw them basically run the Mountaineers out of the stadium. They only gave up 92 yards in the 2nd half to WVa, and you get the sense that the defense still isn’t pleased with a lockdown performance.
In closing, the Sooners moved to 7-0, and have to go to K-State, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma State to close the year. It’ll be interesting to see how the guys finish the year. It seems like the season is flying by, but hey…Time flies when you’re having fun! Boomer!
Quick Hitters | Visitor Notes
– The Football Brainiacs
2021 defensive lineman Shemar Turner from Desoto, TX, was in Norman for an unofficial visit. Darius caught up with the 6’3.5″ 260 lb highly coveted lineman following the game.
This was his 2nd time visiting Norman.
His highlights were going into the locker room after the game and talking with Coach Riley.
OU’s pitch to him right now is that he’s one of their top priorities overall for 2021, not just defensively. They want him to be a guy that comes in and makes an immediate impact.
Had this to say about the OU Defense: “they are much improved. They’re for real.”
Won’t have a final list or anything like that for a while, but OU will definitely be a factor for him.
*** Charlie caught up with 2021 defensive lineman E’maurion ‘Dooda’ Banks who was also in town for an unofficial visit for the West Virginia game.
Banks, the 6’4″ 260 lb defender, is a guy that the Sooners continue to make a priority.
He enjoyed his visit a lot. When I asked him what stood out, E’maurion said: “I loved it. Everything stood out”.
He was really impressed with the crowd and the atmosphere and mentioned that he got to spend some time with Coach Thibbs which was important to him.
When talking about Coach Grinch, he mentioned his intensity and the way the team responded to him. He said “Man it was lit after every tackle!”
Banks is a guy that will certainly have the Sooners in mind throughout his recruitment.
Quick Hitters | Visitor Notes | Sunday
– Charlie S
Caught up with a couple more unofficial visitors who made their way to Norman for the West Virginia game…
*** First up, I caught up with 2021 offensive lineman Trey Zuhn from Fort Collins, CO.
Zuhn is a 6’5″ 260 lb tackle who holds offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas A&M and Penn State among others visited the Sooners earlier this summer.
Zuhn said, “The visit went really good!” He added, “I had gotten to see the facilities when I was here in the summer but I needed to see the game day!”
When I asked him what he thought of the game-day atmosphere, he said “The fans were great! The team looked awesome! Excitement everywhere!”
Another note that seems important came when he said: “It was great to meet Brock (Vandagriff) and talk with him and a few of the other commits”.
As for the staff, Zuhn told me “Coach Bedenbaugh and Riley were great. Always love talking with them.”
Sounds like OU made a huge impression here and Zuhn will definitely be one to keep an eye on going forward.
*** Next up I touched base with 2021 defensive lineman David Abiara out of Mansfield, TX.
Abiara made his way back to Norman after a visit this summer and he was not disappointed with what he took in.
When I asked him about his thoughts on the visit he said “It was a great atmosphere. The coaching staff went out of their way to speak with me and my dad.”
Abiara also mentioned spending time with the Sooner commits who were in attendance and enjoyed that aspect of the visit as well.
When asked about the team and the coaching staff, David said “Their energy was very high and intense throughout the whole game”.
Abiara currently holds around 10 offers and the Sooners got in on him early and I would imagine they will be a player throughout his recruitment and in my opinion, they currently are in the pole position for him.
Weekend Recruiting | Sourced | Quick-Hitters
– Super K
***Sooners hosted 2020 4-star DL, Reggie Grimes (Nashville, TN). Simply put, per a source, I was told Reggie played things close to the chest and was difficult to read.
I want to emphasize that I am not saying the visit didn’t go well. I am saying that the folks I spoke to said that he Grimes was hard to read.
But, no worries, I should be speaking with Reggie later today or tomorrow, at the latest. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find out how the Sooners did.
***Sooners also hosted 2020 4-star Tennessee DB commit, Keshawn Lawrence (Nashville, TN)…
I did hear good things on this recruitment. Was told by a couple sources that the Sooners have a legitimate shot at this one.
OU DB, Woodi Washington hosted Lawrence and, as you know, Washington is also a Tennessee native. One of the many perks of national recruiting.
Here again, I should be speaking with Keshawn sometime tomorrow. I’ll bring you my read on things once I do.
***Also, spoke with a source close to 2020 4-star Stanford WR commit, Marvin Mims. Here is what I heard…
– The Sooners want Mims but I’m told they want a clear decision soon. They don’t want to continue to wait on this. They want to know where they stand.
– Source said that Mims is reconsidering things due to how little Stanford throws the ball. This one is tough for me to really understand because, Stanford has always been more of a running team. In other words, the family had that information when Mims committed to them back in the summer. But, perhaps seeing it up close as the season plays out has made a difference.
– The issue with Mims for Oklahoma has long been concerns about the number of wide receivers and the depth at the position at Oklahoma. I’m not sure if there is much that’s going to change that. This is more something that the family has to work through.
– Primary other schools in the mix are Okie State and TCU. I’m told that the family is going to decide whether to take any additional visits or just make a final decision between Stanford and the Sooners.
While I should be speaking with both Grimes and Lawerence this week, I can tell you that getting Mims to talk is going to be far less likely. I’ll see what else I can find out, either way.
I do get the sense that either something is going to happen, fast, or the Sooners are going to move on.
Lincoln Riley Presser | Kansas State
– Charlie S
*** Jon Michael Terry suffered a lower leg injury last week in practice and will have surgery and miss the rest of the season…tough loss, one of the key players for OU this year. Was a non-contact injury.
*** Riley talks about how well Kansas State is playing, says it’s always a battle when you go to Manhattan.
*** On Nik Bonitto: Talks about his growth and maturity
*** Riley on Bonitto: Riley says Bonitto’s made some of the biggest strides on the roster over last few months. Had a very up-and-down redshirt year, prob more down than up” Says parting ways with Mike Stoops was tough on him, but he has bought in this year and it’s showing.
*** On Trey Sermon: He’s had the second most snaps the last two weeks. Ball hasn’t found him. Haven’t had many offensive plays and has a lot of good players. Trey has done a good job…practices well.
*** On Neville Gallimore: A player at his position…you can’t really get away from him. He impacts the center of the pocket and every aspect of the run game. His effort has been off the charts. Has unique explosion. Been fun to see him grow.
*** On Gallimore’s improvement: Mental approach has been a big part of it for him. There is a lot to the position and he is mentally in a good place. The scheme has put him in good position to make a lot of place. Good fit.
*** On redshirt freshman (Bonitto in particular): It’s a unique challenge. Most of them have always been the best…they aren’t used to it. All freshmen go through it. We have so many players from far away, but having so many guys from across the country helps. It’s not something you can ease into, it’s a drastic change and life comes at you pretty fast.
*** On freshman: Staff works hard getting them accommodated. Always trying to make the transition as smooth as possible.
*** On KState: They have played really well defensively. Notes the DL and LBs. Even OkState didn’t go up and down the field on them. The QB makes them go, good dual-threat guy. They are absolutely a threat. Going to Manhattan is always a challenge.
*** On KState: Going on the road and their style make it a challenge.
*** On Turnovers: Some weeks it’s different. It depends on how people are playing you and attacking you. It’s no different than sacks. One week you have a million, this week you have none. It’s about how you play them. We feel like there are a couple opportunities during the game that we plan for. Have to find and create opportunities.
*** On Neville and Creed: It’s made them both better. Reminds him of when Obo and Orlando went at it every day in practice.
*** Riley on Grinch as a potential head coach: “If that’s what he ultimately wants to do…he’d be a very good head coach.”
*** On teams shortening the game: It’s been fairly common the last few years. Hard to say if it’s been more after Army or not. As far as why teams don’t go to it more…there are some challenges in recruiting there.
*** Riley on Bookie: Lots of things have helped him. Going thru good and the bad. Has meshed well with Grinch. Playing well and confident. Finished a lot more plays than last year.
*** Riley on Hurts personality: Riley thinks he has a good read on who he is. Learns new things all the time still though. Little nuances about everything from tendencies and what he likes in the game plan. Personality-wise…not the easiest to figure out in the beginning, but we understand each other at this point.
*** Riley on teams focus compared to past teams: Hard to prepare. Had teams in the past who fully believed they could win the whole thing as well. This team has improved week to week. You feel a conscious effort that the things we put in front of them, they are trying to take advantage of them. We are still so early in this with so much to go.
*** Riley on Creed: Creed has done well. Thought he could play better early in the season…our expectations were pretty high. Bedenbaugh continues to challenge him cause he can play better. His ‘OK’ is other people’s ‘good’. He’s had some frustrations with the line always being different but he has grown as a player and a leader. Last week was a week we took some big steps on the line in having the same guys and getting a little continuity.
Quick Hitter | Alfred Collins Post Texas Official Visit
– CJ Vogel
I just spoke with 2020 Cedar Creek DL Alfred Collins who is fresh off his official visit to Texas this past weekend.
** It still feels like this is a 2-team race between Texas and Oklahoma.
** Collins said he enjoyed the weekend though admittedly was surprised at how close the game was.
** Despite all OV’s being taken, Collins said he still might take some unofficials (he did mention getting back to OU specifically) before making his decision.
** Collins won’t be an early enrollee and acknowledged there was a chance he doesn’t decide until closer to NSD2 in February.
I’ll have full quotes and write up later for the Texas side (anything else I think of pertaining to OU I will bring it here), but I wanted to share my takeaways as I know you guys were monitoring this visit as well.
Trench Warfare…Oklahoma Vs. West Virginia
– JY
It was hard to come down off of such an emotional game last week against Texas. I say that for me, because I was still thinking about Texas on Thursday last week. I can’t imagine what that has to be like for some of the players either. It seemed like it took a couple of series for both sides of the ball to settle in and realize a game was being played, and the whole world knows that Texas slept walked through their game and barely came out alive against a spunky Jayhawk squad.
In years past we would see the Sooners give up a couple of early scores and a few late scores, and the game would have been more like 52-35. This year however, the Sooners are playing something we haven’t seen around here in a very, very long time. Sound, fundamental defense. On this jet sweep, you can see several Sooners turning and running with the play, while on the backside, Kendall is accounted for as well.
It must be frustrating for opposing teams who play against the Sooners. You know the counter play is coming. You prepare for it all week. You tell your team that it’s going to look much better than how your scout team runs it. Then the Sooners hit you on their 1st play from scrimmage with one of the best looking counters they’ve executed all year. Great down block by Ealy, Hayes coming around to kick out, and Swenson up inside on the seal allowing Brooks to pick up another huge chunk of yards.
Something I noticed Saturday is that Jalen Hurts is starting to trust his offensive line. This was only the 2nd consecutive game all year that the Sooners had the 5 starting offensive line together and healthy. He’s sitting very close to Swenson and Hayes block, and we have seen him pull it and take off before. What this is going to do long term is give time for routes to develop and receivers to come open as the season wears on. Here CeeDee Lamb is coming open across the middle.
Defending against this team forces you to account for so many things. On this play you have to pay attention to the jet sweep to CeeDee Lamb with Kennedy Brooks & Jeremiah Hall out there lead blocking…
Meanwhile you also have to account for the counter action which has 700 pounds of beef pulling around to block for Jalen Hurts on the QB run.
As this thing opens up, you notice the polish that the Sooners new offensive line starters are putting on their performance. Erik Swenson does a great job looking back inside to seal off that linebacker. 5 and 6 games ago, the guys needed more reps and more times focusing on the details of their jobs to really make it pop. Now you’re starting to see the O line gel and play very very well. Game after game they get a little bit better than they were the week before. Jalen almost scored on this play, and after he sees the tape, I’ll bet he wishes he had this one back. He stepped out of bounds, but may have been able to cut it back and go score.
You always hear about establishing the line of scrimmage. The Sooners only allowed West Virginia to gain 51 yards on Saturday, and plays like this are why. While you didn’t see the sacks we saw last week and the turnovers the guys are so fiercely pursuing, what you did see was a very dominating workmanlike performance. I said it in my post game comments, but this is the first game I can remember in forever where the Sooners didn’t give up a garbage time touchdown or two even.
The Sooners just seem to keep getting better and better. One of the messages they’re sending loud and clear to the rest of the league is that they are not going to run a swing pass or a jet sweep and get away with it. Last week, play after play saw Bookie fly up and take this away from Texas. Here the safeties rotate, and Delarrin Turner-Yell flies up and takes away Kendall’s primary read.
We can see Kendall’s eyes out there towards that jet sweeper, and it forces him to come back to the slant inside. Parnell Motley was ready for it, and broke up the play. You always hear about time in a game, and most people think you’re talking about the clock and how much time is left in a game. What Grinch does is takes away time for opponents to think. He does this by demanding that everyone does their job, plays aggressive and attacks. Bookie is bearing down on Kendall, so once he realizes the swing isn’t there he has to come back to the slant. He’s able to process those thoughts, but the receiver isn’t even thinking he’s getting the ball at this point. Had he given the ball on the dive, the Sooners have that covered as well.
I didn’t want to litter your screens with arrows, but just look at the red Jerseys blocking everywhere on the field. #35 in white had to stay with Kennedy Brooks in case Jalen gave him the ball. Jalen rode that read out wide to help open this lane as wide as a Norman street.
Something that doesn’t get talked about enough in my opinion is how well the Sooners receivers block downfield and on the perimeter. Kennedy Brooks doesn’t score here if those guys don’t block like they do. Game after game after game you see Sooners backs and even Jalen Hurts reel off big gainers or plays like this where they go in untouched for the score.
This looks like a play where the Mountaineers may be in business. They’re in good position to block all of the Sooners defenders and maybe pick up one of those chunk plays they would have gotten in years past. This year though, the Sooners are moving just a step faster and are a bit more urgent. They shut this play down for a two yard gain after mostly everyone getting “unblocked.” The safety’s effort flying down the alley, and Ugwoegbu flying inside out really made the difference.
While this play may have not looked pretty at first to most, it was a beautiful job by the Sooners O line and Kennedy Brooks picking up the blitz. Sometimes when everybody flies down in there, it doesn’t give you much room to operate.
But when you get a hat on a hat, and you have an intelligent QB, big plays like this happen. The mountaineers didn’t keep anyone in to spy behind the blitz, and Jalen made them pay for it. He was able to squirt out of the left side of the protection and go down the left sideline for the score.
In the first half, and especially on the early scores West Virginia had, Grinch was bringing 3 man pressure. In the 2nd half, he was having none of that, and didn’t want to let them score again. This draw that Kenneth Murray blew up was just a case of bringing more guys than the Mountaineers could block. As he comes down inside, you gotta think that 74 for WVa has to pick him up, but he’s preoccupied with DeShaun White(blue arrow).
This was exhibit B of Jalen really starting to trust his O line. Lee Morris is about to come open down the left sideline if Jalen has time to see him. Marquis Hayes is “looking for work” since he doesn’t have anyone to block. He peels back and picks up that guy coming free from Ealy’s block at the last second for one of the bigger blocks in the game. It gives Jalen just enough time and space to slide over a couple of steps and hit Morris for the score.
Ugwoegbu is starting to show up just like Nik Bonitto. His speed and length shut this play down. On 3rd and 15 Kendall barely got back to the line of scrimmage .
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