The Football Brainiacs

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Not that I’m telling any of you something you didn’t already know, but there were never going to be any substantial takeaways from this game considering the level of competition. That said, it’s also not as if there are zero positives to come out of what proved to be the expected one-sided affair.

* Again no real surprise considering the opponent but coming off that Houston game and his issues holding on to the ball too long, it was nice to see the old Baker Mayfield again.

* I will never understand how a guy can be 6’5″ 250 and continually get as WIDE open as Mark Andrews does. But whatever you’re doing, Mark, please keep doing it!

* Granted it’s just two games into the season, but it sure looks more and more to me that Joe Mixon is really starting to come into his own. Both running the ball — some of his cuts Saturday night were just ridiculous — and how easy he makes it look catching the ball in space.

Also, my goodness does he ever look like a dynamic punt returner. I’m completely fine putting him back there, especially since it would appear he’s not going to return kickoffs (assuming his absence there Saturday night was any indicator).

I’d encourage OU fans to take it all in now, because if he keeps this up it’s hard for me to see him not leaving early for the NFL.

* While they didn’t connect every time, it seemed to me like Mayfield was really looking for AD Miller multiple times throughout the first half, especially on throws down the field. Which, in my opinion, is a very good thing.

* That third quarter was pretty ugly for the Austin Kendall led OU offense, although that probably shouldn’t have come as that big a surprise considering it was his first college game ever. So it was all the more encouraging to see Kendall bounce back in that fourth quarter and finish strong, probably highlighted by that perfect fade to Miller in the end zone.

* Also a solid debut for true freshman running back Abdul Adams, who finished with a quality stat line of 18 rushes for 91 yards (5.1 ypc) against a ULM defense, at least for that third quarter, who didn’t have much reason to respect the pass.

* Definitely not prepared to go so far as to say he would have been the difference maker a week ago, but how Mykel Jones didn’t see the field against Houston I’ll never know.

Man, did he ever show some exciting potential on Saturday night.

* Had to have been a super cool moment for walk-on Nick Basquine to get his first ever reception on a 62-yard pass-and catch.

* GET NEVILLE GALLIMORE ON THE FIELD MORE.

* Jeffrey Mead on punt returns was, um, different. Just odd to see a guy that big back there, or at least it was for me.

* Liked what we saw from both Kapri Doucet and Caleb Kelly. Thought the former got himself out of position a couple times being too aggressive on his pass rush and getting to far up field, but nothing to be overly alarmed about.

* Didn’t expect to really find anything out about the corners in this one and that proved to be the case. Yes, there was that one bust. But if Bob Stoops’ sideline a$$-chewing was any indicator that appeared to be on the safety, Will Sunderland, more so than it was Parrish Cobb.

Was good to see Michiah Quick actually out there on the defensive side of the ball, but I don’t recall anything truly standing out though maybe I missed it.

* I thought kickoffs were kind of hit and miss. Austin Seibert hit a couple of outstanding ones, into what I was led to believe was a pretty strong wind, well into the end zone. While some others, unfortunately, came up well short.

Did drill his only field goal attempt on the night, though, so that was nice.

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Alright, that’s about all I’ve got. What say you?