Jovantae Barnes, Gavin Sawchuk staying patient, waiting to lead OU rushing attack
All offseason, it was assumed that Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk were going to lead the way on the ground for OU.
The two were standouts in the Cheez-It Bowl, each rushing for over 100 yards against Florida State. But through two games this season, Barnes and Sawchuk have been virtually non-existent in the Sooners’ run game. They’ve combined for only 35 offensive snaps compared to 111 for Marcus Major and Tawee Walker. Sawchuk, who has been injured and did not play against Arkansas State. He has only played three snaps and has one carry for one yard.
“We want to get 2 (Barnes) and 27 (Sawchuk) going. We absolutely do,” offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said. “That’s something that’ll be important for us this week as we move forward and making decisions for Saturday.”
This Saturday against Tulsa feels like the perfect opportunity to get those two going, facing an inferior defense that could give them a much-needed confidence boost before conference play.
But Barnes and Sawchuk are no strangers to waiting their turn. Last season for OU, Barnes didn’t get more than 10 carries in a game until the third game. And Sawchuk played only in the TCU game before breaking out against Florida State.
“I mean Marcus and Tawee have been doing a great job,” Barnes said Tuesday. “I’m just waiting on my opportunity, my name to be called. As soon as my name is called I just do my job to make sure I’m taking care of what I got to do and whatever to do to help the team… Me and Lebby have a strong connection and obviously, he’s going to find a way to get his backs involved. And like he said we have a deep running back room so whoever is in there is going to get the job done. And this — it’s been a great week so far and I’m just ready.”
OU has had few explosive plays in the running game, with Walker’s 30-yard run Saturday against SMU being the longest this season. Many believe Barnes or Sawchuk could be that home run threat in the running game — especially Sawchuk, who ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds in high school.
And right now, while the running game has been effective, it’s missing that explosiveness.
“We have to continue to win one-on-ones to get guys in rhythm. And to bring along 2 and 27 this week while continuing to let Tawee and let Marcus be a big part of it,” Lebby said. “I do love the fact that we have a stable. We have four guys who we trust and that we can count on. We do want more explosive plays in the run game, for sure.”
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see more of No. 2 and No. 27 this Saturday. But it also wouldn’t be a surprise if OU is holding their two best backs for conference play, keeping them fresh for what will be a tough stretch.
Either way, Barnes and Sawchuk are staying patient, waiting for their number to be called. Because when they are called upon, many believe OU’s running game will improve drastically.
“I’m just blessed to be out here, chasing my dream,” Barnes said. “I ignore that. Like I said, I just take my opportunity and whenever I get it I use it. I’ve been doing a good job with that and just making sure my teammates are doing what they need to do. I mean, Tawee and Marcus have been looking amazing, so I’m just proud of them and what they’re doing.”
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