Brent Venables notebook: Cincinnati a ‘line of scrimmage’ game

You know Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables means business when there is not an opening statement to his weekly press conference.

Venables jumped right into questions as the Sooners (3-0) begin Big 12 conference play at Cincinnati (2-1) for Big Noon Kickoff on FOX.

There has been a lot to like for OU, on offense and defense. But errors that didn’t cost the Sooners in the first three games might end up differently if they occur again.

Or if OU isn’t as physical at the point of attack against someone like Dontay Corleone, it’s going to be the difference between a road win at a place like Nippert Stadium and walking out 3-1.

“This is going to be a line of scrimmage football game,” said Venables on Tuesday. “Both sides of the ball. They’re physical, they’re relentless, aggressive, confident, all those things. So it’s going to be an exciting challenge.”

It’s going to be easy to dismiss the Bearcats a bit after the shocking overtime home loss to Miami (Ohio) over the weekend. But it’s also going to be tough to prepare for what the environment will be like Saturday for Cincinnati’s first game ever in the Big 12.

So you shift gears. Do your homework about the Bearcats, for sure, but keep the focus on Oklahoma being Oklahoma. If OU has gotten over the hump of 2022 mishaps, this weekend would be yet another sign.

“We gotta focus on us, having a great week of practice,” Venables said. “That’s how we’ll gain confidence getting on the airplane going to their place, but make no mistake, it’s gonna be a really strong challenge.

“Again, they’ve had plenty of really good teams come to their place the last five years and not have success. So we gotta find a way to have the kind of success we need in order to give ourselves a chance to be successful.”

McCullough’s return

Venables announced during his radio show Monday evening that Cheetah linebacker Dasan McCullough will return to action this weekend.

That’s huge, obviously, for a position that hasn’t really been able to stay healthy.

“Dasan is a really good player. He’s put in a lot of hard work. He’s a major contributor on special teams as well. Good to get Dasan back at a position where we’ve had guys banged up. It’s a good thing. He’s long, super athletic. Smart, very competitive. He’s anxious to get back out on the field.”

McCullough has missed the last two games. It has led to guys like Reggie Pearson and Peyton Bowen getting their cracks at meaningful snaps.

As for Justin Harrington? Well…

Hopeful is the injury word

As for Harrington and a host of others, hopeful is the word of the week. That’s what Venables said regarding the status of Pearson, Savion Byrd, Jasiah Wagoner, R Mason Thomas and Harrington.

“We’re still evaluating Harrington in particular about what his options might be,” Venables said.

Pearson looked banged up at Monday’s practice. Byrd left the game in the first half and didn’t return. Wagoner and Thomas were both suited up to play but never saw the field in Tulsa.

The 2023 news is not good for a couple of defenders. Venables announced season-ending surgeries for defensive back Jayden Rowe and freshman linebacker Phil Picciotti.

“Phil Picciotti and Jayden Rowe – both of those guys are having to have season-ending surgery,” Venables said. “Unfortunately, hate that. The good thing for those guys is they have their whole careers sitting in front of them. They’re going to be great players.”

RSJ creating value

Each week, the OU special teams has been able to have one of those difference-making plays. Sometimes it’s in the return game, kicking game or coverage aspect.

If you’re not getting all the reps you hope for, fighting for these snaps means something. And Venables gave the shoutout to safety Robert Spears-Jennings for his performance last week.

“Had 19 special teams plays last week. He was our special-teams player of the week last week,” he said. “I think he had roughly 28 defensive snaps, so you’re just south of 50 snaps. By creating a lot of value, being on three units, developing confidence and accountability and all those things that will help transition, too, when you do get in as a player.”

Not too much for Green, Bowen to handle

It’s said a bunch about true freshmen’s heads spinning, trying to get their bearings. Well, OU is putting a couple to the test in safety Peyton Bowen and offensive lineman Cayden Green.

Bowen has been practicing at five different spots and has played multiple positions this season. Green began the season as an offensive tackle. With the return of Jacob Sexton, Green has now moved inside to left guard.

Venables, though, isn’t concerned about their ability to handle it all.

“You have your instincts during the recruiting process,” Venables said. “You know what that looks like and then you quickly find out how they learn, how they respond, how they compete, how they play. I think it’s a combination of both of those things. Both of them – it’s not a surprise to us – have the capability of doing multiple things as they mature and age.

“In a perfect world, you zero them in and let them go get it. Sometimes you can afford that and sometimes you can’t.”

Arnold pushing Gabriel

One of the best plays last weekend was Jackson Arnold’s touchdown pass to Nic Anderson. Right on the money, in stride, touchdown. Beautiful.

No, Arnold isn’t in line to replace starter Dillon Gabriel. But it would only be natural for Gabriel to keep strutting his stuff to show fans he’s still the guy. And deserves to be the guy.

“Competition should bring out the best in everyone if you’re made of the right stuff,” Venables said. “I don’t think Dillon has ever felt ‘threatened,’ but certainly knows a young guy is watching him every day and is incredibly talented in his own right. So, they want to show off their stuff.

“So I’m sure it’s helped. But at the same time, Dillon, since I’ve known him, has not been a guy that’s looking over his shoulder either. He’s confident in his own skin and the process in what he needs to do to play at a high level and I think that’s helped him as opposed to paralyzed him.

Final quote

“When it’s time that everybody in the stadium knows you’ve got to run it and the opponent knows you’ve got to run it or throw it, you’ve got to have the ability to execute in those situations. That’s what a championship team can do. Even when you know it, you’re still able to. Whether that’s physicality, precision, play decision, whatever that is. That is imposing your will, if you will. To me, that’s what it takes to be a team that’s playing in January.”

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