Hot 11: Arkansas State
Oklahoma’s 73-0 win over Arkansas State was an example of domination with the Sooners taking the reins from the opening kickoff. The Sooners dominated the performance from a team level and now we take a look at the individual stars. So who stood out? How many defensive players made the list in spite of being on the field so rarely? Find out all of this in this week’s Hot 11.
11. Rondell Bothroyd
Trace Ford, right, pushes Rondell Bothroyd as the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) college football team holds spring practice outside of Gaylord Family/Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Photo credit: Steve Sisney – For The Oklahoman.
Stats: One tackle.
Analysis: What figures to be a common theme a defender with very few stats making the list. Bothroyd didn’t get to have the flashy start that some had expected but he was still very solid for the Sooners. The big defensive end was a source of consistent pressure against the Arkansas State offense and was very solid in the run game.
PFF Score: 69.1
10. Jonah Laulu
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jonah Laulu (8) reacts during the first quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: One quarterback hurry.
Analysis: Laulu was a guy who really did a nice job moving the pocket from the inside. The Sooners defensive tackle showed some real flashes of ability and it’ll be interesting to track how he fits in the run game going forward. His presence in pass defense figures to hold up well thanks to his athleticism and length.
PFF Score: 73.7
9. Andrew Raym
Sooners center Andrew Raym. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: N/A
Analysis: One of the best performances of Raym’s career came against the Red Wolves. The Sooners senior center showed more physicality than we’ve seen from him in recent years. Perhaps that’s due to his first full go offseason since his arrival in Norman. If this is the version of Raym that Oklahoma will get there’s a lot of reason for optimism.
PFF Score: 73.7
8. Nicholas Anderson
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) makes a catch past Arkansas State Red Wolves safety Dontay Joyner (6) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Two receptions for 68 yards.
Analysis: Throughout 2022 there were whispers of ‘if Nic Anderson can just stay healthy’, much like the talk that often revolved around his brother in in the mid 2010s. Saturday felt like the Sooners first look at just what he brings to the table. Anderson’s blend of catch radius, burst, and overall talent make for a guy that could be a key piece of the passing offense going forward.
PFF Score: 72.6
7. Woodi Washington
Woodi Washington works with cornerbacks coach Jay Valai at OU summer camp in Norman
Stats: Two tackles and one pass break-up.
Analysis: Washington was another guy who had what might be called a quiet day but when he was challenged he looked the part of the veteran standout at corner. The Sooners senior has played a lot of football and looked the part when he was time and time again in phase and had a nice pass break-up.
PFF Score: 72.0
6. Danny Stutsman
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman prowls the field in a game against UTEP on Sept. 3, 2022. (Icon Sportswire / Getty Images)
Stats: Four tackles (three solo).
Analysis: Stutsman didn’t have some of the flashy plays we’ve seen from him early in his career. Oklahoma’s most experienced linebacker did a great job keeping the new Sooners defense in order. The unit looked organized and in control of everything that Arkansas State threw at them. Perhaps most notable in the growth was communication from player to player.
PFF Score: 73.4
5. Gentry Williams
Oklahoma’s Gentry Williams speaks during a media day. Photo credit: Bryan Terry – The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network.
Stats: Three tackles (one solo), one tackle for loss (six yards).
Analysis: If any Sooners defender flashed while on the field it was probably Williams. He had a few big plays notably his tackle for loss where Williams broke on the ball and made a big play behind the line of scrimmage. He’s been talked about all summer and definitely backed up some of that buzz in his first career start.
PFF Score: 72.8
4. Jackson Arnold
Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold (10) throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Oklahoma won 73-0.
Stats: 11-11 for 114 yards and a 21-yard touchdown. He also had five carries for 39 yards and a 7-yard touchdown.
Analysis: It’s crazy that in a 73-0 win where Oklahoma’s starter threw for over 300 yards there’s only one guy national pundits wants to talk about. That player? Arnold. The talented quarterback flashed big-time skills and as I talked about in the Monday Morning Idiot, his ability in the run game is quite nuanced.
PFF Score: 76.5
3. Jayden Gibson
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jayden Gibson (1) makes a leaping touchdown catch over Arkansas State Red Wolves cornerback Leon Jones (2) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: Two receptions for 54 yards and a 21-yard touchdown.
Analysis: Gibson’s two bit catches are easy to highlight but they were seen by most everyone. What too few people noticed? He did a solid job with run blocking and even had a role in the next player’s big touchdown in the first quarter.
PFF Score: 91.4
2. Gavin Freeman
Oklahoma’s Gavin Freeman (82) runs back a punt for a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Stats: Two punt returns for 90 yards including an 82-yard touchdown. Four catches for 19 yards and a 7-yard touchdown.
Analysis: The Sooners explosive do-it-all man whose nickname is now known to all. The 82-yard touchdown was electric and really was the moment where it felt like the Sooners were a wave about to crash. And the thing that most won’t remember? How close he was to taking another one a little later in the game.
PFF Score: 74.3 (Off.)/76.7(STs)
1. Dillon Gabriel
Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs as Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Javante Mackey (24) defends during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 19-22 for 308 yards and two touchdowns (10, 7), along with two carries for 15 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run.
Analysis: Gabriel has had some bright moments for Oklahoma but this one may have been as sharp as he’s been in Norman. He did a great job with keeping Oklahoma’s offense moving and doing so at various speeds. The senior looked comfortable with his receivers and helped put the gas down early and put the game out of reach.
PFF Score: 87.9
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