SoonerScoop podcast: OU defense turning into a menace
We wanted to learn if 3-0 OU in 2023 was different than 3-0 OU in 2022. What we learned is, at least defensively, it’s a massive difference.
A massive improvement. The Sooners defense carried the day in the 20-6 victory to give Brent Venables his first 4-0 start at OU.
“But I love the competitiveness of the football team and a three-stranded cord is hard to break,” Venables said. “Dillon getting past over 300 yards and had some good, tough running times at times. Again, offensively, third downs and fourth downs were pretty good overall. We missed a couple of opportunities.
“Defensively, I think they were 4-of-19 on third and fourth downs. We were just making plays. It was just fun to watch those guys. Danny Stutsman had 13 tackles. Jaren Kanak got hit in the chest. The early results are things will be OK. We had him checked out locally. Everything will continue to check out.
“And we had R. Mason Thomas, Justin Harrington, Reggie Pearson who didn’t make the trip. Savion Byrd. But guys stepped up. Through all the … there’s good and bad in all of it. There will be a lot of opportunity to teach and learn and correct.”
Eskridge Lexus Postgame Podcast
Oklahoma traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats in its first true road test. Amongst a rowdy crowd, the Sooners missed some opportunities to separate themselves early. Dillon Gabriel missed some deep balls to open receivers but overall put together a winning performance.
The run game is as perplexing as ever as only Marcus Major and Tawee Walker took snaps. But the defense was there to hold it all together. Danny Stutsman had 13 tackles to lead the defense and it’s clear Brent Venables has changed the mentality of this unit.
Key Lawrence continues to come on and Billy Bowman made an interception deep in OU territory as well. Eddie and George join Carey from the Cincinnati press box for this week’s Eskridge Lexus Postgame Podcast.
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