Youngsters shine bright on the big stage
Spencer Rattler couldn’t have produced a better performance to begin his career as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. The redshirt freshman was 7-for-7 for 201 yards and three touchdowns before he threw an incomplete pass. That incomplete pass, by the way, was a perfect lob to Charleston Rambo in the corner of the end zone that Rambo dropped.
Rattler ended the night with 290 yards and four touchdowns on a 14-of-17 passing performance. He had the highest profile of Oklahoma’s youngsters to play on Saturday night but he certainly wasn’t alone when it came to stepping into the spotlight and producing.
Marvin Mims led a quartet of true freshmen who had big nights in their debut. The native of Fisco, Texas caught three passes for 80 yards (26.7 YPC) and a score while also returning three punts for an average of 22.7 yards per return.
Seth McGowan absolutely looked the best among Oklahoma’s running backs. He toted the ball eight times for 56 yards and a score. He also came out of the backfield to catch a 37-yard pass for another touchdown.
H-Back Mikey Henderson tied for second on the team with four receptions. He averaged 9.3 yards per catch on his way to a 37 yard night.
Chandler Morris was the third quarterback to play on the night and he looked really good. Showing a strong arm and some wheels the freshman from Arkansas was 2-for-2 for 37 yards and ran twice for 25 yards.
Shutouts Aren’t Easy
Defensively the Sooners did everything they needed to do against an opponent the caliber of Missouri State. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, recording a shutout in today’s era of college football is impressive. Brian Asamoah was spectacular in leading the team with 7 total tackles (2 for loss) and a pass breakup. I mentioned him when the depth chart was released and he certainly didn’t disappoint.
Oklahoma’s defense held the Bears to just 136 total yards of offense and seven first downs. Some of the things I was worried about (poor tackling, blown assignments, penalties) never really appeared which makes this performance even more impressive.
Led by DaShaun White’s 1.5 quarterback take downs, the Speed D produced four sacks in a performance that was every bit as dominating as the one produced by their offensive teammates.
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