The football season is still off in the distance. Yet, that didn’t stop USA Today’s Longhorns Wire from predicting a perfect year for the Oklahoma Sooners. With expectations continuing to soar, don’t be fooled…potential pitfalls still sit on the schedule. Of those, none is more obvious than a trip to the Little Apple when the program squares off with the Kansas State Wildcats.
Over the past two years, KSU has secured consecutive victories over the Sooners despite the location. Giving much of the credit to the unique skill set and experience of Skylar Thompson, mobile quarterbacks have plagued the OU defense time and time again. Carrying the ball a total of nine times against Oklahoma in 2020, the quarterback accounted for three rushing touchdowns. Clearly finding success in maneuvering in tight spaces, opposing coordinators seemed stumped. Taking what was given to him, Thompson proved many doubters wrong in the passing department. Completing 72% of the pass attempts against Oklahoma in Norman, the signal caller racked up 334 yards becoming the only QB to eclipse the 300-yard barrier against the Sooners all season long. All of these thing created a recipe for success and the Wildcats.
Out of the backfield, Deuce Vaughn carved up the defense left and right. Carrying the ball 8 times throughout the course of the contest in 2020, the running back averaged 4.32 yards per carry. It’s nothing to write home about but it also tells only half of the story. Receiving the ball through the air four other times, the freshman amassed 129 yards. Although small in stature, the lightning quick back has been and will be a focal point of the offense under Chris Klieman.
Guess what?
Both of these players are back for the Wildcats and looking to extend the win streak to three! With the best offensive line during this short Klieman stint, Thompson and Vaughn should have the confidence required to pull off an upset. Combined with the style of ball played in Manhattan, KS — control the clock, low turnover ratio, physical brand — it could be a tough test for Oklahoma.
On October 2, 2021 will the Sooners emerge unscathed with a win hand?