Oklahoma’s performance on the field was far from perfect but the Sooners remained unblemished on the season, improving their record to 7-0. Dillon Gabriel orchestrated another fourth quarter rally and then OU held on, ultimately withstanding a 2-point conversion and an onside kickoff attempt, survive by a final score of 31-29.
Gabriel continued his Heisman campaign by completing 65% of his passes for 253 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He now has 16 passing touchdowns, and has added another five scores on the ground. Overall, it was a frustrating day for Oklahoma’s offense. The Sooners managed 442 total yards, and an average of 5.4 yards per play. On the money downs, OU was 7-of-1 on third down and 1-for-1 on fourth down. It was a day where we knew that the defense would be tested but didn’t expect that type of challenge for the offense. The struggles on offense was probably the biggest takeaway from the game, but here are ten other thoughts to consider.
Oklahoma won without forcing a turnover
For the first time this season, Oklahoma’s defense didn’t force a turnover. That happens sometimes, but it only amplifies the damage done by Dillon Gabriel’s interception, off the deflection from Drake Stoops. By my count, I think that’s the first time in the Brent Venables Era, at Oklahoma, in which the Sooners have won when they didn’t force a turnover.
This game would have been a loss in 2022
I really don’t think anyone is really going to argue this point. Things went down hill fast for the Sooners on Saturday. They trailed UCF for more time in this game than they have all of their previous six opponents combined. It was the perfect recipe for disaster and yet they still fought back, put themselves in position to win, and closed it out by making plays. They wouldn’t have recovered from this in 2022.
7-0!
I think OU fans have every right to be a bit frustrated with the way this game unfolded, but I also think we should keep perspective on where this team is. The win improved the Sooners to 7-0 on the season. It’s the eighth time since the 2000 season that they’ve been 7-0, the third time in the last five years, and the first time since 2021.
It’s also worth noting that Oklahoma is guaranteed to have a winning season in 2023.
Defense won the day
I was legitimately shocked at how many people expressed frustration over the offensive success that UCF had. The Knights came to Norman with the top offense in the Big 12 and one of the top rushing offenses in the country. Despite the 29 points allowed, Oklahoma’s defense won the day.
OU held UCF to 397 total yards and 149 rushing yards. The Knights entered the game ranked fourth nationally in total offense (516.7 yards per game) and third nationally in rushing offense (246.3 yards per game). They registered 13 tackles for loss, which is the second-most this season (15 at Tulsa). In addition, the Sooners recorded seven quarterback hurries, which was their most in a game since last season’s Bedlam contest (12).
The Sooners are the hunted now
The Red River Rivalry changed things. Oklahoma left the Cotton Bowl as the top team in the Big 12 and back in the national spotlight as a Playoff contender. The Sooners have the biggest target on their backs as anyone in the conference, and it’s a position that they’ll need to adjust to. The narrative following last season’s 6-7 finish was that this team wasn’t going to be a contender in 2023. That’s all changed. The Sooners are no longer the hunters, they’re now the hunted. They’ll feel that pressure every weekend now…especially as long as they’re undefeated.
Fixed the punting issues
Perhaps flying a little under the radar was the insertion of Luke Elzinga as Oklahoma’s primary punter. He averaged 51.6 yards per punt on the day, with a long of 58 yards. It was his fourth time to appear in a game this season, but the first time he’s had the punting responsibilities all to himself.
Kicking still needs to be addressed
We can breathe a sigh of relief about the punting situation, but can’t say the same thing about place kicking. Zack Schmit was 1-of-3 on field goal attempts against UCF. That makes him 8-of-12 on the season but 5-of-9 in the last three games. Venables said afterwards that he’s sticking with Schmit and that he’ll remain the kicker moving forward.
Let’s not overreact
I’m not sure that we are giving enough credit to the losses of McKade Mettauer, Troy Everett and Andrel Anthony, along with the suspension of Tawee Walker. There were some key components missing from the first six games of the season. Cayden Green and Caleb Shaffer both made starts along the offensive line, and Gavin Sawchuk made his first start of the season at running back.
I’m saying all of that to say, perhaps a shaky performance by the offense shouldn’t have been so unexpected. Sure it’s disappointing but it’s probably key to not overreact in this moment. When the game was on the line, Oklahoma’s offense got the job done. It’s one of those, “better late than never” moments.
Clearly the hope would be that they show improvement from week to week if this is the offensive line moving forward.
It’s time to admit that Oklahoma can’t run the football
Yes, in light of the previous point, this one is kind of ironic. That said, everyone has found seemingly unlimited success on the ground against this UCF defense and Oklahoma couldn’t. Marcus Major averaged 4.6 yards per carry and Gavin Sawchuk averaged 6.3. Even so, the Sooners ran at a pace of 4.1 yards per carry but really didn’t get things rolling until late in the game.
Oklahoma has yet to have a running back separate himself from the herd, so to speak, and with the season more than halfway done at this point, it’s time to start thinking this is the way things are going to be.
Nic Anderson is a freak!
Anderson caught five passes, for 105 yards and two touchdowns. On the season he now has eight receiving touchdowns and has caught a touchdown at least one touchdown pass in five straight games. That was exactly what Oklahoma needed in the first game without Andrel Anthony.
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You make some good points.
It was frustrating to watch, but it all ended well.
One thing this team isn’t lacking is the will to fight, and the determination to win.
That can’t be measured in “stars”. You either have it or you buy into it from your teammates or coaches.
I know the kicking game is probably going to hurt OU. Let’s hope he improves through the season.
What happened to Barnes & Sawchuck ? They have regressed quite a bit. The whole off season I believed that position was in good if not great shape after the bowl game. Wide receiver was the main concern. I don’t get it. It may be injuries and no reps but they (the whole RB squad ) are not playing at a level that even resembles the offense Lebby wants to run.
Is it the Line? It may be part of it but the lack of a running game and kicking game ( place kicker ) are so far off of the other positions that it going to be easier for teams to prepare for them and game plan around that.
I’m ready to see the freshmen backs since all the upper class men are playing like freshmen, and getting suspended.
Random OT thoughts: Caleb Williams is learning that “speed D” sucks! Lol. He’s learning that linemen matter too. His GOAT title is fading away, sneaking away in the dark like his mentor muleshoe did. So he has made enough money from NIL to buy his way onto an NFL team? Every commercial he does give the other team that much more determination, id love for OU to play them in a bowl, but I don’t think the B12 plays the 4th place team from the pac zero. And certainly not the B12 champion.
Boomer !