Jovantae Barnes’ career day powered Oklahoma to a resounding 59-14 victory over Maine. The running back’s explosive performance sparked the Sooners’ offense, which had been struggling to find consistency this season.
Barnes rushed for a career-high 203 yards on 18 carries, averaging an impressive 11.3 yards per attempt. His three rushing touchdowns showcased his power and agility, as he broke tackles and burst through the line of scrimmage. His 74-yard run in the first quarter was the longest rush for the Sooners since 2019.
The often criticized, and rightfully so, Sooners offensive line played a crucial role in Barnes’ success by creating running lanes. Perhaps it was just for a day, but the line’s improved performance allowed the entire Oklahoma offense to thrive. Oklahoma outgained Maine 665 to 251 in total yards, 381 to 107 in rushing yards and 284 to 144 in passing yards today, setting season highs for total offensive yards, rushing yards and passing yards.
With Barnes leading the way, the Sooners were able to truly dominate a football game for the first time this season. His breakout performance not only secured the victory but also injected much-needed momentum into the Oklahoma offense.
A Closer Look At Barnes’ Big Day
- Rushed 18 times for a career-high 203 yards and three touchdowns (average of 11.3 yards per rush), including 158 yards on 11 carries
in the first half. - His TD rushes were for 2, 8 and 19 yards. He now has four rushing TDs this season and 10 in his career.
- His 203 rushing yards were the most by a Sooner since Eric Gray rushed for 211 yards at West Virginia in 2022. OU’s highest rushing
total by a running back this season was 70 yards by Barnes two weeks ago vs. South Carolina. - Barnes’ 158 first-half rushing yards marked the eighth-highest first-half total in OU history and third-highest in stadium history.
- The last time an OU running back rushed for at least 150 yards in a first half was in 2014 when Samaje Perine rushed for 222 vs.
Kansas. (Perine finished with an FBS single-game record 427 yards that day.) - Barnes’ 74-yard rush on the first play of OU’s second possession was the Sooners’ longest rushing play since Rhamondre Stevenson
had a 75-yard run against South Dakota in 2019. Barnes’ run was the fourth-longest non-scoring rush in school history and the
second-longest at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. (The longest non-scoring rush at this stadium was a 76-yarder by
Max Boydston vs. Iowa State in 1953.) - This was Barnes’ second career 100-yard rushing game and OU’s first 100-yard rushing game of the season. Barnes also rushed for
108 yards in the 2022 Cheez-It Bowl vs. Florida State. - The last time a Sooner rushed for three touchdowns in a game was RB Gavin Sawchuk in last year’s regular season finale vs. TCU.
Oklahoma’s dominant victory over Maine has injected new life into their season. The Sooners now turn their attention back to SEC play, facing a tough challenge at Missouri.
The Tigers, despite their 6-2 record, have struggled to contain the run. They’ve surrendered 236 rushing yards to Texas A&M and 271 to Alabama. This presents a golden opportunity for Oklahoma’s powerful running game, led by the explosive Jovantae Barnes.
If the Sooners can establish a strong running game, it could open up the passing game and put pressure on Missouri’s defense. A victory over the Tigers would not only boost Oklahoma’s confidence but also make them bowl eligible, which is something that was absolutely in doubt two weeks ago.
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