Brent Venables provides insight on Tawee Walker's absence against UCF

Tawee Walker wasn’t available in Oklahoma’s narrow 31-29 win over UCF this weekend. On Tuesday, OU head coach Brent Venables provided insight behind the running back’s absence.

“Brent Venables says he still expects running back Tawee Walker to be back and available this week after he served an in-house suspension against UCF,” CBS Sports’ Tom Green wrote on Twitter.

Walker is the team’s second-leading rusher this season, boasting 239 yards and four touchdowns on 53 carries. Further, Walker has seven receptions for 66 yards in the 2023 campaign. The 5-foot-9 junior is Oklahoma’s only running back with a 100-yard rushing game this season (117 against SMU).

Walker is in his second season at Oklahoma after transferring in from Palomar Junior College. During his first season with the Sooners, he made 11 appearances, tallying 62 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Although Walker did not play against UCF, the Sooners’ backfield had a massive day. Oklahoma rushed for 189 yards in the outing. For reference, OU averages 168.3 rushing yards per game, ranking 51st in the country. Oklahoma’s running backs weren’t the only ones who stepped up in the close call.

Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel proud of his team

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense got off to a slow start on Saturday, following their big victory over the Texas Longhorns and a subsequent bye week, but he ended up accumulating a solid 253 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. 

“Man, we came out slow and we let them hang in there, but I just loved the way we finished, and with adversity, we found a way to win,” Gabriel said. “UCF’s a damn good football team, as well. Credit to them, playing their butt off, and then us coming out with the win, is the main thing.”

Additionally, Gabriel elaborated on how the Sooners were able to get their run-game working in the fourth quarter, but he didn’t want to reveal too much.

“Slight adjustment,” Gabriel explained. “You know, in the run game … and then just the guys running downhill. You know, they killed it. They played their butts off. Hats off to them, and then of course the o-line, setting the tone upfront.”

With Walker back this week, the Sooners will be even more dangerous. On Saturday, Oklahoma will face off against the Kansas Jayhawks at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.