Oklahoma starters Branson Hickman, Jalil Farooq leave season opener with injuries

In the first quarter of Oklahoma‘s season-opening showdown against Temple, offensive lineman Branson Hickman went down with an injury. He walked off the field on his own power but headed to the Sooners’ locker room later in the quarter.

Oklahoma wide receiver Jalil Farooq also left the game with an unspecified injury in the first frame. Shortly after heading to the sidelines, Farooq also went back to the team’s locker room for further inspection. If either injury is significant, it would be a major loss for Oklahoma.

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Hickman transferred to Oklahoma this offseason after spending four years with SMU. In the 2023 campaign, Hickman played and started in all 14 games for the Mustangs.

For his efforts, he was named an All-AAC Second Team member and a DCTF All-Texas Second Team member. After redshirting his true freshman season with the team, Hickman saw action in 37 games with the program.

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Led by Hickman, SMU’s front five only allowed 16 sacks this past season, tied for the 13th-least in the country. More specifically, SMU only gave up 1.14 sacks per game. Hickman hopes to provide Oklahoma with similar protection this season.

Meanwhile, Farooq is entering his senior year with the Sooners. In his first three years at OU, Farooq made 34 appearances and 23 starts. He caught 86 passes for 1,229 yards (14.3 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns.

Additionally, he recorded 32 carries for 235 rushing yards (7.3-yard average) and returned 32 kickoffs for 708 yards (22.1-yard average). Now, the Sooners will anxiously await further news on Branson Hickman and Jalil Farooq as they march forward in the first half.

Brent Venables addresses DeMarco Murray’s suspension

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables addressed on Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference the NCAA discipline — including a one-game suspension for running backs coach DeMarco Murray — for impermissible recruiting contact. Venables explained that the situation was, in a way, affirming.

“I won’t really comment on whether or not this is the week or not but in situations like these, despite the nuances and the particulars, we have to take responsibility and move on and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” Venables said.

He also declined to confirm when Murray would serve his suspension. However, after Murray wasn’t seen on Oklahoma’s sideline on Friday, fans assumed Murray was serving his suspension in Week 1.