At the buzzer takeaways: OU defense delivers in otherwise rocky outing
CINCINNATI – All week the question for OU was about showing everybody it was a different team in 2023 instead of 2022.
That a 3-0 start this time under Brent Venables was a sign of progress, not just a fortunate schedule. It’s still not perfect, but the Sooners are 4-0 after a 20-6 victory at Cincinnati to begin Big 12 play Saturday afternoon.
Your at the buzzer takeaways.
Takeaway No. 1: Defense carries the day
Another week, another outstanding outing from linebacker Danny Stutsman. All over the field in the first half. Violent at the point of attack. Reading the gaps and making plays.
Key Lawrence came up with a big interception in the end zone in the first half. And Billy Bowman earned one of his own in the fourth quarter.
This was a big moment for the defense to once again show it is for real. To show the improvement from the latter half of 2022.
And once again, it was a lot of different names coming up big in different moments. And it was one last turnover on downs that sent the 38,000 fans home.
Stutsman had 13 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.
Takeaway No. 2: A ‘what should have been’ day for the offense
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the offense racked up plenty of yards. They made a lot of big plays. But man, they left a lot out there. Some easy touchdowns. Some miscues that somehow didn’t come back to bite them.
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Gabriel threw for more than 300 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Andrel Anthony had a terrific day, showing his versatility as not just a deep ball guy. Anthony had seven catches for 117 yards.
When it was good, it was good. But when it was off, it was a big yikes. We knew UC would test the OU offense. And now we know there is still a lot of work left to be done to get where OU wants to be.
Takeaway No. 3: So about the OU running game
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said earlier this week he was going to start to ride the hot hand at running back. Guess the hot hand, right now, is Marcus Major and Tawee Walker.
It wasn’t always effective. It wasn’t always executed well. But those were the two that received every carry from the position.
Major and Walker and the offensive line enforced their will a bit in the second half. They definitely came through with some clutch moments. But it’s not clicking just yet after four games.
Major rushed for 63 yards on 15 attempts.
Up next
OU (4-0, 1-0) hosts Iowa State next Saturday 6 p.m. on FS1.
