SoonerScoop Sights & Sounds: OU 51, Temple 3
OU did what it was supposed to do in the 51-3 victory against visiting Temple. Just get the job done and move on toward the next week.
And SoonerScoop video editor Eddie Radosevich was back doing what he does. The Sights & Sounds from the Week 1 win.
Head coach Brent Venables
“All of their work and their effort over the last several weeks and months to get to this moment. Got a chance to win 51-3 and play really well in some spots. Had some superlatives. We played 84 players tonight, and really proud of the defense. Thought the defense from start to finish really played outstanding. Six sacks, nine tackles for loss, forced six turnovers and scored a touchdown. First time I think we’ve had six turnovers in a game since 2003. We only had six forced fumbles last year, we had four tonight. I loved how aggressive and confident our guys were moving around, flying at the ball, being aggressive in knocking the ball loose. Fantastic job.
“Coach Alley got game ball in his debut. Pretty solid. If we don’t have a penalty, you never know. We might’ve gotten a shutout. But just really liked our positioning overall, the cleanliness, the aggressiveness we played with on defense.
“Our offense, they scored six of our first eight drives. We created a lot of shot fields. Four turnovers in the first half, they converted it to two touchdowns and two field goals. Had a few issues getting into a good rhythm at times on offense. I thought Jackson played really efficiently. He was 17-of-25 but he had four drops. Gotta make those plays. One of them would’ve went for a ways, but thought he played really efficient. But there’s a few decisions, whether you give it or throw it, that we’ve gotta get cleaned up. But thought he played efficiently.
“It’s good to get Mike Hawkins in the game and that group of guys. We played a bunch of young guys both at the skill positions and guys up front. Thought they did some really good things. We went in with a simple, clean game plan structurally and scheme-wise. We felt that’s what we needed to do in order to win. But got a lot to clean up. We had some substitution issues in some of our special teams units, but Keltner was three out of three of 50, 42 and 24 yard field goals. Luke punted the ball well. Averaged 43.8. I thought outside of one, we probably could’ve fielded one punt that we let hit the ground. But thought Peyton did a nice job, as well. Our coverage units were pretty good.
“I thought it was a good win with plenty of things that we can get better in all three phases. So good to get something on the tape. We have some video evidence of both good and bad to learn and grow and get better as a team and improve moving forward. Every week, things are going to get a little bit more challenging with the opponents in front of us. But playing tonight gives us an opportunity to get an extra day of rest and recovery and preparation for Houston in a week.”
