Game Day, Sept. 28, 2024

gameday

September 28, 2024

The View, G3 | Player Spotlight, G5 | Scouting the Opponent, G7 | Things to Watch, G8

Gameday Recipes Ingredients 1 32-oz. package tater tots 8 slices bacon, chopped 1/4 c. freshly chopped chives

1) Heat grill to medium.

Tailgate Tots

1 container sour cream 2 Tbsp. butter

2) Spray two disposable pie plates with cooking spray and spread tater tots in a single layer in each. Grill for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. Set aside.

3) Mean while, fry the bacon in a sauté pan over medium heat, then place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 c. whole milk

4) Make the cheese sauce: In a deep-walled sauté pan over medium heat, melt butWHU 6SULQNOH LQ À RXU ZKLVNLQJ WR FRPELQH WR FUHDWH D VOXUU\ *UDGXDOO\ SRXU LQ PLON whisking the entire time, to form a thin sauce. Gradually stir in cheddar and chili powder, mixing until everything has combined. Remove sauce from heat.

1 2/3 c. sharp cheddar

5) Layer tater tots into small bowls or wide-mouthed mason jars. Top with cheese sauce, bacon, sour cream, and chives. Repeat layers until you’ve reached the top of the containers.

1/4 tsp. chili powder

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a49359/tailgate-tots-recipe/

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THE VIEW

Season saver?

If he’s the guy, the Michael Hawkins era begins today here’s the season.

Go save it Michael Hawkins.

Sorry, couldn’t help it.

Probably not fair.

This time last year, Hawkins was playing high school football at Emerson High School, part of the Frisco district even though it’s in McKinney.

Also, just six days ago, he was doing what Jackson Arnold, the heir apparent, the five-star, the next in line, the can’t-miss kid, as though any of that ever means anything, really, could not do.

How much Tennessee’s defense backed off for him remains a good question, and still it’s not like OU was completely out of it in the fourth quarter and if the Sooners had connected on a two-point conversion all of us would have been hunkering down for a very interesting onside kick with 1:19 remaining.

If you go back and watch the highlights, you may notice that not only did

T

Clay Horning GUEST COLUMNIST

No. 21 Oklahoma at Auburn When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala. TV: ABC Radio: KREF FM 99.3 / AM 1400

Hawkins lead a pair of touchdown drives, he made sound offensive football appear reasonably attainable. He made a big play or two, lots of small ones and none appeared lucky.

He completed 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and ran for 46 on 10 carries, though he was also sacked twice for See HORNING on G11

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. runs down the field during the game against Tennessee Sept. 21.

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OU FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER 0 Kalib Hicks RB 5-11 213 R-Fr. 0 David Stone DL 6-3 294 Fr. 1 Jayden Gibson WR 6-5 197 Jr. 1 Dasan McCullough LB 6-5 223 Jr. 2 Jovantae Barnes RB 6-0 207 Jr. 2 Billy Bowman Jr. DB 5-10 200 Sr. 3 Jalil Farooq WR 6-1 207 Sr. 3 Robert Spears-Jennings DB 6-1 219 Jr. 4 Nic Anderson WR 6-4 219 R-So. 4 Dez Malone DB 6-0 204 Sr. 5 Andrel Anthony WR 6-1 183 Sr. 5 Woodi Washington DB 5-11 195 R-Sr. 6 Deion Burks WR 5-9 190 R-Jr. 6 Nigel Smith II DL 6-4 267 Fr. 7 Jaren Kanak LB 6-2 223 Jr. 7 Zion Kearney WR 6-1 200 Fr. 8 Taylor Tatum RB 5-10 205 Fr. 8 Makari Vickers DB 6-1 192 So. 9 Michael Hawkins Jr. QB 6-1 204 Fr. 9 Gentry Williams DB 6-0 187 Jr. 10 Kip Lewis LB 6-1 221 R-So. 10 Bauer Sharp TE 6-4 247 R-Jr. 11 Jackson Arnold QB 6-1 211 So. 11 Kobie McKinzie LB 6-2 242 R-So. 12 Devon Jordan DB 5-11 179 Fr. 12 Brendan Zurbrugg QB 6-2 202 Fr. 13 J.J. Hester WR 6-4 202 R-Sr. 13 Reggie Powers III DB 5-11 208 Fr. 14 Jaydan Hardy DB 5-10 174 Fr. 14 Steele Wasel QB 6-3 219 R-Fr. 15 Kendel Dolby DB 5-11 185 Sr. 15 Brenen Thompson WR 5-9 165 Jr. 16 Danny Okoye DL 6-3 253 Fr. 16 Casey Thompson QB 6-0 192 R-Sr. 17 Taylor Heim LB 6-6 216 R-Fr. 17 Jaquaize Pettaway WR 5-10 189 So. 18 Kaden Helms TE 6-5 239 R-So. 18 Erik McCarty DB 6-1 185 R-Fr. 19 Jacobe Johnson DB 6-2 200 So. 19 Kade McIntyre TE 6-3 221 R-Fr. 20 Lewis Carter LB 6-0 227 So. 20 Sam Franklin RB 5-10 198 R-Jr. 21 Jeremiah Newcombe DB 5-9 182 Fr.

21 Xavier Robinson RB 6-0 222 Fr. 22 Peyton Bowen DB 6-0 200 So 22 Chapman McKown RB 5-5 174 R-Fr. 23 Eli Bowen DB 5-9 186 Fr. 23 Emeka Megwa RB 6-0 211 R-Jr. 24 Samuel Omosigho LB 6-2 236 So. 25 Andy Bass RB 5-11 208 Fr. 25 Michael Boganowski DB 6-2 211 Fr. 26 Kani Walker DB 6-2 205 R-Jr. 27 Jayden Rowe DB 6-2 223 R-So. 27 Gavin Sawchuk RB 5-11 200 R-So. 28 KJ Daniels WR 5-9 152 Fr. 28 Danny Stutsman LB 6-4 241 Sr. 29 Casen Calmus DB 5-10 196 R-Fr. 29 Gabe Sawchuk RB 5-10 185 Fr. 30 Trace Ford DL 6-2 246 R-Sr. 31 Cale Fugate DB 5-10 190 R-Fr. 31 Ashton Logan P 6-2 217 R-So. 32 R Mason Thomas DL 6-2 240 Jr. 33 Phil Picciotti LB 6-3 239 R-Fr. 34 Adepoju Adebawore DL 6-4 251 So. 34 Zach Schmit K/P 5-10 196 R-Sr. 35 Liam Evans K 5-7 181 Fr. 35 Jakeb Snyder DB 5-8 180 R-Fr. 36 Josh Plaster K/P 6-0 187 R-Sr. 38 Owen Heinecke LB 6-2 227 R-So. 39 Peter Schuh DB 5-8 184 R-So. 40 Ethan Downs DL 6-4 265 Sr. 41 Emmett Jones III DB 6-0 182 R-Fr. 42 Wyatt Gilmore DL 6-4 245 Fr. 44 Taylor Wein DL 6-4 267 R-Fr. 45 Hampton Fay TE 6-5 245 R-Jr. 45 Mykel Patterson-McDonald DB 5-10 172 Fr. 46 Dax Noles DB 6-0 192 Fr. 47 James Nesta LB 6-3 216 Fr. 48 Luke Elzinga P 6-4 229 R-Sr. 48 Jocelyn Malaska DB 6-1 186 R-So. 50 Ben Anderson LS 6-5 240 R-So. 51 Branson Hickman OL 6-2 301 R-Sr. 52 Troy Everett OL 6-3 308 R-Jr. 52 Damonic Williams DL 6-1 319 Jr. 54 Febechi Nwaiwu OL 6-4 339 R-Jr. 55 Eddy Pierre-Louis OL 6-3 305 Fr.

55 Ashton Sanders DL 6-1 295 R-Fr. 56 Eugene Brooks OL 6-3 336 Fr. 56 Gracen Halton DL 6-2 291 Jr. 57 Gunnar Allen OL 6-0 297 R-So. 58 Spencer Brown OL 6-6 321 R-Sr. 58 Ethan Lane LS 5-11 230 R-Sr. 61 Kenneth Wermy OL 6-5 305 R-Fr. 64 Joshua Bates OL 6-3 309 R-Fr. 65 Jayden Jackson DL 6-2 300 Fr. 65 Ty Kubicek OL 6-2 294 R-Fr. 66 Geirean Hatchett OL 6-5 312 R-Sr. 70 Michael Tarquin OL 6-6 317 R-Sr 71 Logan Howland OL 6-6 317 R-Fr. 72 Josh Aisosa OL 6-3 323 Fr. 73 Isaiah Autry-Dent OL 6-6 310 Fr. 74 Evan McClure OL 6-4 275 Fr. 75 Daniel Akinkunmi OL 6-6 321 Fr. 76 Jacob Sexton OL 6-6 322 Jr. 77 Heath Ozaeta OL 6-5 318 R-Fr. 79 Jake Taylor OL 6-6 309 R-So. 80 Josh Fanuiel TE 6-3 250 R-Jr. 80 Bergin Kysar DL 6-3 245 Fr. 81 Zion Ragins WR 5-8 145 Fr. 82 Ivan Carreon WR 6-6 223 Fr. 83 Major Melson WR 5-10 187 R-Sr. 84 Davon Mitchell TE 6-3 250 Fr. 85 Trey Brown WR 5-9 181 R-Fr. 87 Jake Roberts TE 6-4 252 Sr. 88 Jacob Jordan WR 5-9 182 Fr. 89 Eli Merck WR 6-0 206 R-Fr. 90 Caiden Woullard DL 6-4 259 Sr. 91 Drew Heinig DL 6-5 288 R-Fr. 93 Ace Hodges DL 6-1 284 Fr. 94 Mari Atchison DL 6-2 268 Fr. 95 Da’Jon Terry DL 6-3 323 R-Sr. 96 Davon Sears DL 6-2 295 R-Sr. 97 Kyle Carlson LB 6-3 190 R-Fr. 98 Tyler Keltner K 5-11 181 R-Sr. 99 Markus Strong DL 6-3 290 R-Fr. Last updated Aug. 7, 2024 Weights as of June 27, 2024

OU Two-Deep Roster OFFENSE QB 9 Michael Hawkins Jr. 11 Jackson Arnold RB 27 Gavin Sawchuk OR 2 Jovantae Barnes TE 10 Bauer Sharp OR 87 Jake Roberts WR 15 Brenen Thompson OR 4 Nic Anderson LT 70 Michael Tarquin 71 Logan Howland LG 76 Jacob Sexton 77 Heath Ozaeta C 51 Branson Hickman OR 64 Joshua Bates RG 54 Febechi Nwaiwu 55 Eddy Pierre-Louis RT 79 Jake Taylor OR 58 Spencer Brown SLOT 6 Deion Burks 17 Jaquaize Pettaway WR 13 J.J. Hester 7 Zion Kearney

DEFENSE

OU Availability Report OKLAHOMA WR Jalil Farroq — Out WR Nic Anderson — Out WR Jayden Gibson — Out DB Gentry Williams — Out DB Kendel Dolby — Out OL Keirean Hatchett — Out K Tyler Keltner — Out

AUBURN WR Andrel Anthony — Doubtful RB Taylor Tatum — Doubtful LB Dasan McCullough — Questionable WR Deion Burks — Questionable OL Jake Taylor — Probable

DB Tyler Scott — Out DB Champ Anthony — Out TE Brendan Frazier — Out DL Isaiah Raikes — Questionable K Alex McPherson — Questionable OL Izavion Miller — Questionable As of Wednesday’s report

LDE 40 Ethan Downs 90 Caiden Woullard DT 65 Jayden Jackson 56 Gracen Halton NT 52 Damonic Williams OR 95 Da’Jon Terry RDE 32 R Mason Thomas

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30 Trace Ford MIKE 28 Danny Stutsman OR 11 Kobie McKinzie WILL 10 Kip Lewis OR 28 Danny Stutsman CHEETAH 24 Samuel Omosigho 13 Reggie Powers LCB 26 Kani Walker OR 5 Woodi Washington SS 2 Billy Bowman Jr. 14 Jaydan Hardy FS 22 Peyton Bowen OR 3 Roberts Spears-Jennings RCB 4 Dez Malone OR 9 Gentry Williams

SPECIALISTS K 98 Tyler Keltner 34 Zach Schmit P 48 Luke Elzinga 31 Ashton Logan KO 34 Zach Schmit 98 Tyler Keltner KR 2 Billy Bowman Jr. 3 Jalil Farooq PR 22 Peyton Bowen 2 Billy Bowman Jr. LS 50 Ben Anderson 58 Ethan Lane H 36 Josh Plaster 48 Luke Elzinga As of Tennessee Game

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PL AYER SPOTLIGHT

‘He’ll have to bear a heavy burden’ Offense looking for more consistency after QB switch TARIK MASRI TRANSCRIPT SPORTS E D I TO R

The first big challenge for Oklahoma’s new-look offense turned into an almost total disaster last weekend against Tennessee.

The Sooners finished with just 222 yards of total offense and three first-half turnovers in a 25-15 loss. Through four games they rank outside the top 100 nationally in rushing yards per game (101), passing yards per game (111), total offense (119), sacks allowed (116) and third down offense (124).

“I know, again, that everybody knows that we’re not playing very well right now on offense, and we’ve got to do a good job of putting our players in position,” OU head coach Brent Venables said.

“It’s us. It’s we. It’s ours. And it’s no finger pointing. We got to do a better job.”

Just when the of fense appeared to reach its lowest point of the season, its last six plays had resulted

Oklahoma’s offense 2024 vs. 2023 Points per game Rush yds per game Yds per rush Pass yds per game Comp-Att-Int Passing efficiency Completions over 20 yds Total yds per game 3rd down percentage Sacks-yds Punts

in two fumbles, a punt and a safety, the Sooners turned to backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. The true freshman’s first four drives ended in threeand-outs, not a lot better than the Sooners were doing under Jackson Arnold, but at least they weren’t turning the ball over. However when the fourth quarter started the true impact of the quarterback switch started to become clear.

Through the second and third quarter, Oklahoma lost four yards on offense.

In the fourth, the Sooners totaled 124 yards of total

2024 2023 29.0 46.8 128.3 157.8 3.6 4.0 171.3 349.0 75-125-3 105-133-1 122.35 200.35 5 23 299.5 506.8 28 58 14-75 7-43 25 13

offense including 105 through the air. Up to that point, the Sooners hadn’t passed for 100 yards in any quarter this season.

“Biggest thing for me is just trying to stay relaxed and having our guys around me building me up and (knowing) that they’re behind me so when I get in, we can just move the ball and capitalize on big plays,” Hawkins said after the game Saturday.

A true freshman became the first against the toughest defense the Sooners have faced all season.

See SPOTLIGHT on G9

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. runs down the field during the game against Tennessee Sept. 21.

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Scouting the opponent: Auburn Tigers DAVIS CORDOVA CNHI SPORTS OKL AHOMA

Past Meetings

A bounce-back win for the Sooners is much needed — and so was a new quarterback.

No. 21 Oklahoma takes its first SEC road trip to Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN with its new starting quarterback freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Hawkins was announced the starter on Monday after a disappointing display from then-starter Jackson Arnold in OU’s loss to Tennessee last week.

Hawkins, a true freshman, will be making his first start in a hostile environment against a team that is desperate for a win.

Auburn lost last week against Arkansas 24-14 at home in an offensive struggle similar to OU’s. The Tigers also lost its second game of the year at home against California, 21-14.

Both teams have quarterButch Dill | Associated Press back questions for Saturday’s contest and both are search- Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman, left, and Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, right, talk before an NCAA college ing for its first win in the SEC football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, in Auburn, Ala. this season. with 213 yards, two touch- and will have a true quarLast week, season-starter playing time.

With that, here’s a breakterback competition for the Payton Thorne (wears No. 1) Brown started the game, downs and an interception. down on Auburn’s team: was benched before Auburn’s but threw three intercepThis week, Auburn coach starting spot against OU, OFFENSE loss for true freshman Hank tions and Thorne came in for Hugh Freeze said both quar- even though both players terbacks will have split-snaps have struggled.

Like OU, Auburn has quar- Brown (No. 15), though it the second half. didn’t take Thorne long to get Throne finished the day with the first-team offense “We as coaches have to terback controversy.

2017 (Sugar Bowl) — 35-19, OU 1972 (Sugar Bowl) — 40-22, OU OU leads series 2-0

halfway be psychologists,” Freeze said Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference. “When the quarterback position struggles and you’re trying to find answers and help them, and there’s a rotation going on — and both have had some struggles — that is a real concern.”

Beyond the quarterbacks, the Tigers are able to run the ball at times. Running back Jarquez Hunter (No. 27) 340 yards on the season, averaging 7.1 yards per rush – making Hunter 16th in the country in yards per attempt.

The Tigers also have a deep threat on the outside – if the quarterbacks can get him the ball. Wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (No. 5) caught five passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns last week and has five touchdowns on the season, which is tied for fourth in the country.

Auburn likes to establish See AUBURN on G10

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3 THINGS TO WATCH: NO. 21 OKLAHOMA AT AUBURN DAVIS CORDOVA CNHI SPORTS OKL AHOMA

1. AUBURN’S QUARTERBACK SITUATION

OU coach Brent Venables said Hawkins doesn’t have the experience yet, but it’s the coaches job to guide him to success on Saturday.

“Of course, he hasn’t been there. I say that all the time,” Venables said. “We as coaches gotta be the headlights for our players. They’ve never been a twoyear veteran, yet. He hasn’t played a whole bunch of college football. He hasn’t been to that stadium. So try to paint the picture. Accurate picture. Pump in the crowd noise, tell him to focus on the things you can control. If he’s a strong-minded guy, he’ll do that.

Try to think about the process. Think about managing things the right way, don’t try to do too much, and all those kinds of things. Then let the players around you help you, then let the coaching staff help him as well. He’ll have to bear a heavy burden, like a lot of guys.

“So you try to coach ‘em and prepare him in a week’s period of time. But we’ve been talking about going to Auburn for several months. So, if he’s been paying attention, this isn’t the first time he’s hearing about it.”

Auburn has had a week-long quarterback competition and, although the Tigers have not announced a starter, both quarterbacks have been on display this season.

Season-starter Payton Thorne started the first two games and was benched after a loss to California after throwing four interceptions in the game.

Backup Hank Brown has started the past two games and threw four touchdowns against New Mexico, but threw three interceptions in the first half against Arkansas last week and was benched in the second half for Thorne.

A whirlwind of a quarterback controversy for the Tigers is troublesome, but interesting for the OU defense.

The OU defense has feasted this season on shaky quarterback play and kept last week’s loss to Tennessee close against one of the best quarterbacks 3. JACOBE JOHNSON’S MOVE in the SEC. It will be interesting to see, first, who starts the TO WIDE RECEIVER game for Auburn, but also see how OU’s defense OU’s wide receiver depth has been massively pressures the quarterback. depleted with injuries to Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony, Jayden Gibson and Jalil Farooq. Some of 2. MICHAEL HAWKINS JR. AGAINST the offensive struggles for the Sooners can be credAUBURN’S PASS RUSH ited to the lack of wide receiver experience, but a Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. is safety hopes to turn some of that bad fortune into a getting his first start of his young career on Satur- better flowing offense. day at Auburn against a tough defense that applies Jacobe Johnson, a former 4-star athlete from a lot of pressure.

Mustang, is switching from safety to wide receiver to Auburn is an average SEC defense and its biggest help alleviate the wide receiver struggles this season.

Venables said it may not be this week when Johndeficiency is mobile quarterbacks – which Hawkins son makes the move, but who knows, OU leading is.

Last week in Auburn’s loss to Arkansas, Razor- receiver Deion Burks is questionable for the Auburn back quarterback Taylen Green rushed for 118 yards game and if he is out, OU would have just one and had multiple first-down runs on key third and receiver with more than 100 yards active (tight end Bauer Sharp). fourth downs.

If the Sooners experience more trouble or injuries Hawkins will have chances to flash and scamper from the Tigers’ defense, but it is his first start while to their wideouts, Johnson could get playing time sooner rather than later. also going on the road in OU’s first SEC road trip.

STATS TO KNOW TARIK MASRI T R A N S C R I P T S P O R T S E D I TO R

scored 44-13 including 10-0 last week.

30 12 Oklahoma is tied for first nationally with 12 turnovers gained this season, including two last week against Tennessee. Eight of those turnovers have come by fumble, which is two more than the next most nationally.

Auburn is ranked last nationally in turnovers lost with 14 and has thrown eight interceptions. The Tigers are second-to-last nationally in turnover margin, with four forced turnovers.

Oklahoma hasn’t lost a game over the past two seasons in which it has won the points off turnovers battle.

The Sooners are 10-0 when outscoring their opponent off turnovers and 0-3 when they don’t.

In those losses they’ve been out-

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The Tigers’ defense is ranked 79th nationally in passing defense, but has done a solid job allowing 219.8 yards per game. They’ve had as many interceptions (four) as touchdowns allowed and are 30th nationally in defensive passing efficiency.

32 Oklahoma’s depth chart last week was made up of 32% freshmen, or 25 total players. Eight of the nine offensive lineman to start for the Sooners this season have never started a game with the program before this year.

Tarik Masri is the sports editor for The Transcript covering OU athletics and area sports. You can reach him by emailing tarik@normantranscript.com

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Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU defensive back Kani Walker during the game against Tennessee Sept. 21.

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SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED FROM G5

Hawkins only threw four passes before entering the final quarter, but completed three of them for 27 yards.

Facing 3rd and 3 early in the fourth quarter, Hawkins got time in the pocket and delivered a confident throw over the middle to Jaquaize Pettaway for a 19-yard gain.

It was the Sooners’ longest passing play since the Tulane game.

The Sooners’ new quarterback handled the ball on every play of the 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive and looked natural doing it.

Hawkins finished 11 of 18 with 132 passing yards and 154 yards of total offense.

It wasn’t enough to pull the Sooners out of the hole they had dug themselves, but it was good enough to give earn him the starting job heading into this week’s game agains Auburn. Hawkins will be the sixth true freshman to start a game for the Sooners at quarterback.

“He’ll have to bear a heavy burden, like a lot of guys,” Venables said. “So you try to coach ‘em and prepare him in a week’s period of time.”

He’ll also be the first OU quarterback to play on the road in the Southeastern

Conference.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is the 11th-largest stadium in the college football with a capacity of 88,043, just ahead of Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

“He hasn’t been to that stadium. So try to paint the picture,” Venables said.

“Accurate picture. Pump in the crowd noise, tell him to focus on the things you can control. If he’s a strongminded guy, he’ll do that.”

Venables also indicated that simplifying the offense will play a role in preparing the Sooners to operate under a new quarterback. One of Arnold’s biggest struggles

this season has been in his decision making on plays involving a run-pass option.

Mistakes on those decisions can result in negative plays that stall drives before they get started. Venables said the coaching staff can do more to make the offense less complicated.

“We could un-complicate and tell him to hand the damn ball off,” Venables said. “You don’t have to have an RPO to have a good play.”

Tarik Masri is the sports editor for The Transcript covering OU athletics and area sports.

You can reach him by emailing tarik@normantranscript.com

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OU Football Schedule Oklahoma 51, Temple 3 Oklahoma 16, Houston 12 Oklahoma 34, Tulane 19 Tennessee 25, Oklahoma 15 Sept. 28 at Auburn, 2:30 ABC BYE WEEK Oct. 12 vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m. ABC or ESPN Oct. 19 vs. South Carolina, 11-Noon Oct. 26 at Ole Miss, 11-Noon Nov. 2 vs. Maine, 1:30 p.m. ESPN+ or SECN+ Nov. 9 at Missouri, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

BYE WEEK Nov. 23 vs. Alabama, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

Nov. 30 at LSU, 2:30-3:30 or 5-7 p.m.

Kyle Phillips | The Transcript

OU’s Michael Hawkins Jr. passes during the Sring game, Saturday, April 20, at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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AUBURN CONTINUED FROM G7

the run with its strong offensive line and talented running back, but w ith Auburn’s quarterback struggles, the Sooners may stack the box and force the Tigers to pass.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables sa id Aubur n’s offense is better than what has been on display so far this season.

“They have excellent backs and have three starters back from last year upfront,” Venables said. “They have long, strong, athletic tight ends.

Use tight ends and multiple backs. Hunter is a spectacular player. His play design is really good, I think it’s elite.

A year ago, they didn’t have the receivers they have now.

The (run-pass option) opportunities are there. They’ve hit several explosive plays that way. I betcha they’re saying

ARKANSAS 24, AUBURN 14 Arkansas 0 7 7 10 — 24 Auburn 0 0 7 7 — 14 Second Quarter ARK — J.Jackson 1 run (Ramsey kick), 14:47.

Third Quarter AUB — Lambert-Smith 10 pass from Thorne (McGough kick), 5:44.

ARK — Sategna 58 pass from Green (Ramsey kick), 2:03.

Fourth Quarter ARK — FG Ramsey 43, 12:04.

AUB — Lambert-Smith 67 pass from Thorne (McGough kick), 9:50.

ARK — J.Jackson 1 run (Ramsey kick), 3:38.

A — 88,043.

ARK AUB First downs 21 17 Total Net Yards 334 431 Rushes-yards 55-183 26-146 Passing 151 285 Punt Returns 0-0 2-1 Kickoff Returns 0-0 3-61 Interceptions Ret. 4-31 2-33 Comp-Att-Int 12-28-2 20-35-4 Sacked-Yards Lost 3-27 2-10 Punts 3-49.667 3-44.0 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards 4-20 5-45 Time of Possession 36:36 23:24 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Arkansas, Green 18-80, J.Jackson 22-75, Russell 9-22, R.Hill 3-14, Singleton 1-0, (Team) 2-(minus 8). Auburn, Hunter 12-67, Alston 3-38, H.Brown 2-12, Thorne 5-10, Simmons 2-8, Chapman 1-6, Cobb 1-5.

PASSING — Arkansas, Green 12-27-2-151, Singleton 0-1-0-0. Auburn, Thorne 13-221-213, H.Brown 7-13-3-72.

RECEIVING — Arkansas, Armstrong 5-47, Sategna 3-85, R.Hill 1-7, Russell 1-7, L.Hasz 1-3, Washington 1-2. Auburn, Lambert-Smith 5-156, Simmons 5-44, Fairweather 4-40, Coleman 2-15, R.Lewis 1-13, C.Brown 1-11, Pe.Thompson 1-9, Alston 1-(minus 3).

MISSED FIELD GOALS — Arkansas, Ramsey 41.

they can’t get out of their own turnovers last week, which meant shorter times on the way sometimes.” sideline for the defense, but DEFENSE the Tigers’ defense was still The Auburn defense has tough on the Razorbacks’ shown strength, especially offense. when facing quick resting Through four games, the periods.

Tigers’ defense has allowed When the offense gives 16.75 points per game while away the ball, it’s detrimen- also being the last team in tal to the defense as well. FBS in time of possession.

The Auburn offense had five The Auburn defense is, on TENNESSEE 25, OKLAHOMA 15 Tennessee 10 9 3 3 — 25 Oklahoma 3 0 0 12 — 15 First Quarter TENN — FG Gilbert 27, 3:45.

OKLA — FG Keltner 37, :42.

TENN — Thornton 66 pass from Iamaleava (Gilbert kick), :03.

Second Quarter TENN — safety, 9:12.

TENN — Sampson 1 run (Gilbert kick), 1:40.

Third Quarter TENN — FG Gilbert 41, 6:03.

Fourth Quarter OKLA — J.Barnes 2 pass from Hawkins (kick failed), 8:25.

TENN — FG Gilbert 32, 3:35.

OKLA — J.Barnes 1 run (run failed), 1:01.

A — 84,701.

TENN OKLA First downs 14 16 Total Net Yards 345 222 Rushes-yards 52-151 34-36 Passing 194 186 Punt Returns 2-12 5-30 Kickoff Returns 1-0 0-0 Interceptions Ret. 1-17 0-0 Comp-Att-Int 13-21-0 18-34-1 Sacked-Yards Lost 3-14 3-27 Punts 8-48.375 7-51.0 Fumbles-Lost 2-2 4-2 Penalties-Yards 10-82 3-32 Time of Possession 35:41 24:19 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING — Tennessee, Sampson 24-92, Bishop 16-65, Iamaleava 8-15, White 1-(minus 7), (Team) 3-(minus 14). Oklahoma, Hawkins 12-22, Burks 2-18, Tatum 3-14, Barnes 8-12, Gav.Sawchuk 2-(minus 2), Franklin 1-(minus 3), (Team) 1-(minus 4), Arnold 5-(minus 21).

PASSING — Tennessee, Iamaleava 13-21-0-194. Oklahoma, Hawkins 11-18-0-132, Arnold 7-16-1-54.

RECEIVING — Tennessee, B.McCoy 4-92, White 3-13, Thornton 2-73, Staes 2-8, E.Davis 1-8, Ch.Brazzell 1-0. Oklahoma, Sharp 4-36, Burks 4-32, Pettaway 3-79, B.Thompson 2-18, Roberts 2-11, Barnes 2-0, Ragins 1-10.

MISSED FIELD GOALS — None.

average, on the field the longest among any other defense in the country with 38 minutes per game.

The defense w ill face another scrambling quarterback in Hawkins on Saturday.

The past two weeks, the Tigers have played scrambling quarterbacks. In the Arkansas game, Razorback quarterback Taylen Green rushed for 118 yards.

Hawk ins w i l l present a similar challenge from Arkansas for the Tigers’ defense on Saturday.

“I feel he wants to tuck that ball,” said Auburn safety Jerrin Thompson. “He’s a pretty good quarterback and has a good arm. I’m very familiar with this offense and what they like to do.

“As a defense, if we can disguise looks and give him some hard time reading the defense, it’d be an exciting night. We just eliminate the run game and what they want to do, then we’re going to have them on their heels a little bit.”

Paxson Haws | The Transcript

OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. runs down the field during the game against Tennessee Sept. 21.

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24 in losses. Whatever, by the time the fourth quarter arrived, he was on top of things, unafraid and, holy cow, executing.

No game on the SEC road is bound to be easy, but today’s opponent, Auburn, is by all means beatable, having topped Alabama A&M and New Mexico, while falling to Cal and Arkansas, neither of which is terrific.

You hope Hawkins is just one of those guys. Not a five-star and for some not a four-star, but just a guy who knows how to do it, who just keeps playing the game he’s always played at every prior level, only now at a new one.

Guys like that are uncommon, but exist.

They’re wide-eyed, but not intimidated, never shellshocked.

“He hasn’t played a whole bunch of college football, he hasn’t been to that stadium,” Venables said of the process to get Hawkins ready to start his first game. “So you try to paint an adequate picture … tell him to focus on the things [he] can control.

“If he’s a strong minded guy, he’ll do that. Think about the process, think about managing things the right way, [not] try to do too much and all those kinds of

11 THE AP TOP 25 The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Sep. 21, total points based on 25 points for a firstplace vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking: Record Pts Prv 1. Texas (44) 4-0 1527 1 2. Georgia (13) 3-0 1482 2 3. Ohio St. (5) 3-0 1432 3 4. Alabama 3-0 1328 4 5. Tennessee 4-0 1283 6 6. Mississippi 4-0 1269 5 7. Miami 4-0 1139 8 8. Oregon 3-0 1073 9 9. Penn St. 3-0 1051 10 10. Utah 4-0 1037 12 11. Missouri 4-0 1009 7 12. Michigan 3-1 805 18 13. Southern Cal 2-1 690 11 14. LSU 3-1 637 16 15. Louisville 3-0 553 19 16. Notre Dame 3-1 546 17 17. Clemson 2-1 540 21 18. Iowa St. 3-0 530 20 19. Illinois 4-0 458 24 20. Oklahoma St. 3-1 388 14 21. Oklahoma 3-1 375 15 22. BYU 4-0 327 23. Kansas St. 3-1 168 13 24. Texas A&M 3-1 77 25 25. Boise St. 2-1 69 Others receiving votes: Washington St. 67, Indiana 63, Boston College 55, UNLV 53, Pittsburgh 37, Nebraska 25, Iowa 24, James Madison 11, South Carolina 7, Liberty 4, Arkansas 3, UCF 3, Arizona 2, SMU 2, Navy 1.

Hybl against Texas, inside the Cotton Bowl, on Oct. 6, 2001.

It’s the way Sam Bradford went from scout team MVP in 2006 to a stunning redshirt freshman season in Paxson Haws | The Transcript 2007, playing like a veteran from the start just because OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. runs down the field during the game against that was who he was.

Tennessee Sept. 21.

Indeed, Sooner football, for a very long time, was all It’s the awareness Jason Of course, he must know things.” about being led by quarterthe plays, not get away from White brought, long before Or maybe he won’t think at all. Maybe he’ll just … do. his fundamentals, maintain he started chasing Heisman backs with “it” and Michael Hawkins needs no more Trophies, to audible into focus and play smart.

That’s really it, isn’t it? stars by his name to have But the separator is always an option pitch for a touchWhat the Sooners need that. down to Quentin Griffin behind center is not the guy beyond those things, even “He’s confident, he’s loose in his first offensive series beyond coaching and you that needs coaching up in in the right ways,” Venables in relief of an injured Nate know it when you see it. the worst possible way.

said. “The moment’s not going to overwhelm him even though, again, he’s a young guy …

“He’s a great competitor, got a tremendous amount of talent and he cares.”

What could go wrong?

Overcoming his offensive line will be tough. Also, playmakers find ways to make plays and OU should always claim a quarterback capable of that.

He’s already done it against a great team, just in an all-but-over game.

Maybe today he’ll do it from the start.

Enjoy the game and discover if you have unclaimed property.

It takes less than a minute! ČȈȴɥȢʰ ɰƺƃȶ ɽȃlj ĂĄ ƺɁǁlj ɽɁ ˎȶǁ Ɂʍɽ Ȉǹ ɽȃljɨljԇɰ ȴɁȶljʰ ʥƃȈɽȈȶǼ ǹɁɨ ʰɁʍӝ