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gameday

November 2, 2024

The View, G3 | Gameday Info, G4 Player Spotlight, G5 | Scouting the Opponent, G6 Things to Watch, G7

Gameday

1. In a large saute pan, brown the sausage. Drain.

2. Cut cream cheese and processed cheese into cubes, and place in slow cooker.

3. Add Boudreaux’s sauce, corn, diced tomatoes and Daddy Hinkles seasoning. Cover. Cook on low until cheese is melted (1-2 hours), then turn heat to low.

4. Serve with tortilla chips and vegetables. https://www.miocoalition.com/recipes/tailgate-sausage-cheese-dip/

1 lb Greers Ranch House spicy pork sausage

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1 (16 oz) package processed cheese

1/4 cup Bourdreauxs Sweet and Tangy Swamp Sauce

1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles

1/4 teaspoon Daddy Hinkles dry seasoning

What’sleft forSooners?

As Venables talks big game, smaller things remain achievable

Give it up to Brent Venables, the man can cover his bases.

Honestly.

Because he said something this week that a guy like me, who looks for holes in others’ arguments while trying to keep them out of my own, can appreciate.

“If we get out of our own way, if we don’t beat Oklahoma, if we do the things that winning requires, even though we have [many] down with injuries,” Venables said, “if we do that, and it’s hard, it’s always going to be hard … But if we do that, we can play with anybody, we can beat anybody that we play against.”

I’m not sure that’s true but, thankfully, erasing all mistakes is unlikely to be required to beat Maine, today’s opponent atop Owen Field, the Black Bears not

Oklahoma vs. Maine

When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

TV: ESPN+ and SECN+ Radio: KREF FM 99.3 / AM 1400

even an FBS program but an FCS program, limited to 63 scholarships, 22 fewer than Oklahoma.

Also, whether what Venables said is true or not, seeing a quote like that doesn’t make me think, hey,

Clay Horning GUEST COLUMNIST

Paxson Haws | The Norman Transcript

OU coach Brent Venables before the Oklahoma Sooners competed against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Oct. 19.

OU FOOTBALL NUMERICAL ROSTER

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.

24 Samuel Omosigho LB 6-2 236 So.

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.

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.

OU Two-deep Roster

Oklahoma

WR Nic Anderson — Out

WR Jayden Gibson — Out

WR Andrel Anthony — Out

WR Jalil Farooq — Out

DB Gentry Williams — Out

DB Kendel Dolby — Out OL Geirean Hatchett — Out

OL Jacob Sexton — Out

RB Gavin Sawchuk — Questionable TE Kade McIntyre — Questionable

RB Sam Franklin — Questionable WR Deion Burks — Questionable Availability reports are only released for conference games. Statuses based on past reports and updates from head coach Brent Venables.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

‘They’re going to be phenomenal’

Venables impressed with development of freshmen safeties

TARIK MASRI TRANSCRIPT SPORTS EDITOR

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables spoke with absolute confidence about the futures of Michael Boganowski, Jaydan Hardy and Reggie Powers.

“All three of those guys, we crushed it with those guys,” Venables said.

The trio of freshmen safeties have seen time in almost every game this season, but it’s been limited. The Sooners have depth in the back end of the secondary with Billy Bowman, Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings.

Still, Venables has been impressed with what he’s seen from the freshmen since they stepped on campus. The Sooners’ head coach made it clear he isn’t going to take anything for granted heading into a late-season matchup with FCS foe Maine, but he’s hopeful the game could provide opportunities for young players to get valuable reps.

Morgan Givens | University of Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s Jaydan Hardy has seen plenty of game action as a freshman safety.

“They’ve done a really nice job,” he said. “You always find windows to get them in the game. Sometimes it works

for you, get them in get them out, but … they’re taking legit number two reps all season long. There’s going to be a

cumulative effect of that and it’s going to pay off and it is paying off in their development.”

Boganowski, a three-star recruit from Junction City, Kan., first showed flashes of his physicality in the spring

2024 OU Schedule

game. At 6-2, 214 pounds, Boganowski is about the same size as Will linebacker Kip Lewis and a fearless hitter according to his coaches and teammates.

Hardy and Powers each fit the same mold, though are slightly smaller. Both were four-star recruits coming out of high school.

“Man, I’m really excited about those guys,” Venables said. “I mean, I think they’re going to be phenomenal. And, no coach speak that’s just what I’ve seen and they’ve got great mindsets. They’re tough

See SAFETIES on G9

Scouting the opponent: Maine Black Bears

DAVIS CORDOVA CNHI SPORTS OKLAHOMA

The Maine Black Bears are on the rise.

The Black Bears, who will be visiting Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman on Saturday to play Oklahoma at 2 p.m., have had two bad seasons the past two years, but in coach Jordan Stevens’ third season, the Black Bears have matched their win total from the past two seasons combined.

In Stevens’ first two seasons, the Black Bears won just four games, but this season, Maine is 4-4 with wins over Coalgate, Merrimack, Albany and Villanova.

The Black Bears, though, are coming into Saturday’s game off of a 24-14 loss to FCS No. 15 Rhode Island.

The Black Bears tied up the game early in the fourth quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Brian Santana-Fis, but the Rams were able to score a touchdown less than three minutes later and put away the game with a field goal in the middle of the quarter.

Maine had a tough time moving the ball with 336 total yards, but especially had trouble on the ground, gaining just 57 rushing yards on 30 attempts.

Last meeting

1st Meeting All-Time

OU vs. FCS

2021 — vs. Western Carolina (W, 76-0)

• 2020 — vs. Missouri State (W, 48-0)

2019 — vs. South Dakota (W, 70-14)

2012 — vs. Florida A&M (W, 69-13)

2009 — vs. Idaho State (W, 64-0)

2008 — vs. Chattanooga (W, 57-2)

1999 — vs. Indiana State (W, 49-0)

• 1991 — vs. North Texas (W, 40-2)

• 1987 — vs. North Texas (W, 69-14)

• Now FBS programs

Maine is in the middle of the pact in FCS and in the Coastal Athletic Conference, but are stoked to get the opportunity to play an SEC opponent on Saturday.

With that, the Maine Black Bears are heading into Norman as a massive underdog, but Stevens said the chance to play in a massive stadium in an environment as good as OU’s is a massive moment for

the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial

his team and players.

“Just a huge opportunity for our players to get the opportunity to play in that type of environment,” Stevens said. “It does create extra buzz and motivation for our team. I think the players will be fired up to play and go compete and it will be a good day.

“Just gotta go down there and let it rip and play football and compete in one of the best conferences in the country.”

19.

Tatum 9-42, Arnold 24-39, Sharp 1-(minus 1). Mississippi, Parrish 15-44, Dart 8-24, Bentley 5-5, Pegues 1-1, (Team) 1-(minus 2), Wells 1-(minus 3).

— Oklahoma, Arnold 22-31-0-182. Mississippi, Dart 22-30-0-311. RECEIVING — Oklahoma, Sharp 8-53, J.Jordan 6-38, Barnes 5-57, Hester 1-19, Roberts 1-8, Franklin 1-7. Mississippi, Prieskorn 5-71, Lee 4-59, Watkins 4-59, Wright 3-54, Wells 3-39, Parrish 2-3, M.Davis 1-26. MISSED FIELD GOALS — None.

Photos by Paxson Haws | The Norman Transcript OU’s defensive line as the Oklahoma Sooners competed against

Stadium on Oct. 19.

OU defensive lineman Ethan Downs makes a tackle against South Carolina on Oct.

TARIK MASRI TRANSCRIPT SPORTS EDITOR

Oklahoma will be facing an FCS opponent for the fourth time in the last sixth seasons, but just the ninth time overall.

If you add up the combined points scored by the Sooners’ opponents in those games, Oklahoma would still have outscored them in all but one of those games. The Sooners desperately need some momentum to carry into the final three games of the season.

Since the start of conference play they’ve only scored more than 15 points once — 27 in their lone win against Auburn. The Sooners have only played in one game all season in which they led comfortably heading into the fourth quarter.

If they can get an early lead against the Black Bears it could serve as a much-needed tune-up before facing Missouri, Alabama and LSU.

Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s game:

1. OFFENSIVE LINE BUILDING CONFIDENCE

The stats haven’t been pretty for Oklahoma’s offensive line this season, but it’s hard to find a more difficult stretch of opponents than the one the Sooners have faced over the last several weeks. The Black Bears won’t have that level of future NFL talent on the field.

As bad as the Sooners’ strug-

3 THINGS TO WATCH

Haws | The Norman Transcript

An OU fan is lifted into the air as the Oklahoma Sooners competed against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Oct. 19.

gles have been this year, many have become exacerbated due to the elite athletes they’ve been facing week in and week out. It’s not that the unit doesn’t have lots of things to improve on, but a lack of confidence and overthinking will create mistakes that are typically easy to avoid.

The Black Bears are ranked 28th in the FCS in sacks per game with 2.5 and had seven two weeks ago against Villanova.

The Sooners have had a different starting offensive line in seven of their eight games so far this season and will be needing to replace left tackle Jacob Sexton who was injured against Ole Miss.

Freshman Isaiah Autry-Dent was moved from the scout team to the varsity team ahead of last week’s game and could see his first playing time on Saturday.

2. CHEERS NOT BOOS

It’s been a long time since Oklahoma fans have had something to celebrate at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It’s been over a month since their last home win (Sept. 14) and almost all of the Sooners’ games have been close or a blowout loss.

It’s hard to take too much satisfaction out of a beatdown over Maine, but the program needs it right now. Then again, if the Sooners don’t take care of busi-

ness on Saturday the frustration will once again be at an all-time high.

They’ve only had 12 plays over 20 yards at home so far this season and just four since the start of conference play.

Sometimes teams will enter a game like this and continue to work on their key plays, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Sooners be aggressive early in the game.

3. INJURED RECEIVERS ON THE FIELD

Andrel Anthony actually started the Sooners’ season opener after missing the back half of last season with an injury. Still, he only played a few snaps and hasn’t seen the field since.

Nic Anderson has also been absent despite playing a few drives early in the season. Head coach Brent Venables remains optimistic that some of the Sooners’ injured receivers will be able to return to the field this season. No availability report was released this week because they’re only required for conference games. While it seems unlikely that any of the injured wide outs will receive substantial playing time, it might be another good opportunity for them to test their health in a game setting.

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

5 STATS TO KNOW

The Sooners haven’t lost to a non-ranked non-conference opponent in 48 games dating back to a 41-24 loss to UCLA in 2005. They enter Saturday’s game having lost their last two games at home. The last time they lost three straight home games was 1997.

22

Jackson Arnold tied a season high with 22 completions in last week’s loss to Ole Miss. The Sooners threw for 182 yards and finished with 329 yards of total offense.

19

The Sooners have set a school record for sacks allowed in back to back games. Last week they allowed seven in the second half against the Rebels. They currently rank last in the FBS in sacks allowed with 4.8 per game. They rank last in the SEC in rushing yardage at 116.5 yards per game, but they’ve lost 127 yards in their 26 sacks allowed.

137

Despite the Sooners’ offensive struggles, running back Jovantae Barnes has started to find his groove over the past two games. He’s had 33 carries the last two games for 137 yards for an average of just over four yards per carry.

The Sooners’ defense has played 101 drives so far this season and has only allowed touchdowns on 17 of those drives. 63 of those drives ended in a punt, turnover, safety or turnover on downs.

Tarik Masri, Transcript Sports Editor

Paxson

PennState’sAllartopslistofailingQBsingamesinvolvingTop25teams

ERIC OLSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quarterback health is among the major Week 10 storylines for games involving Top 25 teams.

Penn State coach James Franklin said Drew Allar’s availability might not be known until game time of Saturday’s matchup between the No. 3 Nittany Lions and No. 4 Ohio State in Happy Valley.

Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said he was in wait-and-see mode with Eli Holstein for the No. 18 Panthers’ game at No. 20 SMU, and the Mustangs’ Kevin Jennings is questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said he was optimistic Kurtis Rourke will return for the No. 13 Hoosiers’ game at Michigan State.

Texas Tech’s Behren Morton is questionable for the Red Raiders’ game at No. 11 Iowa State, which will be trying to go 8-0 for the first time in program history.

Michigan’s situation for its home game against No. 1 Oregon got clarity Monday when Jack Tuttle announced he was giving up football following a fifth concussion. Davis Warren will make his second straight start and fifth of the season.

Allar injured his left knee in last week’s win at Wisconsin and did not play the second half. Beau Pribula, who led Penn State to a 28-13 win, would get the start if

Allar can’t play.

Holtstein left Pitt’s win over Syracuse with an undisclosed injury. Nate Yarnell, who started two games last season, replaced Holstein and would be the starter against

SMU if Holstein is out. Jennings was hurt late in SMU’s overtime win at Duke.

Rourke injured the thumb on his right (throwing) hand against Nebraska two weeks ago. He had surgery and missed last week’s game against Washington with Tayven Smith playing in his place.

Morton hurt his left shoulder in the first half against TCU and was replaced by

freshman Will Hammond.

Morry Gash | Associated Press

Penn State’s Drew Allar (15) throws during the ﬁrst half of a game against the Wisconsin Saturday, in Madison, Wis.

SAFETIES

CONTINUED FROM G5

guys mentally, they’re tough guys physically.”

Hardy showed his bigplay ability in his first game with the Sooners against Temple. The freshman picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards.

Still, it’s been one of the few moments the freshmen have been able to shine so far this season.

Boganowski and Hardy have been credited for playing in all eight games, but most of their playing time has been on special teams. Boganowski leads the three in tackles with five.

Through eight games the Sooners have had five different players record an interception and are second nationally with 26 takeaways.

“These guys, this week is every bit as important as last week was,” Venables said. “It’s the same message. You’re hopeful that you’ll get an opportunity early in the game to go in there and continue to gain really valuable experience and really help us win.”

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

HORNING

CONTINUED FROM G3

maybe this band of Sooners are actually much closer to respectability than has appeared.

Instead, I wonder if Venables and staff are any good at this coaching thing at all, because if all that stands in OU’s way is getting out of its own way, how bad must the coaching be given the Sooners’ season-long futility.

If they’re good players, they should play well.

Right?

Here’s the kicker.

Venables wasn’t finished.

“That may not be popular for people to hear and everybody who wants to find negative in all of it,” he said. “That’s cool, too, but I know what I know.”

See?

He anticipated how a quote like that might be taken negatively and decided, you know what, he doesn’t care, he knows what he knows.

I feel bamboozled.

Perhaps the only real way to respond is to hope Venables is right, to hope this team, despite injuries at wide receiver, despite not having a great running back, despite sporting a horrendously-porous-at-best offensive line and a first-year

starting quarterback still learning his way, can still be a good team, even this season, because the head coach does, in fact, know what he knows.

Argue amongst yourselves.

From this space, however, what’s still achievable appears simple, not so ambitious, and can begin today against Maine.

One, just as it seemed before the season began, for even then it appeared the Sooners would be playing behind a makeshift line without a great running back, so much depends on Jackson Arnold’s development and today’s an opportunity for him to enjoy

a big game, gain some confidence and feel like he can still be the man again.

Giving Michael Hawkins such a long tryout in the top spot, through the entirety of the Texas game, did Arnold no favors, but he’s been good lately, completing 40 of 67 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, despite being sacked over and over and over again his last two Saturdays.

And because the intimidation factor should be nil and the athletic advantage should be great, it’s also a chance for that much maligned offensive line to prove, at least to itself, it

knows what it’s trying to do, and if it can do that against the Black Bears maybe it can do it again against a nonetoo-great Missouri squad a week from today.

Indeed, taking that kind of step might be required for line coach Bill Bedenbaugh to keep his job.

Even the defense can find its game again.

It was good enough to win at Ole Miss if only the offense might have duplicated its first-half success in the second, and still the third quarter was abominable, the Rebels gaining more than 10 yards per snap.

And though it may not matter by the spring, what

lay in front of OU remains a canvas upon which offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley may continue spreading his wings, and he looked pretty good last week, too, given his first opportunity to coordinate and call plays.

None of it may lead to any victories after today, but it might and the Sooners badly need the extra practice time six wins and a bowl game would afford.

Venables sees a vastly bigger world of possibilities available to this team than most of us.

Good for him.

On a smaller scale, big things remain for OU to salvage.

Paxson Haws | The Norman Transcript

OU defensive lineman Adepoju Adebawore tackles his opponent as the Oklahoma Sooners competed against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Oct. 19.

Franklin has an Ohio State problem. The Buckeyes have beaten the Nittany Lions seven straight times, and in three of those seasons it marked Penn State’s first loss (2017, 2018, 2023).

Penn State is the higherranked team for the first time since 2017 and, based on the second half against Wisconsin, feels good about its chances even if Allar can’t play.

Ohio State is coming off a one-point loss at Oregon and a flat performance in last week’s 21-17 home win over Nebraska. The Buckeyes have injury and performance issues on the left side of the offensive line, and the running game is struggling.

Until Penn State clears the Ohio State obstacle — and with Allar’s status unknown — the bettors are going with the Buckeyes. BetMGM Sportsbook lists Ohio State as a 3 1/2-point favorite.

HEISMAN WATCH

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel has moved to the top of the BetMGM Sportsbook list of Heisman Trophy candidates with 12-to-5 odds, and he and the top-ranked Ducks have outscored their last two opponents 73-9 entering its game at Michigan on Saturday.

Gabriel threw for 291 yards

and three touchdowns and ran for another score in last week’s 38-9 win over Illinois. He has completed a nationleading 76.2% of his passes for 296.4 yards per game. More big numbers are possible. Michigan’s pass defense isn’t as stingy as its recent iterations.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

2 — FBS teams that have not trailed in a game (Indiana, Army).

3 — Georgia’s consecutive wins over Florida by 20-plus points entering their game in Jacksonville, Florida.

4 — San Diego State’s consecutive games decided by three points or less, matching the longest streak in the FBS since 2016.

7 — Middle Tennessee’s starting offensive line combinations, most in the nation.

13-1 — Tulane’s road record since 2022 entering its game at Charlotte.

UNDER THE RADAR

Louisiana-Monroe (5-2, 3-1 Sun Belt) at Marshall (4-3, 2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

This feels like a pivotal game for first-year coach

Bryant Vincent and his ULM Warhawks, whose 5-1 start was the best in their 30 years as an FBS program. Last week’s 46-17 loss at South Alabama was a gut punch, and now they go on the road to play a Marshall team that’s 4-0 at home.

The Warhawks’ only winning FBS season was 2012. Since then ULM is 46-92, and only six teams have lost more games. Terry Bowden was 10-26 overall and 5-19 in the Sun Belt from 2021-23. ULM would be bowl-eligible with a win over Marshall and remain in the thick of

the Sun Belt race. A loss makes things dicey with the remaining schedule made up of opponents even or ahead of the Warhawks in the league, plus a game at Auburn.

HOT SEAT

The Trent Dilfer experiment at UAB might be winding down. The 52-yearold is 5-14 in his second year as a college coach.

UAB passed over Vincent, who took the Blazers to a bowl as interim coach in 2022, to hire the Super Bowlchampion quarterback and

successful Tennessee high school coach. The problem was Dilfer had no coaching or recruiting experience at this level.

The Blazers are 1-6 entering Saturday’s home game against Tulsa, the only win coming against Alcorn State of the FCS. One of his four wins last season was against FCS team North Carolina AT&T.

Dilfer’s contract runs through the 2027. He would be owed $3.6 million if he gets fired after this season.

Ben McKeown | Associated Press

SMU’s Kevin Jennings (7) carries the ball past Duke’s Alex Howard (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday.

Matt Freed | Associated Press Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein (10) carries as he’s defended by Syracuse defensive back Devin Grant (23) during the ﬁrst half of a game, Oct. 24, in Pittsburgh.