Oklahoma vs. Tulsa: Sooners Players of the Game

Sep 14, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Gabe Lynn (9) knocks the ball away from Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back Trey Watts (22) during the first half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Gabe Lynn

Last week, Lynn won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. This week, he was almost ejected from the game in the first quarter. The call came on a great defensive play where Lynn lowered his shoulder and leveled Tulsa running back Trey Watts, to break up a touchdown.

The officials called a penalty, claiming that Lynn led with his helmet. They also ejected Lynn from the game. He never led with the helmet and made a clean hit on the play. There is a new rule that says coaches can ask for a replay and after the officials watched the replay, they realized they were wrong and Lynn was allowed back into the game.

What makes the rule bad is that they couldn’t eliminate the penalty, so Tulsa got a fresh set of downs and scored their first touchdown of the game. Needless to say, Mike Stoops and Gabe Lynn were angry.

“My deal is he went in with his shoulder, you know what I mean?” Stoops said after the game. “I thought he hit him clean with his shoulder. Did he or didn’t he? Did he hit him with his head?

“I thought it was a clean hit.”

It was a clean hit, and although Lynn was mad, he let his talking be done on the field. On Tulsa’s very next drive, Gabe Lynn intercepted a Cody Green pass and set up the Sooners next drive to take a 24-7 lead. Lynn never recorded a tackle in the game, but the hit and the interception kept the defense playing strong all game. Lynn now leads the team with two interceptions on the season.