Oklahoma vs. Tulsa: Sooners Players of the Game

Sep 14, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Corey Nelson (7) tackles Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Cody Green (7) during the game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Shannon

The OU linebackers continue to play well, reminding people of why OU is known to some fans as Linebacker U. While Corey Nelson remains the leader of the defense, he played a little off in this game. Lucky for him, his fellow linebacker picked up the slack.

Nelson did finish with two pass break ups to go with his five tackles, but Shannon was an absolute terror on the field, finishing with 10 total tackles in the game. This was another game where the defensive line kept letting the running back get through, but Shannon was there to stop him time and time again.

While Trey Watts looked like he was always making plays, he only ran for 62 yards and caught five passes for another 65. He would have had a lot more than that it not for the Sooners in the middle. Shannon was the big star here, and the big thing to remember is that he knows he could have played better.

“I think we did well for the most part, we had a lot of young players out there,” Shannon said. “But we weren’t as good as we were the past two weeks. The defense just has to keep coming strong and working hard at practice.”