Game Grades: Oklahoma Sooners 52, Tulsa Golden Hurricane 7

The Defense

Defensive Line: A

Oklahoma’s 330 pound defensive tackle – Jordan Phillips – had the highlight of the day for the defensive line by forcing and then recovering a fumble from Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans, rumbling 70 yards down field for a touchdown.

The only problem was the play was called back because of a penalty and Phillips would have to settle for just a fumble recovery, without the touchdown and with the extra calories burned on the wind-sprint.

The Sooners were able to hold Tulsa to just a few descent runs and kept the Hurricane to 94 total rushing yards on the day.

“Reporters like you guys are always asking me, have I found a home yet? I think my home’s the end zone.” – OLB Geneo Grissom via NewsOK

Linebackers: A

While Phillips may have missed out on his touchdown, linebacker Geneo Grissom was able to put points on the board with his 38 yard interception return for a touchdown. Grissom had the quote of the day in the postgame.

In response to his third career touchdown Grissom said via The Oklahoman, “Reporters like you guys are always asking me, have I found a home yet? I think my home’s the end zone.”

While the linebacker as a whole played outstanding, the story of the day came thanks to walk-on linebacker Caleb Gastelum. The Claremore native came up with an interception and was rewarded by Bob Stoops with a game ball and a scholarship.

Secondary: B

The Sooners will have to be graded in the secondary on a bit of a curve for this game. Before the injury to Zach Sanchez the secondary look dominant and left little to no breathing room for the Hurricane receivers.

Sanchez has now intercepted a pass in four of the past five games for Oklahoma.

After the injury freshman Jordan Thomas filled in and played decent, but Tulsa was finally able to move the ball with Sanchez out of the way.

Tulsa ended the day with 234 yards passing on 27 of 50 attempts. That’s not a bad effort by the secondary considering Evans threw so many passes, but the Sooners clearly need Sanchez to be healthy next week when Tennessee comes to Norman.

Special Teams: A

As usual the Sooners graded out well in the special teams. Michael Hunnicutt stayed perfect on the season hitting his only field goal from 38 yards and making all of his extra point attempts.

Jed Barnett was solid averaging 39 yards on six punts.

Neither team was able to get anything going in the return game. So far this season the Sooners look to be pretty good in covering kicks and punts. Tulsa was only able to return three of the six punts for a total of three yards.

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