Five Takeaways From the Sooners’ Victory Over West Virginia

The Receiver Corps Is Quickly Becoming a Strength

Oct 3, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Durron Neal (5) celebrates with wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) after scoring a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, Oklahoma’s receivers consisted of Sterling Shepard and everyone else. And,while Shepard is still a force to be reckoned with who requires a defense’s complete attention, there is no doubt that the rest of OU’s receivers are fast blossoming into a fearsome bunch. In this game, Oklahoma’s receivers combined for fourteen catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns, a stellar day.

Much ballyhooed JUCO transfer Dede Westbrook paced all receivers with five catches for 107 yards. But perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was sophomore Michiah Quick, who hauled in three passes for 69 yards. If Quick continues to improve, defenses are going to have an awful time trying to stop the Sooner Air Raid as they must contend with multiple receiving threats.

Shepard, Durron Neal and Mark Andrews caught all three OU scores. It is critical that Oklahoma’s receivers continue to progress; there may come a game when the defense falters and the Sooners must outlast the opposition in a shootout. A salty receiver corps will come in handy in those instances when teams forget how to play the defensive side of the ball.

Next: Baker Mayfield Continues to Impress