Five Takeaways From the Sooner Football Loss to Texas

Lincoln Riley Wilts In The Limelight

Sep 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end Mark Andrews (81) scores a touchdown in front of Tulsa Golden Hurricane safety Jordan Mitchell (13) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Lincoln Riley’s offensive game plan didn’t help matters: instead of compensating for Texas’ pass rush by bringing extra blockers or using short screens to counter the blitz, Riley stuck with the original offensive blueprint. Many Sooner fans are shocked that Mark Andrews, a huge 6-5 target with speed to burn, did not catch a single pass against Texas.

Another questionable development was the reluctance to stick with the running game. By the end of the game, Samaje Perine had only 10 touches for 36 yards, while Joe Mixon had six touches for 24 yards. Did Oklahoma give up on the running game too soon, considering that Mixon and Perine had 4.0 and 3.6 yards per rush?

Perhaps Riley panicked once Oklahoma fell into a 14-0 hole, but that occurred very early in the contest. There was still time to stick with the running game and get Perine and Mixon going; instead Oklahoma spent the rest of the game watching Mayfield running for his life as Texas blitzed and receivers failed to get separation.

The failures to adjust the scheme in the face of Texas’ blitz-happy defense and to utilize Andrews in the passing game fall squarely on Oklahoma’s coaching staff.

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