Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Should Sooner fans be concerned looking ahead?

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Kell Walker #5 of the Army Black Knights dodges linebacker Curtis Bolton #18 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Kell Walker #5 of the Army Black Knights dodges linebacker Curtis Bolton #18 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Black Knights 28-21 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

Tackling needs to improve

Kenneth Murray and Curtis Bolton both had career days in the number of tackles they were credited with against Army. That was largely the result of the number of snaps they played in the game and the inordinate number of offensive plays executed by Army. While the number of tackles stands out on the stat sheet, its the ones that aren’t recorded (the missed tackles) that are more telling and can potentially decide the outcome of a game.

Tackling has been a disturbing trend  for the Sooners this season, and it was a problem again this past Saturday. Army ball carriers were able convert several third-and-long opportunities on Saturday when OU defenders were there to make the play but failed to wrap up and get the runner to the ground. This also applies on receiving yards after the catch. This part of the game needs to get cleaned up quickly or it could be a long, tumultuous slog the next two months.

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