Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Five takeaways from return of Sooners’ spring game

By Chip Rouse

Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with the team after the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with the team after the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mario Williams (4) makes a catch as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback D.J. Graham (9) defends during the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mario Williams (4) makes a catch as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback D.J. Graham (9) defends during the spring game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

The OU defense looks ready to turn the corner

The defensive performance was truly impressive, made even more so by the fact that it was going up against one of the most prolific offensive teams in college football. You had to see the game to truly appreciate the mastery. The first six offensive possessions ended in fourth-down stop, 44-yard field goal, punt, 41-yard field goal, lost fumble and punt.

You can imagine Lincoln Riley felt some frustration playing the role of offensive coordinator in this game and calling the plays against the defense. “During the actual moment when I was calling a play, yes (it could be frustrating),” Riley told reporters after the game. “But the second it (the play) is over, I’m glad they’re (the defense) on my team.”

The depth of the defensive position groups — even with several starters sitting out — stood out in the game. Riley was particularly impressed with the defensive line play as well as the performance of the defensive backs.

Freshman safety Jordan Mukes  led the defense in tackles with six. Another freshman, Billy Bowman, a converted wide receiver, played well at nickelback.

Other defensive highlights included a fumble recovery by junior Josh Ellison of a ball dropped by freshman wide receiver Mario Williams, and redshirt senior Bryan Mead tackled sophomore running back Mikey Henderson in the end zone for a safety.

There are “a lot of things that you love,” the Sooner head coach said about the defensive unit. “I feel that we have a chance to be good at all three levels,” but he cautioned, “having a chance to be good and (actually) being good are two different things.”

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