Oklahoma football: Takeaways from OU’s 52-42 victory against #19 Kansas

Oklahoma football hosted #19 Kansas on Saturday donning the Prentice Gautt uniforms, which also featured the word unity in the place of each player’s name. While the new alternates got a mixed review from Sooner Nation, I will go out on a limb and say I thought they were awesome.

The best part? Oklahoma won 52-42 against the Jayhawks, halting the three-game skid heading into the much-needed bye week. The Sooners desperately need it for health and exhaustion. Oklahoma scored first and set the tone by racking up over 700 yards of offense, and 497 by halftime. The return of Dillon Gabriel was key for the offense to look dynamic.

The good

How about offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, that man faced a lot of criticism throughout the week, and rightfully so. But boy did he dial up a heck of a game today. The Sooners attacked every area on the field and were efficient at running and passing the ball. You cannot ask for a better gameplan, or a game called. The Sooners racked up the most yards by halftime since they beat Missouri in 1986.

Dillon Gabriel was back, and better than ever. I thought DG8 played his best game of the year. He was accurate at every level on the field and played with incredible confidence. He was smart running the football, ensuring he could avoid as much contact as possible. He had strong command.

The young studs shining! Jovantae Barnes, Robert Spears-Jennings, and Gavin Freeman all made their presence felt today. Barnes was overshadowed by Eric Gray but was a stud on the ground today, he is likely the best overall back on the roster. Gavin Freeman made a sensational deep ball grab that had the attention of the home crowd. Robert Spears-Jennings looked incredibly athletic, and let his presence be known with some big hits. The future is awfully bright at Oklahoma.

The offensive line is the best unit on this team, and it may not be all that close. They were dominant in every aspect of the game, and truth be told they looked the part even in the brutal losses over the last three weeks. The “Bill Bedenbaugh has lost his touch” crowd is feeling pretty awkward right about now. This unit may be the best line in the country. If not, they are awfully high on that list.

The bad

The Sooners did an absolutely pitiful job of taking care of the football. Dillon Gabriel dropped the ball trying to do a fake pitch, threw a knuckle-headed interception, and then was stripped by his own teammate in freshman RB Jovantae Barnes. Not only are each of these turnovers the main reason why the Sooners gave up most of the points they did in the second half, they also prevented better separation. Oklahoma won the game by ten but likely win by 20+with ease without these mistakes.

The defense did have its moments, but they were not always great. OU gave up a long 40+ yard run (yes I know Ugwoegbu was held) right before halftime, and did not finish on a few plays, one of which resulted in a 38-yard score to open things up for the Jayhawks. Oklahoma was better in the sense that there we no obvious or major busts, and tackling improved. Big step overall in the right direction for Oklahoma football, as they head into the bye week.

The Oklahoma football play of the game

CJ Coldon made about as incredible of an interception as you will ever see. Reaching up high and knocking the ball down to himself. This might be the play of the year in College Football.

Players of the Game

Offense: QB Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel may not be the best player Oklahoma has, but he is clearly the most valuable. Aside from a few uncharacteristic turnovers, Gabriel was flatly outstanding in today’s contest. Gabriel threw for 403 yards, accounted for two touchdowns through the air, and added another on the ground.

Defense: S Key Lawrence

You could not go but a few plays without mentioning Key Lawrence today. He was everywhere. He came up and was physical and a big help against the run, he also had two passes defensed, and his day could only have been better if he had held onto that would-be interception. Five Solo tackles from your safety are something you’ll take, and the idea of pairing him with Billy Bowman is tantalizing.

Conclusion

Oklahoma is a totally different offense, and thus a totally different team with Dillon Gabriel in the line-up. The Sooners have sorely missed QB1 for the six-and-a-half-quarters of absence. Brent Venables did his best coaching job of the season as well this week. Oklahoma doesn’t lose games 49-0, it simply isn’t something that happens, and yet it did last week to Texas.

Despite the 3-3 record, and three-game skid, it was clear the Sooners came out with high energy and wanted to prove themselves. OU came out hungry, they wanted to play well for themselves and their coach. Brent and his staff came under fair criticism over the last few weeks, and OU struggled with two of the worst losses in school history in back-to-back weeks. This week the staff simplified things for the players on defense, which paid dividends, and OC Jeff Lebby called his best game of the year.

Big picture the Sooners head into the bye week which they desperately need to get healthy, and rejuvenated. Billy Bowman is sorely missed, and now that Key Lawrence is up and moving, having that tandem back together will be huge. With the emergence of CJ Coldon and the known strength of Woodi Washington that defensive backfield could soon be the strength, it was thought to be rather than a liability.