Some report cards go on the fridge to show off. The Sooners' report card from the 2024 football season, though, would more likely end up in the trash before even making it home to parents.
Oklahoma went 6-7 this season, finishing with a losing record for the second time in three years under Brent Venables. The Sooners were 2-6 in conference play in their inaugural season in the SEC.
After time to grade since OU's 21-20 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, the Sooners' 2024 report card for each unit is here.
Offense: F
At first an F seemed too harsh, but ultimately, the offense is why the Sooners failed more than they passed this season. Even if graded on a curve compared to past OU offenses, the 2024 offense was still a failure.
The man calling the offensive plays, Seth Littrell, made it only halfway through the season before losing his job because the offense was so bad. Things improvement somewhat with Joe Jon Finley calling plays and Kevin Johns coaching the quarterbacks, but OU still finished near the bottom of the FBS in total offense.
The Sooners' biggest struggle was in the passing game, averaging 175.8 passing yards a game, which was second-worst in the SEC. OU shuffled between two young quarterbacks with turnover issues, but no quarterback probably could have succceeded in the situation with poor play-calling, a historically bad offensive line and the five best receivers on the team injured most of the season.
Defense: A
This defense will probably never get the recognition it deserves because of that losing record, but 2024 could have been even so much worse.
Under Zac Alley, who has since left to West Virginia, the Sooners gave up 21.54 points and 280 yards a game. OU's defensive stats didn't necessarily ace the season, but this unit was solely responsible for the Sooners' two biggest wins of the season and getting bowl eligible.
Kip Lewis had a pick-6 to ultimately seal OU's 27-21 victory over Auburn and notch the Sooners' first-ever SEC win.
Then against No. 7 Alabama, Venables put the game on the defense's shoulders and prevailed 24-3 to reach six wins. It was the first time since 2011 that Alabama didn't score a touchdown in a game. And, again, Lewis had a massive pick-6 in the second half.
Special teams: C
There was nothing bad about OU's special teams this season, but also nothing spectacular. That makes for average.
Juggling between two kickers, the Sooners were 16-for-20 on field-goal attempts and perfect on PATs. Punting, Luke Elzinga averaged 42.28 yards a punt and his contributions to OU's solid defensive year was underrated.
The Sooners were the most lackluster in the return game, looking shaky early on while averaging only 18.92 yards a return on kickoffs and 7.96 on punts.