OU fans get first look at new padding at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Things look a little different at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium now, but it was definitely a needed update.

OU added padding over the brick barrier behind the end zone at the stadium ahead of the Sooners hosting Ole Miss on Saturday. OU head coach Brent Venables mentioned a few weeks ago that this addition was likely coming after wide receiver Keontez Lewis crashed into the brick wall during the Sooners' last home game against Kent State on Oct. 4.

Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium gets update

Lewis was trying to catch an overthrown pass when he dove headfirst into the brick barrier on OU's second play against Kent State. He ultimately avoided any serious injury from the incident, but was down for over 10 minutes before getting carted off the field. The scary scene ultimately prompted the change, which many OU fans also asked for after the incident.

"I mean, that was a scary situation I think for everyone in that stadium and it kind of made my heart stop for a little bit just because of how much I enjoy being around Keontez, how much I love Keontez and the type of kid that he is and thinking about everything that he has in his personal life, too," OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said. "I mean, that was a really scary situation."

After being on the road the last two weeks, Saturday's top-15 matchup against Ole Miss is the Sooners' first home game since the possible changes were announced and was everyone's first chance to see the new addition, which was installed earlier in the week.