How did the Oklahoma Sooners grade out in their win over Cincinnati?
The Oklahoma Sooners opened Big 12 play with a win that characterizes the growth of this team so far in 2023. It wasn’t a 48-45 game that we grew accustomed to during the Lincoln Riley era.
It was a 20-6 defensive battle where field position and run defense were the key components of the win.
This is what defensive football looks like. Don’t turn the ball over, run the ball, stop the run, win on third down, and win the field position battle.
The Oklahoma Sooners are taking on a new identity under Brent Venables, and while they didn’t light up the scoreboard vs. Cincinnati, they did what they needed to do to get a win on the road in a tough environment.
Here’s a look at this week’s report card.
Quarterback: B
It would be easy to write off Dillon Gabriel’s performance against Cincinnati because of the misses, but he still had a good day.
He completed 68% of his passes for more than 300 yards, threw a touchdown, and ran for a score. It was a good day that could have been great had he not coughed the ball up inside the 10-yard line or missed Jalil Farooq and Jayden Gibson for would-be touchdowns.
But he did more than enough to help the Sooners get the W.
Running Back: B+
The running game has come under fire this season for its lack of production. It wasn’t great against Cincinnati, but they made enough plays in the second half to help Oklahoma win the game.
Marcus Major picked up a big 3rd and 19 with the Sooners backed up to the goal line. Major ended up averaging 4.2 yards per carry with 81 total yards in the effort. His day could have been even bigger, but had a long run called back due to holding.
Tawee Walker’s biggest contribution came in the passing game, where he caught two passes for 27 yards, showing off his hard running style to pick up a key first down.
Oklahoma’s running back rotation is a mystery week-to-week, but for this week, it was Major’s rock to tote. It was a good performance, especially in the second half against a strong run defense.
Wide Receiver: A. A.
The Sooners get two As in honor of the man who’s leading the way at wide receiver, Andrel Anthony.
The dude is simply a playmaker. His 49-yard reception was an incredible contested catch where he showed off tremendous athleticism and concentration to fight through what should have been pass interference to make the grab.
Anthony ended the day with a team-high 117 yards on seven receptions. He’s a bonafide star.
Nic Anderson scored again for the second straight week and has a team-leading four touchdown receptions.
Jalil Farooq and Jayden Gibson could have had better stat lines had Gabriel been more accurate.
It was a good day overall that could have been even better.
Tight End: D
Tight end has arguably been the worst position group on this team. Austin Stogner received the lowest grade on offense from Pro Football Focus, and Blake Smith earned the fourth lowest grade from the win.
They aren’t providing much in the passing game and aren’t consistent in the run game.
It’s an issue that the coaching staff needs to resolve. Sure, they’ve had health issues at tight end, but it might be time to give someone else an opportunity or utilize some formations that don’t require a tight end.
Offensive Line: B+
The Sooners have struggled to run the ball all season, so to struggle against a top-15 run defense is not surprising. It’s only alarming because this is Oklahoma, and at Oklahoma, you’re supposed to run the football as well as anyone in the country.
Still, Bill Bedenbaugh, Jeff Lebby, and the offensive line made adjustments to perform significantly better in the second half of the win over Cincinnati.
In the first half, the Sooners ran for 35 yards on 18 attempts. A paltry 1.94 yards per carry. In the second half, the Sooners gained 70 yards on 16 carries for a much better 4.37 yards per carry.
Dillon Gabriel was under pressure on just eight of his 42 dropbacks. That’s a fantastic rate that will win Oklahoma a lot of games this season. This unit has been really good in pass protection this season. If they can figure out the running game, which history suggests they will, they’ll be humming.
Defensive Line: A+
The Oklahoma Sooners defense had Emory Jones under pressure on 40% of his dropbacks. When he was pressured, he was just 4 of 11 for 31 yards and an interception.
It was a good day against the run as well, holding a top 10 rushing offense that game into the game averaging five yards per carry to under four yards a tote in the win.
Notably, Ethan Downs tied for the team lead in pressures with four. Marcus Stripling and Gracen Halton had three pressures a piece and true freshman Adepoju Adebawore had a pair of pressures of his own. One of those pressures from Adebawore nearly led to a strip sack of Emory Jones.
This group is getting better each week.
Linebacker: A+
Once again, Danny Stutsman was phenomenal, finishing with a team high 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Making his first start of the season at Cheetah, Dasan McCullough was really good. He finished with seven total tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. He also earned a pair of pressures in the win.
Jaren Kanak has become one of Oklahoma’s best pass rushers. He was having a huge impact in the game before being forced to leave with an injury. His status will be one to watch this week as the Sooners get ready for Iowa State.
Cornerbacks: A
Perhaps the most noticeable difference with the Oklahoma Sooners this season is the aggressive style of the defensive back group. Whether it’s Woodi Washington in coverage or Gentry Williams in run support, the cornerbacks are playing good football.
Woodi Washington led the Oklahoma Sooners in snaps and continues to be a stabilizing force for the defense.
The penalty on Williams was an iffy call at best and probably should have been allowed to play on. The first-year starter was targeted six times and allowed three catches for 21 yards and just five total yards after the catch.
Kani Walker finished with 45 snaps in the game and earned the sixth-highest grade among Oklahoma defenders vs. Cincinnati. He was targeted five times and only allowed two receptions for 11 yards.
Safeties: A+
There isn’t a position group on the roster playing better than the Sooners safeties. Key Lawrence had an interception and is in the midst of a breakout season. He earned Pro Football Focus’ highest grade from the win.
Safeties earned four of the top six grades from PFF.
Billy Bowman notched his first interception of the season on a tip drill that required impressive reaction time and flexibility to come up with the turnover. He also added a pressure, three tackles, and a stop.
Peyton Bowen continues to flash each week and, against Cincinnati, had a critical pass breakup in the end zone. Bowen also had five total tackles in the game.
Due to the injury to Reggie Pearson, Robert Spears-Jennings saw his first extended action of the season with 20 snaps. He looked good back there, providing even more depth to the position.
Special Teams: B+
When you’re a good defensive team, you need your special teams to be good as well. On Saturday it was good. It could have been great.
Zach Schmit was 2-for-2 on his field goal attempts and hit both extra points. He’s now 4-for-4 on field goals and 23-for-23 on extra points. His kickoffs have been on point. He’d get an A+ because there’s not much more you can ask from him.
Josh Plaster had a solid game, with three punts downed inside the 20. However, the 29-yard punt just before halftime put Cincinnati in position to collect points. In a defensive battle, field position means everything and you can’t hand your opposition and opportunity at three points. Overall it was a solid game, but you can’t have the shank.
Jalil Farooq and Gavin Freeman only had one opportunity each to return a kick, but neither did much with it. They also didn’t hurt the Sooners either.
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