Drake Stoops has huge game after passionate early week speech
The Oklahoma Sooners dominated the West Virginia Mountaineers in Norman on Saturday. The offense played the best it has played since their win over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane or Texas Longhorns.
Dillon Gabriel threw for more than 400 yards and set a program record with eight touchdowns, five through the air and three on the ground. Drake Stoops, fresh off a passionate message earlier this week, set a career-high with 164 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The yardage total broke his previous career best from a week ago in Bedlam.
Stoops spoke with the media after the game about what was different about the offense.
“Executing plays,” Stoops said. “But I think just staying on schedule. Staying in a rhythm. Not getting behind the sticks with dumb presnap penalties or even post-snap penalties. Whether it’s running the ball and instead of losing yards, we’re getting a couple of yards here, a quick pass there, and making it a third and manageable.”
The Sooners were great on third down going 8 of 14 on the day. But it wasn’t just Stoops’ own team that noticed how well he’s been playing.
West Virginia Mountaineers Coach Neal Brown said of Stoops’ performance, “Drake Stoops is a hell of a football player. Now, this might be his biggest night receiving, but he really is a hell of a football player. He’s one of those kids that you don’t appreciate when you’re going against him, but then you watch the tape and you’re like, ‘Man, that kid’s maximizing his talent.’ He’s a good player. He’ll go play in the NFL, which is good for him.”
Earlier in the week, Stoops said this season isn’t over, and there is still a lot to play for. He spoke of having pride in the University of Oklahoma and pride in the work he puts in. It was a message that garnered attention nationally. Then on Saturday, he didn’t just let his words fall to the wayside. Instead, he let his play do the talking.
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