OU football focusing on 'present' tense in trying to avenge last year's rout vs. Texas

NORMAN — Most OU players have been pretty buttoned up when discussing Saturday’s matchup with Texas (11 a.m., ABC) and any lingering effects of last year’s shellacking at the hands of the Longhorns.

“I mean, you know, it’s discouraging — a 49-0 loss, but that’s in the past now,” Sooners cornerback Woodi Washington said. “So, we’re not really too much worried about it. We’re just focused on ourselves and trying to go get a dub.”

Of course, that’s largely by design.

Sooners coach Brent Venables limited the players that were made available for interviews this week, citing the cranked up outside attention and his perception that players were asked questions to try to bait them into delivering bulletin-board material.

But still, some reality slipped through the cracks.

Sophomore wide receiver Jayden Gibson parroted one of Venables’ favorite lines after Saturday’s win over Iowa State.

“Focus on where your feet are, be in the present,” Gibson said.

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But before and after that, Gibson offered at least a slight glimpse into what the matchup with the Longhorns means and the lingering effects of last season’s blowout.

“I’m not going to talk nothing about next week,” Gibson said, before taking a turn. “Everybody knows what time it is. Everybody in our locker room knows what time it is. I know what time it is. I’ve been trying to keep next week out of my mind for the last two weeks.”

Gibson then delivered the company line message from Venables before continuing.

“Last year, it hurt real bad and everyone remembers it and that’s all that needs to be said about that. We need to have a great week of practice, a dedicated week of practice, we need to make sure that we’re executing on the highest levels.”

There was nothing inflammatory, or even surprising, about what Gibson said, but it was at least an acknowledgment that this isn’t just another game and last year’s game doesn’t have any kind of effect.

The Sooners are not only trying to stay undefeated, vault themselves into the College Football Playoff discussion and make up for last year’s embarrassment, but also to avoid the Longhorns gaining some momentum in the series.

Texas hasn’t won back-to-back games in the series since 2008-09.

“Usually you say the momentum a year ago shouldn’t have anything to do with this year,” Venables said. “We’ve got a much different team. Many of the players in our locker room weren’t here. But there’s certainly many that were. I don’t want to skirt over that issue. But it’s always important.

"I want to win every year. Every game, whether it’s this week or was last week. … We need to play well this week. That’s the expectation, that’s what we’re working for, that’s what we’re preparing for, that’s what our guys should expect.”

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Since the series restarted in 1929 after a short absence, the Sooners have lost to the Longhorns 12 times by 20 or more points.

Heading into Saturday’s game, the Sooners are 3-8 against Texas in the year following such a blowout.

The biggest areas of encouragement for OU going into this year’s Red River Rivalry is the improvement of the Sooners’ defense and the health of Dillon Gabriel.

OU is fourth nationally in points allowed per game, fifth in turnover margin and 10th in third-down defense.

“We’re a much-improved team,” Washington said. “We’re excited to go out for our first real test of the season, you could say. We’re excited for that.”

Then there’s Gabriel, who went through warmups last season but ultimately missed the game with a concussion suffered a week earlier in a loss to TCU.

Gabriel said balancing the emotions of the matchup could be tricky, but said he didn’t want to tamp down the emotions either.

“I think there’s not such a thing in terms of, you know, when you get out there life happens and people get excited for the moment,” Gabriel said. “But I think it’s just trying to stay present and on a schedule with how we prepare every week and keeping it that way as much as possible.”

OU vs. Texas

KICKOFF: 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (ABC)

More: OU football hopes Red River Rivalry forecast matches the 'beautiful day' from 2011 win

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU vs Texas football: Sooners trying to leave 2022 loss in the past