“I wanted to see fight, I wanted to see guts, I wanted to see courage, I wanted to see physicality… I wanted to see belief,” he mentioned. “And we saw that tonight with our guys.”
We all did.
The Sooners had been a 10-point canine, but misplaced by three. Their beginning offensive line included no beginning offensive linemen.
Their operating again contingent didn’t embody Eric Gray, who’d gained 52.6 % (1,366) of their floor yards (2,599) and 66 % of their floor yards gained by operating backs (2,071) … but OU gained 253 complete and 212 between true freshmen operating backs Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk.
Defensively, the ultimate quantity was not fairly, 587 yards allowed, however the Sooners gave up simply 11 first-half factors, turned the Seminoles over on downs 3 times and with an interception as soon as, held them to a area aim late, making additional time a extra reachable aim, all of it towards an offense that had been buzzing and suffered not a single decide out, similar to the Seminole protection.
Good present.
Stipulated.
Venables added, “Winning is incredibly important and that’s the standard and expectations that are here at Oklahoma,” however counterpointed that thought with, “You have no regret when you put everything you’ve got into it and that’s what this football team did.”
The downside, nevertheless, is it could seem the gamers are immediately operating in entrance of the coaches and no matter their ceiling is likely to be subsequent season, the yr after and so forth, that’s no place to be.
Given three weeks to put together for one sport, what was left of OU’s roster not solely entered Thursday prepared to play, however truly developed over the preparation interval, getting higher, growing actual chemistry and it’s a tribute to program and the work ethic and tradition Venables is making an attempt to instill.
Still, sport administration was an actual challenge for Venables and workers this season and all people is aware of it.
Too usually we heard offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby inform us on Monday one thing he regretted having accomplished on Saturday and too usually it seemed like one thing an skilled on-top-of-it head coach or — Cale Gundy reference alert — a seasoned offensive assistant with some actual authority may have been in a position to cease.
Given each coordinators, Lebby and Ted Roof, stow themselves within the press field, has the Sooner sideline been left in need of efficient administration?
If Lebby’s the proper man with the offensive reins — questionable given OU’s scoring and third- and fourth-down conversion charges rank considerably decrease than its complete offense — isn’t an actual quarterbacks coach providing counsel reside and in individual, face-to-face, required? Doesn’t OU want one anyway if it desires to proceed luring worldbeaters to play the place?
If Venables badly wants to observe the Switzer-Stoops mannequin and divorce himself from coordinating — and it looks like he may given season-long administration points — is Ted Roof actually the man he desires having a free defensive hand or was he at all times supposed to be assistant defensive coordinator within the first place?
Venables could perceive these items higher than we all know and may have copped to it Thursday.
After lauding the gamers for a efficiency they’ll by no means remorse, he supplied one thing else with out breaking stride.
“Proud of the coaches, too,” he mentioned. “Were there plenty of mistakes? Absolutely. We will have to look at those once we get out of season as well. What I saw tonight was what I saw the last three weeks, and proud of these guys for that.”
“We will have to look at those once we get out of season as well.”
It’s like Venables wished to give his workers all of the credit score he may, however not with out shedding credibility, thus acknowledging actual points do exists they usually’ll be addressed.
It’s fascinating.
It comes with the shedding.
When issues aren’t proper, they want to get proper, which ought to imply Sooner soccer’s sure to hold making news, not settling down till the switch portal endures another rush hour after spring drills.
What will that news be?
Good query.
But it’s coming.
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