For the primary time since 1999, the Oklahoma Sooners needed to set up new techniques on each offense and protection in the identical season.
Brent Venables introduced his protection again to Norman, a departure from Alex Grinch’s quick and easy scheme.
The adjustment on the opposite aspect of the ball wasn’t as troublesome on paper, as Jeff Lebby reunited with quarterback Dillon Gabriel to run his up-tempo offense.
The offense sputtered all through the primary half towards Kent State, and OU’s protection recovered from a foul first drive towards Nebraska, however in any other case the Sooners appeared to have adjusted properly to the brand new schemes all through non-conference play.
But cracks began to point out as soon as Oklahoma opened up its convention slate.
The Sooners shifted between and three and 4 man entrance defensively towards Kansas State and TCU, however had been unable to cease the run in both contest.
Then, an harm to Gabriel in Fort Worth uncovered an absence of depth at quarterback.
Davis Beville received the beginning towards Texas, and although Venables was aggressive and pulled out a pretend subject purpose to attempt to generate momentum, the offense shortly turned to the Wildcat bundle as the one technique of offense.
2022 OU Report Cards:
- Wednesday, Jan. 4: Defensive Ends
- Thursday, Jan. 5: Offensive Line
- Friday, Jan. 6: Defensive Tackles
- Saturday, Jan. 7: Tight Ends
- Sunday, Jan. 8: Linebackers
- Monday, Jan. 9: Wide Receivers
- Tuesday, Jan. 10: Cornerbacks
- Wednesday, Jan. 11: Running Backs
- Thursday, Jan. 12: Safeties
- Friday, Jan. 13: Quarterbacks
- Saturday, Jan. 14: Special Teams
- Sunday, Jan. 15: Coaching Staff
Lebby solely referred to as on Beville to throw the ball 12 instances, as an alternative calling on operating again Eric Gray to throw a pair of passes, one among which was intercepted.
OU was shut out for the primary time since 1998, an unacceptable consequence within the Sooners’ greatest recreation of the yr.
Then late within the season, recreation administration was referred to as into query.
Venables turned to kicker Zach Schmit for a 46-yard subject purpose in terrible climate circumstances on fourth-and-3 within the fourth quarter towards West Virginia, and OU’s kicker missed the pivotal kick in Morgantown.
The Mountaineers then salted the ultimate 6:24 off the clock, beating the Sooners on a walk-off subject purpose of their very own as time expired.
Every week later, OU rallied to beat Oklahoma State regardless of the lack to handle the clock within the second half.
The Sooners burst out to a 28-0 lead towards the Cowboys after Spencer Sanders’ hapless first half efficiency. But Lebby by no means tapped the brakes on his offensive tempo, and Oklahoma let its in-state rivals again into the sport with poor clock administration.
None of OU’s 9 second half drives lasted greater than 90 seconds, permitting the Cowboys likelihood after likelihood to battle their manner again into the sport.
Every week later, the Sooners then blew an early 24-6 lead towards Texas Tech, having to move to time beyond regulation to win the sport.
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But on the primary play of the time beyond regulation interval, Lebby dialed up a trick play that led to Gabriel getting momentarily knocked out of the sport.
He solely missed one snap, however the injury may have been a lot worse in time beyond regulation.
Still, the OU offense was unable to attain a landing, and Schmit once more missed key kick, permitting the Red Raiders to kick a subject purpose of their very own to win it.
Given further day off forward of the Cheez-It Bowl, Oklahoma’s teaching workers was in a position to overcome accidents and choose outs to problem the No. 13-ranked Florida State Seminoles in Orlando.
OU’s makeshift offensive line took the combat to Florida State within the first half, vastly over-performing expectations.
And whereas the group performed above their heads, timeout administration price Oklahoma within the third quarter.
Venables burned a pair of timeouts — one on either side of the ball — within the third quarter, leaving himself no option to cease the clock within the closing minutes as Florida State tried to run as many seconds off as potential earlier than kicking the game-winning subject purpose.
Discipline was additionally a difficulty all yr lengthy.
Oklahoma completed No. 63-overall within the nation, drawing 74 flags, however procedural penalties appeared to routinely pop up and kill momentum for the offense.
As the teaching workers transforms the protection by way of recruiting and the switch portal, the protection ought to take steps because the personnel begins to suit the scheme.
However headed into 2023, there’ll nonetheless be questions round recreation administration and premature penalties as this system appears to take steps ahead within the win column beneath Venables.
Grading the teaching workers:
- Hoover: C-
- Chapman: C
- Callaway: C
- Lovelace: C
Coaching workers grade: 1.925 (Graded on a 4.0 scale)
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