Maybe Oklahoma’s protection by this level within the season merely can’t cease anyone.
The Sooners couldn’t get off the sphere once more final week in Morgantown, particularly within the fourth quarter, and that resulted in a 23-20 West Virginia victory — WVU’s first over OU in Big 12 play.
If Sooner Nation thinks this season has worn on them, think about the Sooner linebackers. On Saturday, the Mountaineers scored 10 factors within the fourth quarter by breaking deal with after deal with, sliding by means of a number of defenders for first downs and choosing up one conversion after one other.
Meanwhile, OU’s linebacker trio of Danny Stutsman, DaShaun White and David Ugwoegbu performed 92 snaps, 91 snaps and 90 snaps, respectively. Only cornerbacks Woodi Washington (93) and C.J. Coldon (86) and security Billy Bowman (82) have been anyplace shut. And that’s not a brand new factor.
The week earlier than, towards Baylor, Stutsman and White every led the group with 75 snaps, whereas Ugwoegbu logged 53.
Danny Stutsman
John E. Hoover / AllSooners
The week earlier than that, at Iowa State, all three linebacker starters have been tied for the group lead with 84 defensive snaps.
And the sport earlier than that, Kansas, they ranked 1-2-4 in OU defensive snaps, with Stutsman and White tied at 64 and Ugwoegbu at 57.
Bottom line: these guys are drained, there’s virtually zero depth behind them, and it confirmed within the fourth quarter final week at WVU.
But Oklahoma State is coming to city Saturday, and if quarterback Spencer Sanders was wholesome sufficient to come back off the bench and beat Iowa State final week in Stillwater, he’s all however sure to be able to go towards the Sooners.
In truth, he mentioned final Saturday he was positively taking part in — assured.
Sanders is quick, elusive and slick with the soccer. He’d in all probability moderately throw it, however he’s a daring and dynamic runner when he needs to be — a threat taker, even. Sanders will do no matter it takes to maneuver the chains towards an OU protection that’s been ragged for a lot of the season.
“He’s played a long time,” OU defensive finish Ethan Downs mentioned. “He’s a very mature guy, he knows ball and he knows how to lead his team and they trust him. So it’s gonna be a great challenge.”
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OU coach Brent Venables famous that Sanders had 52 begins at Denton Ryan High School and will likely be making his forty first begin at OSU.
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
“Who has 90-something starts as a quarterback?” Venables mentioned. “He’s incredibly experienced. He’s a winner. He’s instinctive. He’s fast. He’s explosive. Got a quick release. You can tell he’s played. He’s got a lot of moxie.”
For OU’s protection — worn down by the work load, the dearth of depth, the grinding offseason and the emotional swings of a training change — one other cellular quarterback is the very last thing they wish to see.
Kent State QB Collin Schlee rushed for 74 yards for the Golden Flashes means again in Week 2. Okay-State’s Adrian Martinez virtually gained the midseason Heisman together with his 148-yard, four-touchdown efficiency towards the Sooners. TCU’s Max Duggan popped a 67-yard TD, scored twice and completed with 116 yards on the bottom. WVU backup Garrett Greene rushed for 119 yards and two scores final week.
Sanders is healthier and extra skilled than all of them.
“Sometimes, the worst thing you can do is cover everybody because he can really run,” Venables mentioned. “He’s a true dual-threat guy.”
Sanders has three profession 100-yard dashing video games — together with final 12 months’s Fiesta Bowl, when he ran for 125 and threw for 371 to publish a career-high 496 yards whole offense towards Notre Dame — and 16 others that have been nicely north of fifty.
He’s been barely much less of a menace this season, with 57 dashing yards towards Central Michigan, 54 towards Arizona State, 75 towards Baylor, 56 towards Texas Tech, 68 towards TCU and 43 towards Texas.
Due to the damage, nonetheless, his final two video games have included minimal statistical contributions: minus-9 yards dashing within the blowout loss to Kansas State and 6 yards after coming off the bench towards Iowa State. In between, he missed the Kansas recreation completely.
In his profession, Sanders now has 9,172 yards passing (61.4 %) — that’s 218.3 yards per recreation — and 66 touchdowns. He additionally has run for 1,914 yards (4.0 per carry) — 45.5 per recreation — and has scored 18 touchdowns.
If wholesome, he’s pretty much as good as OU’s protection will see this 12 months.
Sanders has at all times been robust and a superb chief, nevertheless it was his efficiency off the bench final week that will have actually endeared his teammates to him greater than ever earlier than. He entered the sport within the third quarter and rallied the Cowboys from behind to beat the Cyclones.
“The team rallies behind him,” Venables mentioned, “plays off his leadership and his energy.”
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