ORLANDO — All eyes had been on Oklahoma’s offensive line headed into the Cheez-It Bowl.
Before departing for Orlando, the Sooners knew they’d be down not less than three starters in opposition to No. 13-ranked Florida State’s potent go rush.
Both tackles, Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris, opted out of the competition to organize for the NFL Draft, and heart Andrew Raym underwent season ending surgical procedure in November.
Then moments earlier than kickoff, it grew to become obvious that the three-year starter at proper guard, Chris Murray, would be a part of the ranks of Bill Bedenbaugh’s linemen who would miss the competition.
And one way or the other issues obtained worse three offensive snaps into the sport.
Jacob Sexton, the true freshman left sort out tabbed to switch Harrison in opposition to the Seminoles, limped off the sector and didn’t return.
Yet one way or the other, Oklahoma nonetheless discovered a option to transfer the soccer and even took the combat in the trenches to Florida State for a majority of the primary half.
“The guys up front, they played physical, and they played with purpose,” OU coach Brent Venables mentioned after the sport. “I thought the players played with a tremendous physicality and toughness that we have asked from them. Coach Bedenbaugh did a great job getting these guys ready.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby dialed up a season-high 60 speeding performs in Thursday night time’s 35-32 loss at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, and the Sooners totaled 253 yards and three scores on the bottom.
The speeding sport was spearheaded by a pair of true freshman operating backs in Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk, who discovered daylight behind the patchwork line.
“I knew our o-line was going to do their thing,” Barnes mentioned. “It feels like the same o-line we’ve had all season. I know the younger guys wanted to step up and do their thing. They did exactly that. They did a great job. I couldn’t do it without them.”
Robert Congel and Tyler Guyton, who changed Andrew Raym and Morris respectively, each have seen substantial sport time this season, however left sort out Aaryn Parks and guard Savion Byrd each noticed their first main motion of the season.
“I’m so proud of this group,” Congel mentioned. “Those young guys, I mean, they played their butts off. Savion and Aaryn Parks, all those guys. They were tired, they were incredible. So I’m really proud of this group and the future’s bright for that o-line.”
Byrd in specific caught the attention.
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The redshirt freshman by no means appeared scared, as an alternative bringing a excessive degree of aggression and hearth to the unit.
“Savion, he was incredible,” Congel mentioned. “He really — playing with that nasty streak. There would be times I would see a guy 10 yards down the field and he’s flopping on top of him.
“The way he prepared these past couple of weeks and the way he played, I’m so proud of him. I’m telling you all these guys, man, they’ve got bright futures.”
As the sport wore on, the Florida State defensive entrance did begin to assert its will in the passing sport.
The Seminole line, which entered bowl season tied for twentieth in the nation in sacks per sport, sacked OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel six occasions.
Lebby was compelled to pivot, resulting in the uneven run/go cut up, however impressively, the Sooner offense by no means stalled for a big stretch of time.
“I think the biggest thing was we felt pretty good from a protection standpoint going in,” Lebby mentioned. “It didn’t work out quite that way after the first series with Jacob (Sexton). We had to add another piece.
“But I thought the way our guys battled and competed and strained was impressive. For the very limited amount of time that they’ve played and for them to play as hard as they played tonight, I was proud of that.”
Unfazed by the musical chairs, Oklahoma’s line confirmed promise headed into an offseason the place Bedenbaugh should substitute each 2022 starter besides Raym.
But if Thursday’s efficiency is any indication, OU’s 2023 offensive line will nonetheless be stocked with loads of expertise.
“Just the way the guys competed today and how they worked their butts off before the game, it showed them what they’ve got to do to be in that position,” Congel mentioned. “So I’m as confident as ever that this group’s gonna turn it around.”
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