ORLANO, FL — Thursday’s Cheez-It Bowl served as a comfortable opening for Oklahoma’s 2023 offense.
Opt outs and accidents thrust younger items into the highlight in OU’s 35-32 loss to the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles in Orlando, offering a glimpse of what subsequent yr may seem like for Jeff Lebby’s unit.
Down 4 starters alongside the offensive line, Lebby and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh solely had a handful of practices to organize the kids in the trenches to face a proficient Florida State line of defense.
Redshirt sophomores Tyler Guyton and Aaryn Parks performed a majority of the sport at offensive deal with, whereas redshirt freshman Savion Byrd’s aggression stole the present at guard for the Sooners.
As a end result, Oklahoma was capable of take the struggle to the Seminole defensive entrance in the primary half.
“I thought all of those guys played hard,” Lebby stated after the sport. “We’re going to look at the tape and there are going to be plenty of things that are frustrating, things that I’m going to want back.
“But those guys played incredibly hard up front all night long against a unit that’s played really, really well.”
Playing with out star working again Eric Gray, a pair of true freshman in Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk have been tasked with working behind the younger offensive line.
Taking on extra duty, the duo shined.
Barnes and Sawchuk mixed to hurry for 208 yards and two scores in what was Barnes’ first recreation because the characteristic again and Sawchuk’s first substantial recreation motion all season.
The duo ought to solely get higher subsequent season, as they achieve extra expertise and get a greater grasp on learn how to assault opposing defenses.
Even Barnes wasn’t glad along with his 108-yard outing in Orlando.
“I feel like I did OK,” Barnes stated. “Obviously, there’s always room for improvement. There were a couple of things I missed. All around, I did a great job. Me and Gavin both. We both went out and showed what we had.
“I’m proud of Gavin because this whole season he hasn’t really had a chance to shine. He exactly did that. I’m so proud of him for the way he did.”
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Andrew Raym will return at middle to anchor the brand new faces on the offensive line, and so they’ll have the whole lot of spring apply and fall camp to gel earlier than the Sooners kick off in 2023.
As the road continues to develop, OU’s cross safety ought to enhance as effectively from the Cheez-It Bowl efficiency.
Florida State completed the competition with six sacks, flushing quarterback Dillon Gabriel out of the pocket a variety of different occasions as effectively. Gabriel was in a position to make use of his ft, speeding for 54 yards earlier than the sack yardage was deducted from his whole on the night time.
“I think the O-line played their butt off in the sense of their effort,” Gabriel stated. “They are guys who care, and they are competing for their opportunity at hand. I can respect that.
“In times of a game, things happen… but, they continued to fight, regardless of the situation.”
Oklahoma’s 5-star quarterback signee Jackson Arnold ought to shore up the Sooners’ depth on the place, permitting Gabriel to make use of his ft extra in 2023.
When he was capable of keep in the pocket and look downfield, Gabriel missed his favourite goal in broad receiver Marvin Mims who was in and out of the lineup in opposition to Florida State battling by means of an damage.
If Mims returns to Norman subsequent yr, the 1-2 punch he kinds with Jalil Farooq ought to proceed to hold the load for Oklahoma in the passing recreation.
Former OU star Austin Stogner will return and slot into the Brayden Willis-sized void that shall be left over the center of the sphere, and there shall be alternatives for the younger expertise in the broad receiver room to step up and win extra snaps between the likes of Jaquaize Pettaway, Gavin Freeman, Jayden Gibson, Nic Anderson and Keyon Brown.
Even with out a whole offseason to speculate snaps in these items, the Sooners have been capable of rating 32 factors and whole 496 yards in opposition to a Florida State protection that sat firmly in the highest 20 of whole protection headed into bowl season.
The Sooners must exchange loads of offensive manufacturing subsequent yr, however their ultimate act of 2022 confirmed the expertise and promise that Oklahoma can have on the roster headed into 2023.
“We showed a little preview,” Barnes stated. “I can’t wait til next year.”
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