money Oklahoma Sooners among USA TODAY Sports’ ‘winners’ from week 1
It’s hard to imagine a better outcome in week one for the Oklahoma Sooners than the 45-13 win against the UTEP Miners. After spending the last two decades as a coordinator, Brent Venables finally has his first win as a head coach.
Week one delivered some great football. Utah vs. Florida was a great matchup, as was Notre Dame vs. Ohio State. Clemson, Venables’ former team, handily defeated Georgia Tech 41-10.
“Utter domination” is the phrase that comes to mind when thinking about how the Sooners played against UTEP. The Miners were simply outmatched in every phase of the game, and rightfully so. That is how a Conference USA team is supposed to look against a top 10 team.
With their performance, the Oklahoma Sooners were included in USA TODAY Sports Paul Myerberg’s winners from week one.
The Brent Venables era kicked off with a 45-13 win against overmatched Texas-El Paso that doubled as the debut for former Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who hit on 15 of 23 throws for 233 yards and three combined scores. Defensively, the No. 9 Sooners held the Miners to just 3.8 yards per play and 28 rushing yards, the fewest Oklahoma has allowed in a game since giving up 25 yards to Baylor in 2020. – Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports
The defense looked well prepared and cohesive in their first game in Venables’ defensive scheme. There wasn’t any miscommunication that stuck out, and they looked hungry for the football.
The offense has a bug or two to work out, but that’s what these tune-up games are for. Dillon Gabriel looked comfortable back in Jeff Lebby’s system and Eric Gray looked like an RB1.
Kent State isn’t much of a leap in quality from UTEP, but seeing how the team carries itself after a dominating performance is always interesting, especially under a new coach.
List
Report Card: Front seven earns high marks for dominating line of scrimmage
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow Ben on Twitter @bendackiw.
