Defense shows improved tenacity in ‘ugly’ 28-11 win over SMU
No. 18 Oklahoma’s defense made it clear it was much improved from last year’s poor performances, fending off a highly touted SMU offense and holding onto a 28-11 win Saturday on Owen Field.
The SMU Mustangs barely scratched the scoreboard in the first 30 minutes of play, trailing 14-3 at the half.
But in the fourth quarter, SMU narrowed the OU lead to 14-11 with 12:09 left in the game. Then, the Sooners offense kicked into gear.
“I love that about our team — the fight and the courage and the belief and the never flinch attitude that they had,” Coach Brent Venables said. “I thought, that was what you want to see. A year ago, I’m not sure if we would have figured out a way to win that game.”
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The Oklahoma Sooners did whatever they wanted to do against Arkansas State.
Before anyone was even settled into their seats OU was up by 14 points. And it just avalanched from there. Offense, defense, and special teams all dominated. Gabriel looked like a Heisman candidate as did QB 1 of the future freshman Jackson Arnold. The Defense looked fast and decisive.
But did we learn anything from this performance?