Houston Cougars running back Stacy Sneed (21) is brought down by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28), linebacker Samuel Omosigho (24) and defensive back Kani Walker (26) during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
It’s been a long time since the Oklahoma Sooners’ strength was on the defensive side of the ball. It’s a welcomed sight, but nobody anticipated the Sooners offense struggling with Houston like they did on Saturday night.
But here we are. Oklahoma has a defense that can not only keep them in games while the offense is struggling but can win them football games like they did in week two.
Oklahoma’s offense was shutout for more than two and a half quarters, and the defense responded by allowing just six points in the second half. That score came on a communication breakdown that led to a coverage bust. Oklahoma stopped the ensuing two-point conversion attempt. After that, the defense rose to the occasion, forcing stop after stop to preserve the win.
After the Cougars touchdown to open the second half, Oklahoma’s defense responded by forcing Houston to go punt, interception, punt, safety, and then the end of the game stopped their final drive. That’s five drives where Houston couldn’t put points on the board.
On the four drives before the final one, where Oklahoma was in prevent mode, the Sooners held the Cougars to 35 yards on 21 plays.
That’s how you bounce back after a letdown. That’s what elite defenses do. If they can build on that this week against a game Tulane program, it’ll provide a lot of confidence heading into their week four matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Tulane’s is arguably the best Group of Five program in the nation and will give…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-sooners-defense-carry-them-213342605.html
Author : Sooners Wire
Publish date : 2024-09-11 21:33:42
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