Brent Venables provides update on the return of lineman Wanya Morris
Oklahoma is off to a great start to their season, opening with a dominant victory over UTEP and continuing with a 33-3 blowout over Kent State in Week 2. However, there was one significant player missing from the fold, as offensive lineman Wayna Morris wasn’t involved in either game.
After the victory on Saturday, Venables provided a positive update on when the Sooners could see Morris grace the field.
“We feel like this might be the week that he comes back,” stated Venables. “We’re hopefully that that’ll happen.”
Earlier this month, Venables revealed Morris has been dealing with an off-the-field issue. The left tackle has been practicing, but didn’t play against UTEP or Kent State. However, Venables added that everything would be figured out soon, and it’s looking like Morris is expected back.
Morris was a huge addition from the transfer portal for Oklahoma last season but only saw action in six games in a backup role. He played left tackle under former head coach Lincoln Riley and was expected to do the same this season under Venables — although in a starting role.
Now, Wayne Morris will look to make an impact on the Sooners with Brent Venables leading the charge.
WATCH: Oklahoma RB Marcus Major blows by Kent State defender with a nasty juke for touchdown
Continuing, Oklahoma running back Marcus Major displayed his incredible open field movement as he gave a defender a tough juke move for a touchdown. The Sooners opened the third quarter against Kent State with a successful touchdown drive capped off by Major’s big move, giving them a much more comfortable 14-3 lead at the time.
The Oklahoma junior bounced a run to the outside where a Kent State cornerback attempted to tackle him before he could move vertically up the field. Unfortunately for the defender, Major stopped on a dime and juked right by him while making his 16-yard touchdown look easy.
The Sooners struggled to find their offensive footing in the first half, not scoring their first points until just before the end of the second quarter. Major’s highlight play capped off an eight-play 68-yard drive to grow the Sooners lead.
Shortly afterwards, fellow running back Eric Gray had his biggest play of the game — rushing for 44 yards and setting up the second touchdown of the third quarter for Oklahoma.
On3’s J.D. PicKell recently had high praise for the Oklahoma running back room, shouting out Eric Gray in particular. He is expected to be the starter this season, while there might be a committee behind him. The success can mostly be credited to position coach DeMarco Murray, who has done an excellent job recruiting and developing the backs for the Sooners.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh and Austin Brezina contributed to this article.