WATCH: Bob Stoops gives passionate postgame speech about what Oklahoma is getting in Brent Venables
After a 47-32 victory over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl, the Brent Venables era is officially underway for Oklahoma football.
Interim head coach and former national title-winning head coach Bob Stoops notched a victory in his only game back with the team, and then he ceremoniously “passed the visor” to signify a changing of the guard in Norman.
After calling Venables up to the stage during the trophy ceremony of the bowl — an action which was met with raucous applause from the crowd — Stoops offered an rosy opinion on where the Sooners program is headed.
“Soonerland isn’t going anywhere, we’re actually gonna keep climbing,” Stoops said. “I promise you.”
Stoops would know, as he was Venables’ boss at Oklahoma from 1999-2011. The former Clemson defensive coordinator began as a co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 1999 (Stoops’ first season) and took over the entire defense in 2004. He was also Venables’ defensive coordinator while he played at Kansas State.
“They’re getting a guy with passion, a guy who loves the game, a guy that loves his players, and a winner,” Stoops added. “A winner, a champion guy.”
Oklahoma thrived under Venables’ guidance in his first stint in Norman. The Sooners had the best scoring defense in the Big 12 in 2004, 2006 and 2011. Outside of 2005, they were never worse than third in the conference.
Like Stoops, Venables coached for the Wildcats prior to 1999. He knows the area and recruiting territory well, a knowledge that will become even more critical as Oklahoma moves over to the SEC amidst a wave of players from Texas heading east to play in the conference.
Sooners top Ducks in San Antonio
Stoops’ victory lap was clearly a success. The Sooners jumped out to a 30-3 halftime lead over Oregon on Wednesday, and while the Ducks made a valiant effort at a comeback by scoring four consecutive touchdowns to open the second half, it was not enough.
Quarterback Caleb Williams had another impressive outing to close out his inaugural season in Norman. He went 21-for-27 with 242 yards and three passing touchdowns. Including rushing scores, it was his sixth game of the year with at least three touchdowns.
Oklahoma’s other three touchdowns were thanks to running back Kennedy Brooks, who ran for 142 yards and averaged eight yards per carry.
A way-too-early look at 2022: Oklahoma plays UTEP, Kent State and Nebraska in addition to their Big 12 schedule. Venables will have some time to get his team together before playing former Big 12 rival Nebraska.