Ben Arbuckle knows OU offense has to find ways to utilize Deion Burks
NORMAN — There’s been a few things notably missing from Oklahoma’s offense over the last few weeks.
One of the most glaring issues? Wide receiver Deion Burks has simply been an afterthought in the Sooners’ offense.
That was the case again last Saturday in the 34-26 loss. Burks finished with just four receptions for 32 yards on five targets. That came despite playing 66 of the offense’s 67 snaps.
Burks’ lack of production has become the norm this season, and OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle knows that has to change.
“Deion’s a talented kid who’s, honestly, probably had the best two weeks consistently in practice from a technical standpoint and a straining-to-finish standpoint,” Arbuckle told OUInsider Tuesday. “It showed up in the game, too, whenever you look at him away from the ball, sprinting to the ball, trying to pick up a block and always just trying to be in position if somewhere were to go awry.
“Deion’s a talented kid. Just finding ways to get him the ball out in space, in operational space. Because he has the ability just with his quick-twitch and his speed to catch and go and outrun somebody. Just got to keep on working with him.”
It’s been a disappointing few weeks for Burks, especially with how he started the year. He caught 14 passes for 189 yards and two scores through the first two games, including his seven-catch, 101-yard performance in a big win over Michigan.
Since then, Burks has been very quiet. Over the last six games, Burks has 22 receptions for 201 yards and zero touchdowns. Burks has failed to reach at least four receptions and 40 yards in four of those those games. It’s unusually minimal production for a receiver who ranks third on the Sooners in snaps (497) and has played more than 87% of the snaps on offense.
There have certainly been times where Burks got open, and the ball just didn’t find him. That happened with 12 seconds left against Ole Miss, when John Mateer failed to see Burks open on a vertical route. Other times, the Sooners just haven’t found ways to utilize him.
“There’s times in the game where the ball probably should’ve found him a time or two, and for one reason or another it didn’t when we were out there,” Arbuckle said. “Deion’s been really consistent out at practice so I’m really proud of the way he’s been attacking practice and getting after it.”
Through eight games, it hasn’t been the season Burks was likely hoping to have. But he hasn’t been frustrated and continues to have confidence in the offense.
“Just know it’s football, man,” Burks said. “Just know it’s more than me on the field. Never know really what’s going on behind the play. But no. Just next-play mentality. Just trying to get open again if I’m missed or anything like that. Just doing my job.”
It hasn’t been the best season for the Sooners’ offense, either. The Sooners rank 55th nationally in passing offense (246.4 yards per game), but the offense is averaging just 193 passing yards with two touchdowns over the last three weeks.
However, this weekend’s clash with Tennessee (6:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC) should be an opportunity for Burks and the offense to find a rhythm. The Volunteers rank 124th nationally in passing defense and have allowed 32 passes of 20-plus yards, which ranks 126th.
Despite the Ole Miss loss, the Sooners (6-2, 2-2) can stay viable in the College Football Playoff race with a win. It’ll be interesting to see if this can be a get-right game for Burks.
“It felt like (we) definitely left a lot on the field (against Ole Miss), but (it’s) just next week now,” Burks said. “It can’t be harped on too much. Just correct the mistakes, watch what we did wrong and it’s a next-week mentality.”