Can OU receiver Javonnie Gibson have his breakout game against Ole Miss?
NORMAN — Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle typically takes a nap or watches a movie on the team plane. But as the Sooners flew to South Carolina last week, Arbuckle’s usual plans were interrupted.
OU wide receiver Javonnie Gibson wanted to watch film on the Gamecocks. Gibson, who is still finding his rhythm after suffering a broken leg last spring, wanted to be extra prepared before making his first start as a Sooner.
“The biggest thing, if a player ever wants to watch extra film with me, I ain’t gonna tell him no,” Arbuckle said Monday. “That’s a level of buy in that I think is huge for development. Javonnie, he wanted to make sure he was prepared and he was. He went into the game and (there were) no busts. (He) was where he was supposed to be. There’s a few things I pointed out to him after (the game), like, ‘Hey, I need a little bit more strain right here from you, all right?’ But he knew what to do.
“And it was a fun plane ride over there. It was cool. Normally, I don’t know, watch ‘300’ or take a nap or something, but I got to watch a little bit more ball against the competition with a really good player, really talented kid and a great kid who just wanted to be better.”
Gibson didn’t finish the game with an eye-popping statline. But that performance was a huge building block.
Gibson finished with five receptions for 24 yards while playing 60 snaps. He was second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, as well as targets (6).
The game not only showed that Gibson can handle a heavy dose of snaps, but it also showed the connection that he developed with OU quarterback John Mateer.
“You could really see the connection developing in the spring and a really good trust between those two,” Arbuckle said. “But I think it just speaks to Javonnie and how he’s handled himself. He’s been awesome. He’s come in for extra work, craving extra study, and solely because he wants to make sure he’s doing the right thing at the right time. That builds trust and that builds great dependability.”
That game was important for Gibson, who is going to be a needed weapon in the offense as soon as this weekend. The Sooners host No. 8 Ole Miss on Saturday (11 a.m. ABC) that has huge implications for the College Football Playoff.
With Keontez Lewis again doubtful to play this weekend, Gibson is in line to make his second consecutive start. That’s going to be huge against an Ole Miss defense that ranks 38th in passing defense (195 yards per game).
However, the Rebels have shown some vulnerability through the air. Outside of the season opener against Georgia State, and the Rebels have allowed 217 yards per game. Last week, Georgia quarterback Gunnar Stockton threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns. The prior week, Washington State quarterback Zevi Eckhaus threw for 218 yards and two scores.
The Rebels have allowed nine passing plays of 30-plus yards, which ranks 62nd nationally. Gibson thrived as a deepfield threat last season at Arkansas Pine-Bluff, when he averaged over 17 yards per reception. His size and length could pose problems for the Rebels.
The Sooners just haven’t been able to utilize that yet. Mateer is confident that will come to fruition.
“He knows that maybe if I don’t come to him in the first half that I’ve got his back and the ball’s coming and it’s not the end of the world,” Mateer said. “I trust him and it’s just deeper than the ball’s coming out of my hand, going into his hands.
“He’s working hard. He’s meeting with Coach Arbuckle all the time, like once a day… I’m proud of him. He’s putting in the work, and he’s getting the fruits of it, and I’m proud of him.”