In much-needed Michigan win, OU's offensive line finds something to build on
NORMAN — After a defining 24-13 win over Michigan on Saturday night, Brent Venables looked to give out the game ball to celebrate the victory.
The recipient? OU offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh and his position group.
After an uneven-at-best performance against Illinois State, the offensive line responded in a big way against the Wolverines’ front seven. Bedenbaugh rolled out a brand new group that included four different starters last week — including true freshman Michael Fasusi, who made his collegiate debut — and the offensive line more than held up in a difficult test.
“Just working in a cohesive way,” Venables said about the offensive line. “… Last year’s team, we had 10 different starting lineups. The offensive line, there’s not a more important position on a football team that requires chemistry and cohesion, time together, the communication, everybody working together. Because of having guys out and unavailable, we had to baptize some guys before they were ready, but they did as well as they could, but we weren’t quite there yet. So (it was good to) see that, kind of where we are several months later.”
It wasn’t a perfect performance, but the stats showed a more-than-solid outing for an offensive line that had never played together.
Bedenbaugh made several changes. He rolled with Jake Maikkula in favor of team captain Troy Everett; he swapped Eddy Pierre-Louis with Heath Ozaeta; Fasusi got the start at left tackle with Jacob Sexton out, and Derek Simmons made his OU debut after suffering an injury in fall camp.
Outside of a handful of snaps for Ryan Fodje and Logan Howland, that was the group the entire game. The Sooners were solid in pass blocking, earning a 71.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. In 35 drop-backs from quarterback John Mateer, the offensive line allowed just seven pressures, five hurries, two quarterback hits and, most importantly, zero sacks.
There is still some room for improvement in run blocking, as the Sooners finished with a 43.2 grade. But as a whole, the running game saw improvement against Michigan. After averaging just 3.3 yards per carry against Illinois State, the Sooners averaged a good-enough 3.5 yards per carry against Michigan.
The offensive line really stood out on both of Mateer’s rushing touchdowns.
And, most impressively, the offensive line came huge in the fourth quarter. With the Sooners leading 21-13, the offense put together a near-nine-minute drive that consisted mostly of hard-nosed running and ended in a field goal that sealed the win.
“I know we’ve got a true freshman out there and some guy (Simmons) from one of them directional Carolina schools, surely he can’t be worth a flip,” Venables joked after the game. “But he did alright. But really proud of all those guys, man. Everything that’s gone into it.”
Fasusi was particularly impressive in his first ever collegiate snaps. He played 66 of 75 possible snaps, earning a 69.2 overall grade — the second-best mark on the offensive line — a 69.5 run-blocking grade and a 61.0 passing grade. In 33 drop backs, Fasusi allowed just two pressures.
There’s certainly room for improvement, but it was a very encouraging performance for the true freshman.
“What Coach (Bedenbaugh told us on) the o-line, it was straight up just be physical,” Fasusi said. “Be the most physical and be the toughest team out there. And I really think that’s what we did. Trust in each other and just go out there and ball together. That’s definitely what we did.”
It wasn’t a perfect performance. But given the Sooners’ struggles last week, and the disaster of last season, the offensive line just needed something to build on before SEC play. They did that in a major test against a physical defensive front, and maybe found some much-needed clarity with the starting group.
“Bill Bedenbaugh, man, he’s worked so hard,” Venables said. “He’s lived and died in every tackle for loss, sack, all the things that go into developing a group of guys. He’s put his heart and soul into it, so happy for him.”
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