OU 26, South Carolina 7: Takeaways from an impressive road win
COLUMBIA, South Carolina — It wasn’t always pretty and it wasn’t perfect. But Oklahoma walked away from Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday with an impressive, and much-needed, road victory.
The Sooners beat South Carolina, 26-7, to improve to 6-1 on the season and 2-1 in SEC play. The Sooners scored the first 14 points of the game and went into halftime with a 14-7 lead, and then scored all 12 points after intermission. The final points of the game came from Markus Strong, who sacked a South Carolina ball-carrier in the end zone for a safety.
The offense appeared to find something in the running game, and the defense was impressive in limiting LaNorris Sellers.
Here’s a few takeaways from the win:
OU finds something in the running game(?)
The Sooners did the one thing they struggled to do all season. They ran the ball, and they did it effectively.
The Sooners finished the game with 172 rushing yards on 39 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. It was a much-needed performance for an OU team that ranked 106th in rushing offense and 116th in yards per carry.
It was a clear mandate from the Ben Arbuckle and the coaching staff to lean on the run early. The Sooners ran the ball five times for 50 yards on the opening drive, which was capped off by an 18-yard run from Tory Blaylock. The Sooners went into halftime with 136 rushing yards on 7.2 yards per carry.
They didn’t just find success in the running game. They might’ve figured out the rotation, too. Blaylock (19 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD) saw the bulk of the work and finished with his second 100-yard performance of the year, while Xavier Robinson (11 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD) was effective as a change-of-pace back.
The Gamecocks won’t be the toughest test OU faces the rest of the way. But the Sooners needed to figure things out in the running game, and they did.
OU’s defense limits LaNorris Sellers
It was the most important thing the Sooners’ defense needed to do — keep Sellers from making plays.
Mission accomplished.
The defense never allowed Sellers to find a rhythm as a passer or as a runner, generating consistent pressure against South Carolina’s depleted offensive line. Sellers finished with 124 passing yards (17/25 passing) and -9 rushing yards, and the Sooners sacked him six times.
Without Sellers consistently escaping the pocket, the Gamecocks’ offense struggled. They ran the ball 34 times times for only 54 yards (1.59 yards per carry), with the Sooners adding 13 tackles for loss.
John Mateer finishes with solid, ho-hum performance
With the Sooners able to run the ball, the offense didn’t need much from the quarterback.
Mateer finished with 150 passing yards (18/26 passing) and a touchdown, adding 14 rushing yards. With South Carolina’s defensive backs playing soft coverage, Mateer was largely content to throw short passes for easy completions.
He didn’t throw down the field much and averaged 8.3 yards per completion. He did find Isaiah Sategna for a 21-yard touchdown late in the third quarter on a nice play design from Arbuckle.
Mateer made a couple of questionable decisions in the passing game, but he finished without committing a turnover. That’s the first time he’s done that this season, and that might be the most important development.
Taylor Wein’s breakout season continues
Early in the week, OU coach Brent Venables praised Wein’s development this season. Against the Gamecocks, Wein picked up right where he left off.
His first big play came on South Carolina’s opening drive. Facing fourth-and-goal, Sellers appeared to escape the defensive line and had room to scramble for a touchdown before Wein made the play and stopped him short.
He wasn’t done there. Wein then intercepted South Carolina’s fake punt attempt in the third quarter, marking his first career takeaway and the Sooners’ third of the season. The interception eventually led to Mateer’s touchdown to Sategna.
Wein finished with four tackles and tied with Kendal Daniels for the team lead in tackles for loss (2).
Tate Sandell continues to flourish
The OU kicker was again flawless. He made his only field goal attempt, crushing a 55-yard attempt that gave the Sooners a 10-point lead. It was his third field goal from 50-plus yards this year and it tied his career best.
Sandell has now made 12 consecutive field goals.
More importantly, he was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable day for OU’s special teams units. Grayson Miller shanked an 18-yard punt late in the first half that helped set up South Carolina’s only touchdown drive. The Sooners were also called for two penalties on special teams.
But fortunately for the Sooners, Sandell continues to be one of the most consistent players on OU’s roster.
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