OU notepad: Defensive end Taylor Wein again stands out vs. South Carolina
COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Oklahoma defensive end Taylor Wein didn’t start against South Carolina.
But his impact was immediate.
The Gamecocks drove down the field on their opening possession and made their way inside the OU five-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the six-yard line, LaNorris Sellers appeared to evade pressure and ran up the middle of OU’s defense.
Wein pursued from behind and stopped Sellers short of the goal line.
That play was crucial in keeping South Carolina from finding a rhythm in the Sooners’ 26-7 win over the Gamecocks.
Wein didn’t stop there. He recorded his first career takeaway in the third quarter, when he intercepted South Carolina’s fake punt attempt.
Wein finished with four tackles and tied Kendal Daniels for the team lead in tackles for loss with two.
“He’s very humble,” OU coach Brent Venables said after the game. “He’s rooted in his work. He’s raised the right way. He’s thankful for his opportunity. You guys have interviewed him, he kept saying (that), like he was not a real human being. Right? But he’s a robot when it comes to that. And that being, he understands and respects the work, the detail of how you play at a high level.
“He really respects (OU defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis). Coach Chavis has done an amazing job with his whole group. Taylor’s a byproduct of that. Just a lot of work, a lot of sweat equity, maximizing being ready for his opportunity when the opportunity’s there.”
Wein has fully emerged as one of the Sooners’ best defensive players. He leads the team in tackles for loss (10.5), and he ranks second in sacks (3.5) and sixth in tackles (23). He’s seen his playing time increase, too, ranking 10th in snaps (193) and third among OU’s defensive ends.
NOTES
— Senior cornerback Gentry Williams played just six snaps, leaving the game early with a shoulder injury. He came out of the locker room with his arm in a sling.
However, it appears he avoided a significant injury.
“He banged up his shoulder,” Venables said. “Everything was clear, the x-rays and stuff. So hopefully it’ll be okay.”
— OU quarterback John Mateer attempted his first pooch punt in the fourth quarter. It was very successful, as the ball went 40 yards before it was downed by Elijah Thomas at the one-yard line.
“That was probably his highlight of the day, right there,” OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle joked.
— Running back Xavier Robinson had his biggest impact of the season, carrying the ball 11 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. He played 24 snaps and served as a nice complimentary option to Tory Blaylock.
“Tough runs today, some really good things to build off of,” Venables said. “Had a good week of practice. … He gets a little thin on some of the blocks. He knows how to work where they’re set up and where they’re a little vulnerable. Even if it’s just two more yards, he knows where those spots are. And that’s what a good running back needs to do, he needs to find those. He got through on a good run, showed some good things today.”
— Isaiah Sategna (7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD) was again the focal point of OU’s offense. He comfortable leads OU in every receiving category with 37 receptions, 493 yards and four touchdowns.
“You just give him the ball, and he’s going to make it happen,” Mateer said. “There’s a couple third downs where we gave it to him short of the sticks, and he got the first down. He’s obviously super quarterback-friendly. He makes my life easier. He makes Coach Arbuckle’s life easier.”
— The Sooners finished with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks against South Carolina.
They now lead the country in tackles for loss (75) and are tied for first in sacks (28).
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