Scouting Report: Kent State
Oklahoma comes out of the bye week with a very manageable game at home.
The No. 5-ranked Sooners (4-0, 1-0 SEC) host Kent State (1-3) for a Saturday afternoon game at home. The Sooners are a 45.5-point favorite to beat a Kent State team that has been one of the worst teams in the FBS.
The only hitch? Starting quarterback John Mateer has already been ruled out for the contest after undergoing hand surgery last week. Michael Hawkins Jr. will make his fifth career start and his first of the season. The Sooners should be more than fine with Hawkins at quarterback, but it’ll be a new look for the offense.
Basically, this is an opportunity for the Sooners to regain momentum after the bye week, before heading to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry. Here’s an overview of Kent State and what the Sooners can expect this weekend:
GAME INFO
When: 3 p.m. CT
Where: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Radio: 107.7 FM
BASIC STATS
Scoring offense: 18.2 points per game (119th nationally)
Scoring defense: 44 points per game (133rd nationally)
Total offense: 290.5 yards per game (128th nationally)
Total defense: 541.8 yards per game (134th nationally)
Rushing offense: 86.5 yards per game (130th nationally)
Rushing defense: 256.2 yards per game (132nd nationally)
Passing offense: 204 yards per game (89th nationally)
Passing defense: 285.5 yards per game (127th nationally)
Keys to the Game
— Get Hawkins into a rhythm
It’s unclear when Mateer will return. It’s possible Hawkins is the starter for the Texas game, and possibly beyond.
Therefore, it’s important for Ben Arbuckle to find some ways to get Hawkins into a rhythm. That shouldn’t be an issue against a Kent State defense that’s been subpar at basically everything. Hawkins’ running ability is well-documented and that’ll likely be incorporated into the offense, but it’ll be key for Arbuckle to find some passing concepts that are comfortable for the sophomore quarterback.
The Sooners are a massive favorite, and this should be an easy tune-up game. But this is an important opportunity for Hawkins to settle in.
— Force some takeaways
The Sooners are the only team in the FBS that has yet to force a takeaway. They’ve had some opportunities, but they just haven’t capitalized.
This should be a chance for the defense to generate some takeaways. Kent State has five turnovers on the year, with two of them coming against Texas Tech. If the Sooners are aggressive, the takeaways should come.
On the flip side, OU’s offense has turned the ball over six times this season and at least once in every game. This should be a clean game offensively.
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