Skip to main content

OU-South Carolina quick-hitters: Sooners dismantle Gamecocks

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo10/18/25BPrzybylo
Kobie McKinzie6
OU linebacker Kobie McKinzie. (Jeff Blake - Imagn Images)

Nobody has even considered calling it a revenge tour for OU, but there are a lot of painful 2024 memories that OU fans would love to see reversed.

The first one is in the books. South Carolina embarrassed OU in Norman last season, and the Sooners returned the favor Saturday.

In its first trip to Columbia, it was a pure OU domination, winning 26-7 to move to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC.

Both teams were looking for the bounce back. It was No. 14th-ranked OU that got it.

Here are your quick-hitters.

Ground and pound

That’s a little more like it. You can argue if it means something down the road, but it meant something Saturday. OU went with freshman Tory Blaylock as RB1 and never looked back.

Blaylock responded with his second 100-yard game of the season. He also got things going with an 18-yard touchdown on the initial drive of the game. Blaylock rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries.

Blaylock and Xavier Robinson can be something for OU the rest of the way. Robinson also found the end zone on a 10-yard score in the second quarter.

Have yourself a day: Wein, defense

Hey, head coach Brent Venables told us about Taylor Wein, right? Venables continues to look smarter and smarter about that comment.

Wein made one game-changing play after another. A couple of tackles for loss, an interception on a fake punt attempt. He was everywhere.

It wasn’t a tackle for loss or interception, but his tackle on LaNorris Sellers on fourth-and-goal was crucial in the first quarter.

As a whole? A really nice rebound performance by the OU defense. Made life miserable for Sellers all afternoon.

Punctuated it all with a safety, as Markus Strong once again delivered in his limited reps.

Efficient Mateer

This didn’t need to be the week where quarterback John Mateer had to win it by himself. Thanks to the run game, he could relax just a bit.

What it led to was a very efficient outing by Mateer. Nothing flashy or dynamic, but very in control. And no turnovers.

Mateer threw for a touchdown in the second half. He was 18-of-26 passing for 150 yards.

Up next

Buckle up, here comes the fun. And the challenge. But maybe some fun, too, as the next five OU games are coming against ranked opponents. Quality opponents, too. The gauntlet begins with Ole Miss coming to Norman next Saturday at 11 a.m. The Sooners lost in Oxford last season.

You may also like