Saying farewell: Final OU home game coming up

In talking to several OU seniors this week, you can tell they don’t want to think about it. Senior Day is incredibly special, and just like that, it’s here for the Sooners.

Nobody wants to think about the end, though. It has been a wild journey for all involved, but you just want to stay focused on the task at hand.

They’ll try to do that, but Friday morning will be an emotional moment for all involved. The Sooners will honor their seniors before the 11 a.m. Friday game against TCU on FOX.

“They are the foundation for the success that we’ve experienced this year,” OU head coach Brent Venables said. “I’m incredibly thankful for them – the leadership, the belief, all the work that they’ve put in and all the sacrifice. That’s a group of guys who are incredibly, heavily invested in this program, certainly in the locker room and with their teammates. I got a great perspective and tremendous amount of thankfulness for them. It will be an emotional week for several of them on Senior Day.

“It really kind of hits them in the face when they see their mom and dad or whoever the village they might have out there on the field. Hits you on the face pretty quick. It’ll be a challenge. It’s my responsibility to help them not to allow their emotions hijack the moment because they have to turn around and play a really tough, physical game. It’s a mental challenge and a physical challenge that the game requires, several moments later after having that moment, they have to be ready to play. I am really proud and thankful for this group of guys.”

Here is a look at how the guys who are playing their final home game have fared this season.

Final game

DE Rondell Bothroyd: 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, fumble recovery.

DT Isaiah Coe: 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, quarterback hurry.

LB Justin Harrington: 6 tackles, interception, torn ACL (will appeal for another year, though).

DT Jordan Kelley: 14 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries.

DT Jonah Laulu: 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries.

S Reggie Pearson: 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, interception.

TE Austin Stogner: 15 receptions for 170 yards, 11.3 average, touchdown.

WR Drake Stoops: 66 receptions for 755 yards, 11.4 average, nine touchdowns.

DE Marcus Stripling: 4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks.
OG McKade Mettauer
OG Caleb Shaffer
DT Phil Paea
OT Walter Rouse

In their own words.

Isaiah Coe

Coe is one of those guys who is Oklahoma. A Chicago boy who has become a man in Norman. Through his three years at OU, you can tell how much this place has meant to him.

“I haven’t been trying to think about it to be honest. I just have been trying to live in the moment. The day keeps getting closer, so I don’t have no choice but to think about it. It’s going to be emotional. I’m just a kid from Chicago and come to Oklahoma and them taking a chance on a juco kid. Before I even got here, some people were already questioning me and all types of things. How things played out, I’m forever thankful because Lord knows what I could be doing right now if I never came and took this chance.

“The fact that our old coaching staff and we got a new regime. From day one, they believed in me from the jump. From the first day I had my meeting with Coach Venables, he believed in me, without a doubt. Coach Bates believed in me. From somebody that didn’t get recruited to come to Clemson and they come in here and say those positive things, it means a lot that they can have faith in me to go here and represent the University of Oklahoma the best way that I can. I’m very much thankful for that.”

Drake Stoops

One last STOOPS moment, no? Amazing to think what many thought would be Stoops’ career at OU compared to reality. He has really made his own mark and been one of the best players for the Sooners the last couple of seasons.

“Definitely, like I said, soaking it in and trying to be present each day and be intentional about my work and about spending time with my teammates, my coaches and just being around the building and just enjoying it. It doesn’t last forever and for me it went by really fast so I’m just trying to get the most out of it and be prepared for Friday’s game against TCU.”

Walter Rouse

And a one-year transfer. Rouse will forever be known by OU fans for blocking two Texas guys on the game-winning touchdown. But in talking to Rouse, you get a sense of his appreciation for what this year in Norman meant to him.

“I’ve really just been enjoying the moment and the season as a whole. I always know this day is coming, but you really don’t think about it much until you get closer and closer to the game. Five years playing college football. I never thought I’d play college football for five years. It’s been an unbelievable experience and I can’t believe it’s coming to an end.”

Seniors who can come back

QB Davis Beville
P Luke Elzinga
DE Trace Ford
QB Dillon Gabriel
WR D.J. Graham
DE Reggie Grimes
DT Jacob Lacey
S Key Lawrence
RB Marcus Major
LB Konnor Near
P Josh Plaster
C Andrew Raym
DT Davon Sears
DT Da’Jon Terry
CB Woodi Washington

Everybody else not included in these two lists can, obviously, return for another season.