“A game of doing”: As OU looks for a lead running back, Brent Venables compliments Gavin Sawchuk’s performance.
Oklahoma’s running back situation is still unclear after seven games.
In seven games, the Sooners have started four different backs: redshirt senior Marcus Major, sophomore Jovantae Barnes, redshirt freshman Gavin Sawchuk, and junior walk-on Tawee Walker. However, offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby hasn’t been able to find the go-to rusher that Lebby has been looking for.
On Tuesday, at his weekly press conference, Brent Venables stated that running backs coach DeMarco Murray makes the decision about who starts each game, with his assistance being called upon when necessary.
Venables stated, “DeMarco is the position’s CEO, without a doubt. In the end, I am solely responsible for everything. As long as everyone is in good standing, I don’t think I’ve ever had a head coach tell me who I can start and who I can’t. Coach is in that position, which is why you pay him to make those choices. A significant portion of it is derived from their practice work, and there is always a body of work.
When it comes to rush yards per game and yards per carry, OU is ranked 51st and 77th respectively in the nation. In contrast, the AP poll’s top five teams, Oklahoma included, have the nation’s best average yards per carry attacks (Nos. 16, 24, 40, 60, and 91).
Major is the only player on the team that has led the team in rushing yards in two straight games, against Iowa State and Cincinnati, with 68 and 66 yards, respectively. QB Dillon Gabriel has only gained more yards through rushes than Major and Walker.
Sawchuk carried the ball ten times this season in OU’s 31-29 victory over UCF last Saturday, displaying glimpses of his potential with Barnes not fully recovered, Major recovering from a “banged up” shoulder, and Walker serving an in-house suspension.
After a 100-yard performance against Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl of the previous season, the former unanimous four-star recruit went into 2023 full of anticipation. While praising Sawchuk’s performance against the Knights, Venables refrained from naming him the Sooners’ starting back.
According to Venables, “Gavin did some great things as the game went on and we know what he’s capable of.” That’s a doing game, and we need those guys. I think that should be a point of strength for us when we’re playing like we can play in all phases and all the different areas around us.
Barnes is still recovering from foot surgery he had in the spring, so he hasn’t seen the field since week three at Tulsa. Venables stated last
Walker will be available at Kansas after serving a one-game suspension, Venables reaffirmed on Tuesday.
Daylan Smothers and Kalib Hicks, two gifted freshmen, are still viable options for Murray and Venables as bench players.
Venables, a former Kansas State linebacker and native of Salina, Kansas, has a history with Oklahoma’s upcoming opponent.
The Sooners (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) will be looking to win the series for the 19th time in a row when they take on the Jayhawks (5-5, 2-2) on Saturday at 11 a.m. on FOX in Lawrence. But under Leipold, Kansas isn’t the same team it was before; in his first two and a half seasons, the team won 13 games, which is one more than it did in the seven seasons before he arrived.
Venables remarked, “I think the Kansas program is really great right now.” “With the changes that Lawrence is undergoing under the direction of coach Leipold and his staff. What a fantastic job, and an illustration of development and brilliant plans that enable their players to succeed. They have a seasoned football team with a great deal of success, and they have improved every year that they have been there.
Even so, under head coach Mark Mangino—a former OU and Kansas State assistant who coached Venables and collaborated with him—the Jayhawks haven’t had a winning season since 2008. This season, that should alter.
Jalon Daniels, the standout quarterback for Kansas, is making progress, but Leipold said it’s doubtful he’ll play against the Sooners.
“Leipold has done a pretty good job of developing their roster players and defense.” They play with a lot of aggression and great effort in all three phases, and they have good length and speed. It will be a great challenge for us because his fingerprints are all over the program.
I adore that my pride as a Kansas guy has been restored. I’m glad that Lawrence, Kansas, is experiencing success and pride. It benefits the Big 12.
On October 21, Peyton Bowen, a rookie defensive back, played against UCF.
Freshman safety Peyton Bowen, who wore a boot postgame last Saturday, is feeling better, according to Venables’ statement on Tuesday.
Venables stated, “Up until a few days ago, he was healthy, and he’s better now than he was a week ago.” “I wasn’t really expecting him to play in the match. On game day, he was donning the boot for the first time. We had a backup strategy before the game, which we referred to as a sub-package.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bowen was substituted in on third down and gained a sack. During the game, according to OU’s in-house radio, he wasn’t at 100%.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman McKade Mettauer, who saw action on special teams after Venables stated he would miss several weeks, was not given any explanation by Venables.
Reggie Grimes, a senior defensive lineman, was not available for comment, either. Grimes did not play against Texas but was spotted wearing sweatpants on the sidelines against UCF.
