Day After: Sooners Down Wolverines

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

OU- 24 UM- 13

The Sooners get a huge non conference win vs the 15th ranked Michigan Wolverines, with the eyes of the nation upon them. It was FAR from perfect, many mistakes that need to be fixed. However, this team looked amazing, they are certainly capable of making a playoff run. If OU didn’t make the special teams mistakes, and the other simple errors that shouldn’t happen, this could have been legitimately a 38-3 ballgame. I loved what I saw from the boys in crimson tonight, we’re in for a great season.

Key Takeaways

- Special Teams must be fixed

The errors on punts were absolutely unacceptable. We almost allowed Michigan straight into the game, but we were able to hang on. A missed field goal also isn’t great, but overall I 100% expect our ST to be much better next week in Philly.

- Run blocking is still an issue

The last drive was great, but overall we need to get this run blocking thing figured out. Mateer was far an away our best rusher, and we can’t rely on that throughout the season.

- Our defense is elite

It’s safe to say that the defense is elite. Other than the one rushing TD by Haynes, they were stellar all night. Now that we have a good offense, it’s gonna be a lethal combo.

- Found a way to win

I know Michigan didn’t look like a great team, but the fact that we found a way to win, while they were trying to make a comeback, is very encouraging to me. Last years team would have certainly gave it away, but we’ve leveled up.

- We’re a playoff team

This team is a playoff team, there’s no doubt about it to me. If we cut out these mistakes, I truly believe that we can beat anybody in the country. Buckle up Sooner fans, it’s gonna be a great season.

Best Players

- WR Deion Burks (7 catches 101 yards 1 TD)

Burks wanted revenge against the Wolverines, and he got it. Burks and Mateer clearly have chemistry, and they’ll be a nightmare duo all year long.

- QB John Mateer (21/34 344 total yards 3 total TDs 1 int)

This dude is special. No other words for it. He missed on a couple throws, one that turned into a pick, but he made some nutty plays, and was a key part of the run game. He puts himself clearly into the Heisman picture after 2 games, which is huge.

- TE Jaren Kanak (5 catches 69 yards)

Kanak made some huge plays tonight. He missed out on that TD catch on the flea flicker, but the one handed catch on 3rd and 9 in the first drive were clutch. The Sooners might not win without Kanak.

- LB Owen Heinecke (7 tackles 1 TFL)

Heinecke was elite tonight, making plays left and right. He led the Sooners in tackles, and he was a crucial part of neutralizing the Wolverine offense.

- CTH Kendal Daniels (4 tackles 2.5 TFL)

The hit Kendal Daniels put on Justice Haynes was just crazy, and other than that Daniels once again had a spectacular day. He is certainly getting the attention of NFL scouts over these first 2 games.

- CB Courtland Guillory (3 tackles great coverage)

Guillory was great in coverage tonight, he was the Sooner’s best corner, and he’s still a true freshman. He had some mistakes, but overall he was amazing. This dude is gonna be special.

- S Peyton Bowen (6 tackles)

Bowen looked like a very high draft pick tonight. He might finally be breaking out, and showing why he was such a coveted 5 star out of high school. We need him to keep playing like this throughout the season.

- OT Michael Fasusi

In his debut, Fasusi did not disappoint at all. He was one of, if not the, best lineman for OU. He came off the field late with what appeared to be an ankle injury, and let’s hope he’s alright because we need him the rest of the season.

Positives

- We’ve got a team

This team is so much better than last year’s team, it’s just absurd. We can finally have confidence that we can score points and win games again. The sky is the limit for this squad.

- OLine is getting better

Although it needs to improve, the offensive line looked solid against a really good Michigan defensive line. Hopefully once we get to Red River, they’ve really come along.

- 2-0

Starting 2-0 was crucial. We are now in good position for a playoff birth, just need 7-8 more wins and we’re in. Losing this game would have put us in a hole that would have been hard to climb out of.

Negatives

- Special Teams

I mentioned this earlier, but the special teams need to be fixed or we’re in trouble. 2 messed up punts that gave them field goal opportunities is unacceptable. Has to be cleaned up.

- Jaydn Ott?

I don’t get the Ott situation. He was hyped up like crazy all offseason, and so far he has 5 carries for 6 yards this year. He did not make a difference this game, and he actually fumbled a kickoff, so he is a big disappointment so far.

- Finishing

We had multiple opportunities to finish this game, and we couldn’t capitalize. We have to seize those and end the game when we can, better teams like Texas, South Carolina, and LSU will take advantage of us leaving the door open.

BOOMER!!

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