Oklahoma-Kansas Observations: AllSooners LIVE In-Game Blog

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Ross Lovelace offer their real-time observations from the Sooners' conference matchup versus the Kansas Jayhawks.

NORMAN — Unranked Oklahoma looks to bounce back this week against the No. 19-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. AllSooners has four reporters on site to cover the game.

This live blog will be updated throughout Saturday's contest. Newest posts appear at the top. Simply refresh your browser to see the latest posts.

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2:50 p.m.

Final stats:

— JH

2:42 p.m.

Final score. Sooners are off the schneid.

— JH

1:59 p.m.

Third-quarter stats. Sooners are rolling.

— JH 

1:57 p.m.

Key Lawrence has been all over the field for Oklahoma. Sooners have desperately missed his energy and playing the last two weeks. He’s putting together a very solid performance. Another stop for the Oklahoma defense.

— RL 

1:51 p.m.

It sure looked like Brayden Willis stepped out of bounds on first viewing, but he clearly did not. The end zone replay shows clearly he tiptoed and pirouetted the final three steps of a 26-yard touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel.

Gabriel is at 366 yards passing, Willis now has a career-high 102 receiving yards and the Sooners are rolling 49-28, 2:36 left in the third quarter.

— JH

1:49 p.m.

That was easy. Dillon Gabriel’s pump fakes have caused massive issues in the Kansas secondary. There it is again, as Gabriel fires a strike to Willis for another touchdown. 49-28 Sooners now, and Jeff Lebby deserves a lot of credit for what is happening today.

— RL

1:49 p.m.

Oklahoma finding chunks of yards via the screen pass on this drive. Sooners offense looked to be stalling, but two huge screen plays made the third down manageable.

— RL

1:42 p.m.

Jason Bean reconnects with Lawrence Arnold, this time a 28-yard score, and the Jayhawks cut the OU lead to 42-28.

Kansas drove 47 yards on three plays in just 53 seconds after the Gabriel interception.

Still plenty of time left, as 5:56 remains in the third quarter.

— RC 

1:40 p.m.

Dillon Gabriel just threw his first interception of the year, and the Jayhawks are set up near midfield with a chance to cut the lead back to two scores.

— RC 

1:37 p.m.

Oklahoma’s defense is finally stringing stops together.

After conceding touchdowns on the first two drives, OU either forced a punt or a turnover on four straight drives.

Now, the Sooners have back-to-back stops coming out of the half.

Dillon Gabriel has led touchdown drives immediately after both interceptions as well, extending the Sooner lead.

— RC 

1:35 p.m.

It’s obvious to point out, but Oklahoma’s defense plays with so much more confidence when the offense is firing. It raises the intensity level all over the field and it’s very noticeable. 

That tackle by Key Lawrence was a prime example, stopping Bean shy of the first down to hand the ball back to the offense. Minus a few breakdowns, this is the best complimentary football we’ve seen since the Nebraska game.

— RL

1:26 p.m.

With 10:16 to play in the third quarter, Dillon Gabriel punches in a goal-line rush (after a nice throw to the goal line and a nice catch by Brayden Willis) and it’s 42-21. OU has 534 total yards and 24 first downs, while KU has 244 yards and 14 first downs.

Most impressive of all, the Sooners are 8/11 on third down (KU is 3/7). OU’s third-down offense this season came into today ranked 95th in the nation.

Jeff Lebby said there would be a special emphasis on that in practice this week.

— JH

1:26 p.m.

DaShaun White’s interception there was a game changer for Oklahoma. A stop and a score is exactly what Oklahoma needed to set up momentum for the rest of the game. 

Gabriel continuing to choose Drake Stoops as his security blanket is great news for the Sooners. Big time series for both the offense and the defense out of halftime, resulting in a 42-21 lead.

— RL

1:20 p.m.

That was a massive drive for the defense.

A Kansas touchdown would have cut the lead back to one score, applying some gentle pressure onto the OU offense.

Instead, DaShaun White comes up with the pick to set Gabriel and the offense up with prime field position.

Venables wanted the team to find some rhythm, and big plays like that are how you get into a groove. Doesn’t hurt when the offense is averaging over eight yards per carry, either.

— RC 

1:17 p.m.

The idea that Kansas ends the second half with a goal line stop and starts the second half with the football and can create some real momentum is over. DaShaun White steps in front of Bean’s pass for the interception, and OU is in business with a 35-21 lead. White hit Bean earlier on this drive and also batted down a pass. Kid’s on fire.

— JH

1:09 p.m.

Sure looked like Marvin Mims might’ve gotten in on that play before the half. Sooners could’ve made it a three score game, but now, the pressure’s on for an opening drive stand. Kansas’ first drive of the second half will set the direction for the rest of the game.

— RL

12:54 p.m.

Third quarter stats:

— JH

12:52 p.m.

The final play of the first half is another handoff to Jovantae Barnes and Kansas stuffs it.

A bad end to a good drive from a clock management standpoint from Venables.

Had Jeff Lebby chew the clock on the initial third down so the Jayhawks wouldn’t get the ball back. Then Venables had Gabriel spike the ball instead of burning a timeout after the review on Marvin Mims’ reception let OU call two plays.

Still, have to punch it in.

Oklahoma takes a 14-point lead into the half, but Kansas gets the ball first.

— RC 

12:49 p.m.

Everybody hates that timeout by KU, but it’s smart. OU came out with Chris Murray in the backfield and Dillon Gabriel under center, so now KU can adjust. Murray was in the same situation at Nebraska.

— JH

12:46 p.m.

And the referee returns to tell us the call on the field stands. OK then. It's 35-21 from the 1-yard line with 8 seconds left and the Sooners have one timeout left.

— JH

12:45 p.m.

There appears to be a significant leg injury that's delaying play after Marvin Mims was rule down on a hitch pass that he carried across the goal line. The feeling in the press box is that replay will show this is a touchdown. But the injured Jayhawk is being tended to on the KU goal line. First things first, but OU's probably gonna lead 42-21 at halftime.

— JH

12:33 p.m.

The Sooners had scored 21 unanswered since that catch by Gavin Freeman. Nothing a little missed tackling won’t solve. Trey Morrison whiffs on a long run and two plays later Bean throws to a wide open Mason Fairchild for a touchdown — and it’s 35-21, 1:36 til halftime.

— JH

12:30 p.m.

In conference games this year, the Kansas defense entered today giving up 105.33 rushing yards per game.

After Eric Gray’s last touchdown run, Oklahoma has now rushed for 145 yards today with a minute and a half left in the first half.

— RC 

12:28 p.m.

Eric Gray cares not for your holding calls. Instead of a 21-yard touchdown run (negated by Chris Murray’s holding penalty), he responds with a 31-yard touchdown run and it’s 35-14, 2:40 til halftime.

Statistically, this is a blowout. Scoreboard-wise, it’s turning into one.

— JH

12:26 p.m.

David Ugwoegbu comes up with a big third down sack, which marks just the second sack the OU defense has registered during Big 12 play.

— RC 

12:20 p.m.

Oklahoma’s patience on offense has been the key to this first half. Both Eric Gray and Jovantae Barnes are following blockers and churning out yards setting up Gabriel’s darts across the field. Offensive line seems to be in a great rhythm. Oklahoma makes it 28-14.

— RL

12:18 p.m.

Dillon Gabriel’s pump fake did all the work for Theo Wease there. The Kansas defensive back bit hard on the fake leaving Wease wide open down the sideline.

It looked like Wease stepped out of bounds to this reporter’s naked eye during the play, and it’s under review.

UPDATE: Ruling on the field is confirmed. This reporter needs lasik. Oklahoma extends the lead to 28-14 with 5:42 left in the first half.

— RC 

12:17 p.m.

Sooner offense answers the INT with a touchdown — and a nicely designed one, too. After Gabriel overthrows Marvin Mims for a touchdown, Jovantae Barnes moves the chains and Gabriel looks off his primary receiver, then goes back to him, and Theo Wease makes an easy catch on the goal line for a 24-yard touchdown catch.

The previous play is under review.

— JH

12:13 p.m.

What an interception by C.J. Coldon — his second in as many weeks. A leaping, one-handed, falling down pick of Jason Bean and the Sooners have another stop.

I will boldly predict we see a lot more of the Wyoming transfer this season.

— JH

12:09 p.m.

Not ideal, but it’s hard to fault Isaiah Coe on that facemask penalty. Bean faked him high and then ducked under. It’s a huge first down instead of a third-and-long, but Oklahoma fans have to be pleased with the much better effort they’re seeing out of the defensive line today.

— JH

12:05 p.m.

Of note, that was true freshman Robert Spears-Jennings who closed down and laid the hit on Jason Bean. Explosive play from the young safety. Feels like that would have been a massive chunk play in Fort Worth.

— RC 

12:01 p.m.

The quest for rhythm continues.

LV Bunkley-Shelton dropped a pass on first down and Gabriel threw it behind Marvin Mims on third down. Instead of going up two scores, Michael Turk got to punt and the defense will now need a third straight stop to keep the OU advantage at seven points.

— RC 

11:59 a.m.

Just an observation, but it sure looks like Marvin Mims is getting frustrated. Understandably so. That third down throw by Gabriel was behind him on what should have been an easy first down.

— JH

11:54 a.m.

Jason Bean slides short of the first down marker and Lance Leipold sends out the punt team to a big cheer from the OU fans. Sooners now have a chance to extend the lead to a couple of scores and put the Jayhawks at arm’s length.

— RC 

11:53

Crazy what happens when the offense moves the ball. Oklahoma’s a much better team when balancing the game, not playing catch up. Offense has looked natural, and the defense finally feeding off momentum.

— RL

11:50 a.m.

True freshman running back Jovantae Barnes takes the direct snap and carries the ball six yards for the score, putting Oklahoma up 21-14. But it was another true freshman, wide receiver Gavin Freeman, who stole the show on that drive.

Freeman laid out to haul in a 41-yard pass from Dillon Gabriel to set the Sooners up in the red zone. When Freeman touches the ball, good things happen. Great move by the Sooners to add him late in the recruiting process.

— RC 

11:45 a.m.

First quarter is history, and it's knotted up at 14.

-- JH

11:44 a.m.

This week Brent Venables said it’s felt like this team has had no rhythm the past three weeks.

Dillon Gabriel makes a mistake, but the OU defense is there to have his back. Forces a quick three-and-out. Time for the offense to play some complementary football and go score. Otherwise, Oklahoma will once again fail to seize any kind of momentum.

— RC 

11:43 a.m.

Oklahoma’s defense responds to the turnover with a stop of its own, but it’s a net loss for OU as Key Lawrence drops what should have been an easy interception on third-and-11. KU punts it into the end zone and it’s still 14-14.

— JH

11:40 a.m.

The Oklahoma passing game has been infinitely better. But we’ve seen massive dysfunction this drive — a dropped pass by Daniel Parker that could have been a big play, a Gabriel overthrow of Drake Stoops that could have been a huge play, and now a fumble by Gabriel that’s recovered by KU.

The first stop of the day goes to the Jayhawks.

— JH

11:36 a.m.

Jeffery Johnson tried to arm tackle Devin Neal in the hole and it did not go well.

The OU defense forced some negative plays on that drive, but crucially allowed the conversion on third-and-13 to let the Jayhawks continue the drive.

Kansas quarterback Jason Bean has been fearless with the football so far. There will be chances for the OU secondary to pick it off, but if they don’t the Jayhawks are going to continue to put points on the board.

— RC 

11:33 a.m.

Devin Neal just took a handoff 11 yards untouched into the end zone and it’s 14-14.

That play went right at Ethan Downs, who read the action and scraped outside, Jordan Kelley was kicked out and a front-side down block on Jeffery Johnson opened a massive hole.

Also Danny Stutsman got eaten up by a big block from a pulling backside KU lineman. Well-executed by the Jayhawks.

— JH

11:30 a.m.

That throw by Bean to Fairchild was ridiculous. David Ugwoegbu had perfect coverage and the ball slid right past his hand. Another big play in the pass game for KU, who’s threatening again.

— JH

11:25 a.m.

Oklahoma has aired it out on each drive without hesitation. Very clear on those opening series’ the amount of confidence the coaches have in Dillon Gabriel compared to the other quarterbacks in the room. Had a few really nice passes on the money, two productive drives for QB1.

— RL

11:23 a.m.

The difference a starter makes.

Dillon Gabriel already has more passing yards today (101) than Davis Beville had the past two games (88). Offense moving early.

— RC 

11:21 a.m.

It’s a nice little wrinkle to have Dillon Gabriel in the backfield and then have Eric Gray take the direct snap. Touchdown Oklahoma on Gray’s second direct snap of the drive. Two carries, 27 yards and a touchdown. Not a true wildcat package, but I think OU found something last week.

Sooners lead 14-7.

— JH

11:18 a.m.

Oklahoma’s defense looked better on that drive. The Sooners are going with four defensive linemen, but the weak side end is in a two-point stance. So it’s hazy whether they’ll want to qualify this as a 4-down or 3-down alignment.

Either way, Jalen Redmon’s offsides penalty on third-and-6 was a crucial lack of discipline. He’s right over the football.

— JH

11:17 a.m.

That catch feels like the perfect embodiment of the entire defense the last three weeks. Justin Broiles is there to deliver the hit, and the ball bounces right back into Lawrence Arnold’s hands.

Key play on that drive was the encroachment on the first third-and-6. Kansas has the fourth-best third down conversion rate in the country, and the Sooners can’t let the Jayhawks set up in a short yardage situation.

Kansas marched right down the field after that and tied the game up.

— RC 

11:15 a.m.

Tough break for Oklahoma on that opening defensive series. Seemed like a prime chance to get off the field before the jump offsides on third down. Allowed the drive to stay alive and, eventually, a Kansas touchdown. 7-7 ballgame here in the first quarter.

— RL

11:13 a.m.

Kansas scores the tying touchdown with very little resistance. What a catch by Lawrence Arnold, beating Woodi Washington in coverage and taking a big hit from Justin Broiles. Arnold bobbled the ball as he crossed the goal line, caught it and flipped into the end zone.

— JH

11:10 a.m.

OU’s defensive starters:

Grimes - Coe - Redmond - Downs

Stutsman - Ugwoegbu - White

Washington - Broiles - Lawrence - Davis

— RC

11:07 a.m.

Oklahoma just scored on the opening drive for the first time since UTEP.

The Sooners have their first lead since Nebraska.

And now it’s time for the OU defense to show out.

— RC 

11:05 a.m.

It’s a Dillon Gabriel kind of day here in Norman. He completes 5 of his first 7 passes on the opening drive, gives way to Brayden Willis for one wildcat snap, then comes in and hands off to Jovantae Barnes for a 7-0 Sooner lead. It’s OU’s first opening drive TD since the UTEP game (h/t Ryan).

— JH

11:03 a.m.

Oklahoma’s offensive starters:

Harrison - Mettauer - Raym - Murray - Morris

Stoops - Wease - Willis - Mims

Gabriel - Gray

— RC 

11:02 a.m.

Brayden Willis lines up at QB ... and then goes in motion. It's Dillon Gabriel taking the first snap ... and overthrowing Marvin Mims deep.

— JH

11:00 a.m.

Fast start will be extremely important for the Sooners today. They’ll have a chance to set the tone with the ball first here.

— RL

11:00 a.m.

Kansas won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.

Dillon Gabriel and the OU offense coming up first.

— RC 

10:57 a.m.

Dillon Gabriel was a huge part of the pregame hype video. He's actually on the field in full uniform. I think the subterfuge and chicanery is over.

— JH

10:54 a.m.

As expected, a HUGE cheer from the crowd as Dillon Gabriel is announced as the Sooners' starting QB.

— JH

10:32 a.m.

Here is the OU beat's attempt at finding out who is available and who is out today. 

Sooners attendance check with @ryaber, @BPrzybylo and @_RyanChapman: Safety Billy Bowman, WRs Nic Anderson and J.J. Hester and DBs Damond Harmon and Kanai Walker are not dressed for Oklahoma vs Kansas. pic.twitter.com/9V7IMC8YEU

— Eli Lederman (@ByEliLederman) October 15, 2022

— RC 

10:27 a.m.

These anthracite jerseys are absolute fire. They look amazing. But ... they are a spotter's nightmare from the press box. Very difficult to make out the numbers unless the sun hits them just right, and the name on everyone's back is the same: "UNITY."

AllSooners regrets all the errors that are bound to happen today.

— JH

10:24 a.m.

As expected, Billy Bowman is not suited up to play today.

— JH

10:15 a.m.

Hey, Dillon Gabriel is warming up  stop me if you’ve heard this before.

— JH

10:00 a.m.

An OU spokesman told AllSooners that there isn't expected to be a new jersey number for D.J. Graham today. 

The cornerback announced he was sliding over to play wide receiver on Twitter earlier this week. 

— RC