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Oklahoma-Tulane Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Josh Callaway offer their real-time observations from the Sooners' season-opener against Tulane.

SI Editorial

The live blog will be updated throughout Saturday's contest between Oklahoma and Tulane.

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TULANE Q4

(2:47 p.m.)

Here are your final stats:

Screen Shot 2021-09-04 at 2.46.35 PM

(2:46 p.m.)

Kennedy Brooks runs for a first down and Oklahoma is going to ESCAPE an unreal effort from Tulane with a 40-35 victory. On to Western Carolina.

(2:42 p.m.) 

Pratt scrambles away from another sack by Bonitto, but Bonitto gets just enough of him to keep him from picking up the first down. Pratt launches himself, but comes up just inches short on fourth down. Oklahoma ball, 1:55 to play, Sooners lead 40-35.

(2:40 p.m.) 

After a touchdown drive against Oklahoma’s backup defensive line (which was just odd), Grinch turned to the starters, and Perrion Winfrey and Nik Bonitto have been in the backfield on all three plays, including a combined sack on third down. Big fourth down coming up. Strap in.

(2:40 p.m.)

First string d-line comes back and torches the Tulane offensive line. A lesson in the midst of all of this. There is more depth than previous years on the defense for sure.

But the starting unit is still a clear cut above.

Fourth down Green Wave with 2:04 remaining. 

(2:34 p.m.) 

Pratt throws to Will Wallace (not that Will Wallace) for the touchdown and Oklahoma’s lead is now 40-35. There’s 2:18 to play. Tulane has outscored OU 28-3 in the second half. Tulane recovers the onside kick with 2:17 to play. Strap in for an unlikely finish.

(2:34 p.m.)

Fascinating drive from a personnel perspective.

OU needs a stop, and has the starting secondary and linebackers in.

The defensive line? Clayton Smith, Kori Roberson, Isaiah Coe and Reggie Grimes.

After Tulane got into the red zone, the first unit came back in along the trenches. Grinch trying to get the younger guys a taste of high pressure snaps? But at what cost?

(2:30 p.m.) 

Tulane hasn’t been stopped or really even slowed much on three of its last four possessions. This drive has been very efficient. A touchdown here and it’s 40-35 — and the Green Wave is maybe onside kicking to win the game. After a lousy start, it’s been a lousy second half for the Sooners.

(2:23 p.m.) 

Gabe Brkic misses a 31-yard field goal wide left. Riley should have asked for some holding penalties. Brkic was too close.

(2:21 p.m.) 

Weird play: Rattler floats a pass to Haselwood too far inside, the Tulane free safety intercepts, but the cornerback is flagged for pass interference for being engaged all the way down then sideline with Haselwood. Not a good throw and Rattler lucks out of his third pick of the day, but Haselwood had no chance to compete for the catch.

(2:17 p.m.)

People are drawing a lot of parallels between this one and last year’s collapse against Kansas State.

The big difference? There were no Kennedy Brooks’ or Eric Gray’s roaming the sidelines last year in that one. Looking to settle the game, Riley has turned back to his traditional run game and it is paying dividends. Best drive all half for the Sooners, and it’s not close. 

(2:10 p.m.) 

After Tulane makes it 40-28 with 11:28 to play after an exceedingly easy touchdown drive, the press box PA announces today’s history lesson: Gabe Brkic’s three field goals today of 50 yards or more ties the NCAA single-game record.

(2:01 p.m.) 

Spencer Rattler threw just two interceptions in the Sooners’ final six games last year. He’s thrown two today. Tulane’s Macon Clark just picked one off with 13:51 to play.

(1:58 p.m.) 

Andrew Raym is in the game. It’s his first snaps of 2021. He was slated as the starter, but Robert Congel has been the man today. We’ve heard the unsubstantiated rumors about Raym, but he’s here and he’s playing.

(1:58 p.m.)

Andrew Raym finally enters the game at center. Erik Swenson is also back, this time working at left guard in relief of Marquis Hayes.

(1:54 p.m.)

Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell getting some work at the nickel spot while Key Lawrence and Pat Fields hold things down on the back end.

Interesting to see if this is Grinch getting Turner-Yell some reps in a low pressure situation, or legitimately giving it a look in an attempt to get the best 11 guys on the field.

(1:53 p.m.)

Here are your third-quarter stats:

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(1:49 p.m.) 

Forget rock star. Kicker Gabe Brkic is a superhero. He just hit his third 50-plus field goal of the day, this one from 55. That’s after a 56-yarder to end the half. Ryan predicts a Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honor. Hoover says think bigger: Lou Groza National Player of the Week. Sooners lead 40-22.

(1:46 p.m.)

Spencer Rattler remains the least evasive Oklahoma quarterback under Lincoln Riley, and it’s not particularly close. His touchdown run against OSU last year looks even more impressive every time he fails to juke out a Tulane defender.

(1:42 p.m.)

Really nice performance this afternoon by Reggie Grimes, who will spend the year backing up Isaiah Thomas.

The Tennessee native has recorded two tackles, one of which was for a loss, as well as forcing one of Pratt’s fumbles.

Grimes has been incredibly active, and a massive physical mismatch for the Tulane offensive line. A very nice development for Grinch’s defense to be able to trust Thomas’ understudy. 

(1:40 p.m.) 

Michael Pratt scores on a 4-yard keeper, but pays for it: he took a hard hit on what looked like his right thigh. He’s been beaten up pretty bad this game. It’s now 37-22. Tulane 2-point conversion is good. Oklahoma came in a 32-point favorite.

(1:36 p.m.) 

Oklahoma’s defense is making life miserable for Tulane QB Michael Pratt. He’s being chased or hit on just about every play now. Just lost his helmet after evading a sack by Brian Asamoah. Caleb Kelly and Danny Stutsman sandwiched him earlier on this drive.

(1:32 p.m.)

I (Ryan), for one, am incredibly upset that we haven’t gotten to see punter Michael Turk yet. Give the people what they want! 

(1:27 p.m.)

Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a ton of rotation along the Oklahoma offensive line. Swenson and Murray appear to be trading drives right guard, but otherwise the rest of the line has remained largely unchanged.

Hate to draw far-reaching opinions off of two and a half quarters of football, but fascinating that Wanya Morris doesn’t appear to be getting any work to battle Anton Harrison at left tackle. 

(1:23 p.m.) 

A nice Tulane drive fizzles with a missed field goal. Perrion Winfrey’s 3-yard TFL was big on third down, but in the red zone, Latrell McCutchin and Justin Broiles were among the OU DBs. Many of the guys OU has “turned to” today have played well. Shows a high level of trust from Alex Grinch and CBs coach Roy Manning.

(1:20 p.m.)

Pat Fields should have had OU’s fourth turnover of the day.

The senior safety had to catch up, as there was a coverage bust that left the Tulane receiver running wide open down the seam. While Fields did a good job of recovering, he wasn’t able to correctly position himself to make the play on Pratt’s under thrown ball because he was working so hard to make up for the coverage bust.

File that under small things in need of some polish before Kansas State and Texas. 

(1:17 p.m.) 

Isaiah Thomas was lucky to not get called for hands to the QB’s face or unnecessary roughness on that takedown of Pratt, and Billy Bowman nearly recovered the fumble after the short completion. It’s early, but seems targeting and roughness calls have been diminished nationwide so far this season.

(1:15 p.m.) 

Oklahoma will kick off and defend the south end zone to start the third quarter.

(1:02 p.m.)

That slow start already feels like a really long time ago.

Offense has left some points on the board and still has 37 up thanks in large part to the defense forcing turnovers (Grinch's goal since Day 1) and giving them a short field. Also Gabe Brkic has been automatic, which could be key down the road.

Rattler has some missed some throws but overall had a solid first half, it has helped him, obviously, that Marvin Mims has been a terror for the Green Wave through the first 30 minutes. 

Also, it is warm out there. Just want to throw that out there as well. 

(12:57 p.m.)

Sure, the start was slow for the defense. But man did they ever recover.

Forced three turnovers in the first half, all off of Tulane’s Pratt, and held the Green Wave to just 33 rushing yards.

It felt like most of the yardage given up on the first two drives through the air came on coverage busts, which is going to happen from time to time with a pair of young corners. Encouraging recovery in the second quarter. 

(12:55 p.m.)

Here are your halftime stats. Oklahoma started slow but has really established itself.

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(12:53 p.m.)

Unbelievable. Gabe Brkic nails a 56-yard field goal as the first half expires. His second 50-burger of the day. Sooners lead Tulane 37-14 at halftime.

(12:49 p.m.)

The defense strikes again.

Reggie Grimes forced another Pratt fumble, and Redmond got in there and fought for the football after it looked like a sure Tulane recovery (not that it mattered, would have been a turnover on downs).

Sooners now get the ball at the 41-yard-line with 32 seconds left in the half. 

Three first half turnovers forced by the Sooners. 

(12:47 p.m.)

So, so close for Billy Bowman.

Read the play perfectly and stepped up to make an athletic grab, but was unable to bring the ball down and complete the interception. Credit to him though, he climbed the ladder to even make a play of the football. Exactly the ball-hawking instincts Grinch and Roy Manning love to see. 

(12:42 p.m.) 

Pratt scrambles out of initial trouble, but before heading into slide, he takes a big hit from Key Lawrence. Flags go up. Targeting is called. Review coming. Teammates said Lawrence brings a certain grit to the defensive backfield. Think we saw some of it there. 

The targeting call is rescinded (Lawrence gets to stay), but the 15-yard penalty remains as Pratt was hit while sliding.

(12:34 p.m.)

Not sure who has been more excited today, Nik Bonitto after his fumble recovery or Mario Williams after that touchdown. Both were fired up heading to the sidelines, but cool to see the true freshman out there and enjoying his collegiate debut.

Should have been brought down, but Williams was just flat-out faster than everyone else on the field.

Also, the OU offense has already exhausted Boomer and Sooner. A very light trot to get the Schooner out and around after that last touchdown.  

(12:32 p.m.) 

Rattler to Mario Williams on a short swing pass, and the acrobatic Williams somersaults into the end zone just over the pylon. I get the feeling Mario is gonna be fun to watch.

(12:28 p.m.) 

The Philly Special — Mario Williams reverse, throw to Jadon Haselwood — for a gain of 11 yards … probably not how Lincoln Riley drew that one up.

(12:25 p.m.) 

The defensive substitutions have reached down and grabbed true freshman Latrell McCutchin. Also, Marcus Stripling looks chiseled. He came in that third down for Caleb Kelly at rush linebacker and provided pressure on that Isaiah Thomas sack.

(12:21 p.m.) 

Rattler with a couple of high throws on 2nd and 3rd down. Jeremiah Hall probably prevented another INT when he reached up to tip his on second down. Gabe Brkic drills a 51-yard field goal to put Oklahoma up 27-14.

(12:20 p.m.)

Young and old coming together to make a little bit of magic for the Sooners.

True freshman linebacker Danny Stutsman was in on the play to force the quarterback Pratt back to the middle of the field — and into Isaiah Thomas’ arms. Thomas forced the fumble, and another true freshman, Clayton Smith, was rallying to the football and position to pounce on an easy fumble recovery. 

(12:18 p.m.) 

Tulane QB Michael Pratt scrambles and fumbles for the second play in a row. The fumble was caused by pursuit contact from Isaiah Thomas and recovered by true freshman Clayton Smith.

(12:15 p.m.)

Riley was not happy with the officials on that drive.

Making his case that both Haselwood and Mario Williams were interfered with. Looked like the Tulane corner actually got his hand inside Williams’ pads and ripped him away from the football.

Not sure if Riley’s complaints were well received… 

(12:11 p.m.) 

Nik Bonitto knows turnovers equal victory. He pounced on that fumbled snap quickly, and the Sooners set up at the 11-yard line. Tulane's defense stiffens, though, and here comes Gabe Brkic for a 26-yard field goal. Sooners lead is 24-14.

(12:12 p.m.)

Talk about the #SpeedD…. Pratt can’t wrangle the snap and Bonitto’s jump off the line was so good he was able to fall on it before Pratt knew what had happened.

Impressive reaction off the ball from Bonitto, and the turnover was much needed to get the defense flying high again. 

(12:07 p.m.)

Tulane doesn’t have much of an answer for Oklahoma’s offense, especially Marvin Mims.

This game also showing some signs of chippiness, both Rattler and Mike Woods were having some discussions with Tulane players throughout that drive. 

(12:07 p.m.)

The Oklahoma offense is as advertised.

Really just a poor decision by Rattler on the first drive of the game, have looked good otherwise.

It is a bit surprising that Brian Darby has gotten so much run this early on. He’s not a guy the coaches talked a ton about all camp, but he’s had two pretty big catches so far in reserve of Drake Stoops.

(12:06 p.m.) 

After an awkward looking sneak by Rattler got nothing, Kennedy Brooks with the 1-yard touchdown to give Oklahoma its first lead of the day. It’s 21-14.

(12:03 p.m.) 

After Eric Gray scuffled a bit behind the starting offensive line, a couple of changes up front and Kennedy Brooks has given the Oklahoma running game a boost. Back to back runs of 32 and 5 yards sets the Sooners up on the goal line. Fourth and goal coming up...

(12:01 p.m.)

Chris Murray back in at right guard. The Murray/Swenson game of musical chairs has been the only offensive line rotation so far.

Rattler doing a much better job on drive No. 4 of working through his reads to find guys over the middle. Only missed Mims on a scramble drill, but he had already exited the pocket and tucked the ball before Mims got separation. 

(11:53 a.m.)

Here are your first-quarter stats:

Screen Shot 2021-09-04 at 11.52.50 AM

(11:52 a.m.)

Redmond and Winfrey are going to be a formidable duo at the heart of the OU defensive line. Effective in both the run game and pass defense.

And oh yeah, Winfrey got the Mike Myers theme from Halloween on third downs. Must be a happy camper. 

(11:51 a.m.) 

Perrion Winfrey and Jalen Redmond collide on a tackle for loss … and the “Halloween” theme comes over the PA on third down. And the Sooners force a punt.

(11:50 a.m.) 

With two Tulane touchdowns allowed so far, Alex Grinch subs his two senior experienced safeties for career backup Justin Broiles and Tennessee transfer Key Lawrence. OU needs answers on defense. That could be one of them.

(11:46 a.m.) 

Caleb Williams comes in at QB as the goal line threat. His first play as a Sooner is a 2-yard touchdown run. The Caleb Williams era has begun with a Belldozer play and the game is tied 14-14.

(11:44 a.m.) 

Rattler is now 11-of-12 for 136 yards. The one INC was an INT. Wait, now they’re reviewing the Mims touchdown.

Actually, Mims was ruled out of bounds. So 11-of-12 for 134 yards, no TDs. The gain was 50 yards.

(11:43 a.m.)

Erik Swenson entered the game at right guard on that drive, though the sample size wasn’t bit enough to really draw anything from it.

Nice play by Rattler on the touchdown, however. Knew he had the free play after Tulane jumped offsides, so just air it out vertically and let the chips fall where they may.

(11:40 a.m.) 

Rattler play-action flip to Mims might have been a 75-yard touchdown, but Mims bobbled the ball twice and had to slow down. Still nets 22 yards. Two plays later, Mims catches a 51-yard touchdown from Rattler. Huge answer.

(11:36 a.m.)

Tulane answers. The Green Wave go 74 yards in just four plays, 1:15 possession time. A major coverage bust on a short throw to Tyrick James nets 43 yards, and Jaetavian Toles takes it in into the end zone untouched. Credit Tulane for having a plan and executing it, but the Sooners defense needs to figure some things out.

(11:36 a.m.)

True freshman Kelvin Gilliam got in on that drive, arriving in Norman this summer after playing his high school season during the spring.

Also, while Billy Bowman did pack on some muscle over the summer, it didn’t help him much there. Tried to arm tackle the running back Toles and missed it. Went from play being blown up at the line of scrimmage to a touchdown for the Green Wave.

(11:32 a.m.) 

 After that first-throw INT — a standard call but a risky throw into traffic — it was smart of Lincoln Riley to settle Spencer Rattler down with some safer throws: Haselwood for 24, Hall for 12, Mario Williams for 11, Mike Woods for 12, Darby for 10. Maybe now he’s more in a rhythm.

(11:29 a.m.) 

Riley was absolutely giving it to the official after Eric Gray was ruled short of the goal line. It didn’t end up mattering, but the official was getting an ear full until well after the next play. 

(11:27 a.m.)

Riley used a Mario Williams screen twice on first down, both times getting plenty of positive yardage, in lieu of handing the ball off to either Eric Gray or Kennedy Brooks.

When you have a WR room as talented as Oklahoma, you don’t have to move many guys over to the running backs room to make up for depth. Just have to find creative ways to use those guys in the passing game. 

(11:26 a.m.) 

Rattler with the nifty bootleg throw to Brian Darby for 10 yards to the Tulane 2. Darby isn’t someone we expected to see making important catches this soon. It appeared Gray scored on the next play, but no review. Rattler sneaks for a touchdown and it’s 7-7. Sooners overcame a couple of false start penalties on that drive. 

(11:23 a.m.) 

Rattler swing pass to Michael Woods picks up 14 yards and nearly goes the distance before he steps out. Hoover picked Woods to lead the team in catches and yards this season.

(11:21 a.m.)

Lincoln Riley already showing a bit of creativity.

Deploys Mario Williams for a little bubble screen — exactly the type of play Mike Leach used to preach was essentially a run play in his offense. Keeping the RB’s safe.

(11:20 a.m.) 

Jadon Haselwood with the 24-yard catch after a loss of 1 on first down. Sooners finally have something positive happen. Can they sustain the little momentum surge early?

(11:15 a.m.) 

Michael Pratt’s touchdown pass to Cameron Carroll puts Tulane up 7-0. He was wide open. Sooner defense gonna have to get some things figured out. Tulane has a new offensive coordinator, so there probably wasn’t much film to go on.

(11:13 a.m.) 

Apparently D.J. Graham seems to be wearing No. 48 for kickoffs only. Tear-off jersey. He’s back in No. 9.

(11:13 a.m.)

Jaden Davis got the start over D.J. Graham, but those two should rotate plenty. 

Also, Jalen Redmond made his return as the starting defensive tackle alongside Perrion Winfrey. 

(11:10 a.m.)

Y.G. Booker brings in a  beauty of a catch for 31 yards on Tulane's first play. Did the Sooners wake up in New Orleans today?

(11:09 a.m.)

Spencer Rattler's first throw of 2021 is INTERCEPTED. Deep corner route to Mims, but Tulane had coverage in front and over the top. Bad throw.

Rattler had Gray with plenty of space to his left in the flats, but forced the throw to Mims. Simply didn't take what the defense gave him, much like last year, but it could just be first drive jitters. 

(11:08 a.m.)

Haselwood, Mims, Woods and Stogner are the Sooners receivers. Eric Gray starts at RB.

(11:07 a.m.)

D.J. Graham is wearing No. 48 today instead of No. 9.

(11:06 a.m.)

The crowd seems kind of tame so far. It's about 3/4 full, but it is scorchingly hot. Tulane wins the toss and defers. Oklahoma took the ball. 

(10:59 a.m.)

Spencer Rattler gets the biggest fan ovation as the Sooners starters are introduced on the scoreboard. 

Rattler's official 2021 Heisman Trophy campaign begins now.

(10:18 a.m.) 

The Sooners have taken the field for warm ups and some news is already filtering its way out. 

Gabe Ikard has reported that Drake Stoops and Jordan Kelly will be absent from today's contest. 

Ikard also listed the first starting offensive line grouping of the season, with Anton Harrison starting at left tackle, Marquis Hayes at left guard, Arizona transfer Robert Congel at center, Chris Murray at right guard and Tyrese Robinson at right tackle. 

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