Oklahoma's First Fall Scrimmage Yields Mixed Results
NORMAN — Oklahoma scrimmaged for the first time this year on Saturday, and head coach Brent Venables described the 127-play practice between the offense and defense as “incredibly competitive” but “far from perfect.”
“Really good work back and forth. Big plays on both sides of the ball. And really pleasing to see,” Venables said Monday following the Sooners’ ninth practice of fall camp. “You can be mad at both sides or be happy with both sides. That’s a great thing. Incredibly competitive. All good-on-good work.”
Venables and his staff continue to work at developing depth charts and “seeing who can play consistently and knows what to do and plays fast and aggressive.”
“I like our leadership. Again, great strain. Great competition. But trying to continue to grow the team up,” he said. “Had 114 plays not including 13 plays of special teams on Saturday and came out of it really relatively healthy. Might have a guy here or there with a (muscle) pull or something but it was really really really good. Lots to teach from off the tape. Far from perfect.”
Receiver Andrel Anthony, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Michigan with speed to burn, stood out in the scrimmage, according to Venables, with two long touchdowns.
“He’s done well. Had some big plays in the scrimmage," Venables said. "Another big play out here today (at practice). He’s gaining more and more confidence every day that he practices."
Another receiver who had a big day Saturday was sophomore Nic Anderson, who scored three TDs against the No. 2 defense. Venables credits wide receivers coach Emmett Jones with bringing along Anthony and the others.
"Emmett’s done a nice job of getting (Anthony) involved and teaching him and getting him to learn how to play fast," he said. "Utilize his skillset. Be competitive in tough situations. Third down, third and medium, you got to have a play. Making tough competitive plays. When the defense is in position, you gotta make plays. He’s done that as have other guys. But Andrel’s had a nice camp too.”
Venables, whose team opens the season at home Sept. 2 against Arkansas State, said there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“We’ve still got a long way to go. Not coach speak, we’ve just got a lot we’ve got to improve on,” he said. “But we’ve got, from Saturday, three weeks. Every day counts. We’re a week away from school starting so we’ve got to make all these days count."
Another star from Saturday was defensive lineman Gracen Halton, who scored a defensive touchdown. Halton had two sacks in the Red/White Game in April and could be on the verge of breaking out.
“I like the spirit of the team," Venables said. "We’re in a good spot. And again, love the competition on both sides of the ball. We’ve got some young guys in some spots that are growing up really really fast. Love seeing them get in there and get an opportunity with different groups and sub packages to see what they can do. So really, it’s in a really good part of camp right now. It’s exciting coming off that first scrimmage.”
The Sooners have scheduled another full scrimmage for Wednesday, and later in camp will conduct a half-scrimmage with lots of situational work, Venables said.
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