All Sooners

WATCH: Oklahoma Freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Somersault Sets Up Barnes TD

The Sooners freshman relieved a struggling Jackson Arnold and found his stride early in the fourth quarter.

Bryce McKinnis

Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) warms up before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma (OU) and Temple at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) warms up before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma (OU) and Temple at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. / NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
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NORMAN — Oklahoma freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. front-flipped just short of the end zone to set up a Jovantae Barnes 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the Sooners' SEC debut against No. 7 Tennessee.

Hawkins' 1-yard touchdown pass to Jovantae Barnes completed a 10-play, 68-yard drive that put the Sooners down 22-9 earlier in the quarter. A play before, Hawkins Jr. lowered his shoulder for an 11-yard gain. The Sooners believed he eclipsed the end zone, but an official review determined he was tackled inside of the 1-yard line.

The Sooners went for a 2-point conversion for the second time Saturday and failed for the second time as Hawkins was wrapped up short of a gain.

Hawkins entered the game on Oklahoma's final drive of the first half to relieve Jackson Arnold.

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Bryce McKinnis
BRYCE MCKINNIS

Bryce is a contributor for AllSooners and has been featured in several publications, including the Associated Press, the Tulsa World and the Norman Transcript. A Tishomingo native, Bryce’s sports writing career began at 17 years old when he filed his first story for the Daily Ardmoreite. As a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, he worked on several award-winning projects, including The Vista’s coverage of the 2021 UCO cheer hazing scandal. After graduating in 2021, Bryce took his first job covering University of Tulsa and Oral Roberts University sports for the Tulsa World before accepting a role as managing editor of VYPE Magazine in 2022. - UCO Mass Communications/Sports Feature (2019) - UCO Mass Communications/Investigative Reporting (2021) - UCO College of Liberal Arts/Academic presentation, presidential politics and ideology (2021) - OBEA/Multimedia reporting (2021) - Beat Writer, The Tulsa World (2021-2022) - Managing Editor, VYPE Magazine (2022-2023)

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