Why Oklahoma DB Peyton Bowen's Punt Block Almost Didn't Happen

The true freshman blocked SMU's first punt on Saturday, helping the Sooners take an early lead against the visiting Mustangs.

NORMAN — Even the best laid plans sometimes get scrapped.

True freshman safety Peyton Bowen found that out firsthand on Saturday night.

Minutes into No. 18-ranked Oklahoma’s contest against SMU, the Sooner defense forced a punt.

OU showed pressure and went after Mustang punter Ryan Bujcevski. Bowen came screaming in off the edge and got a piece of the kick, setting up the Sooners with excellent field position at the 40-yard line in SMU territory.

The blocked punt by Peyton Bowen. 🔥pic.twitter.com/BnBGYBgI2m

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 9, 2023

Three plays later, Oklahoma wide receiver Andrel Anthony waltzed into the end zone, scoring the first touchdown of what would become a 28-11 victory for the Sooners.

“Great job,” OU coach Brent Venables said of the blocked kick after the game. “Coach (Jay) Valai and Coach (Jay) Nunez called it. Said 'We gonna block a punt.' And we thought it was gonna be another guy, and Peyton did it.

“… So proud of Peyton and that unit overall.”

The former 5-star recruit showed off his instincts to get a hand up and block the punt, but Venables was right.

Oklahoma thought “another guy” was going to block the punt because Bowen wasn’t supposed to try and block the punt at all.

“Man I wasn't even supposed to go, I ain't gonna lie,” Bowen said after the game. “I was supposed to help block for a blocker and then it kind of just like — we didn't get lined up correctly early. And he blocked so hard down I saw no guard, like no shield and I was like, 'Let's go make a play.' And that's what I did, and it ended up working out in our favor.

“It was one of those take-a-risk moments and it worked.”

The Sooners worked on Bowen throughout the entire recruiting cycle, surviving his initial commitment to Notre Dame and persevering through his shocking signing day flip to Oregon, because he’s a playmaker of the highest order.

“You can’t teach that,” OU cheetah linebacker Justin Harrington said. “… He’s just an athletic kid. He can do a lot of things that are maybe out of his realm. He might not think he can do it but he’s capable of doing a lot of things.”

Harrington was right about Bowen’s versatility as his impact wasn’t just limited to the first-quarter punt block.

SMU’s back was against the wall in the fourth quarter. OU had just extended the lead to 21-11, and the Mustangs were backed up into fourth-and-5 at their own 30-yard line.

Freshman quarterback Preston Stone looked to his left and threw the ball to Jason Kerley near the first down marker, but Bowen made a play on the football. He broke up the pass, and Jeff Lebby’s offense immediately cashed in, sealing the victory for the Sooners.

The freshman @PeytonBowen10 with a clutch PBU on 4th down. 🔥pic.twitter.com/JvHO1V9pxV

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 10, 2023

“I was just doing my job,” Bowen said. “If I was late on that job he would have caught it for a first down. So that's where it really just comes into to knowing my responsibility and doing it.

“… Just do your job and things will happen. And that's exactly what happened on that play.”

The pass breakup capped off a game where Bowen was deployed all over the field.

More than just a safety, he was used at cheetah linebacker when Harrington was pulled off the field, and at one point he even appeared to play middle linebacker alongside Danny Stutsman when the Mustangs found themselves in third-and-long.

“It's just that next man up mentality,” Bowen said. “If I want to play, I need to know all those positions. … I’m ready to go in because I'm ready to play.

“I want to get those moments. Get thrown into the fire. It's great experience. I love playing for this school. It's amazing.”

Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen made a clutch play on fourth down to help ice OU's 28-11 win over SMU on Saturday night :: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

Last week against Arkansas State, Bowen was ready as well. He helped lay a hit that allowed cornerback Kani Walker to force a fumble in the 73-0 rout of the Red Wolves.

Just two games into his Oklahoma career, Venables believes Bowen is only scratching the surface of what he can be for the Sooners.

“He's only going to get better. I don't know how good,” Venables said. “… I love Peyton. He's just so innocent. He don't know what he don't know yet.

“But he makes plays, and he's super coachable. I love his humility. He has no ego whatsoever, and that's what's going to allow him to become a great player.

“He's a hard-working dude, and he cares about his teammates. He values the opportunity, so he had a couple of really good plays tonight.”

There’s no telling what Bowen has in store next weekend when OU hits the road to take on Tulsa. Saturday night, he said he’d like to haul in his first interception at Oklahoma.

But overall he was happy with how he played against SMU, especially after helping capture the first-quarter momentum with the blocked punt.

“It was low-key live,” he said. “… I feel like personally it was one of those more upbeat games where it was close for the whole game until the fourth (quarter).

“And so it was a surreal moment. Once I saw I had the opportunity I was like, 'Dang, it would be nice to block it.' But hey, it worked out.”

---

• Sign up for your premium membership to AllSooners.com today, and get access to the entire Fan Nation premium network!
• Follow AllSooners on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest OU news!
• Want even more Sooners news? Check out the SI.com OU team page here!
• Listen and subscribe to the AllSooners Podcast!
• Watch more Sooners videos and subscribe on YouTube!