OU notepad: Arnold, Hester connect vs. Maine for another big play
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — Jackson Arnold wasn't sure where to go. The Sooners, leading Maine 21-7 in the second quarter, were backed up deep in their end zone as Arnold was flushed outside the pocket. As the Black Bears got close, Arnold spotted Hester down the field in one-on-one coverage. Arnold heaved it down the field, and Hester...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma TE Kaden Helms Overcame Two Years of Injuries, Surgery to Reach End Zone Against Maine
(by Bryce McKinnis) NORMAN — Redshirt-sophomore tight end Kaden Helms has made himself a hard person to root against inside Oklahoma’s locker room. “Kaden Helms, what a great story,” interim Sooners Offensive Coordinator Joe Jon Finley said Saturday after OU’s 59-14 throttling of Maine. “He came back. What a hard injury. He fought...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
'He's a leader': Jovantae Barnes' career day leads OU to much-needed win over Maine
(by Daniel Homrok) During fall camp, Brent Venables made Jovantae Barnes speak in front of his teammates. Typically quiet and reserved, the spotlight was now on Barnes, as he got up and offered his journey to the newcomers and young guys on the roster. The previous season, Barnes had battled through a foot injury which held him to eight...read more from the OU Daily
Brent Venables Postgame Press Conference | Oklahoma 59, Maine 14
Instant analysis: Oklahoma shakes off uneasy start, rolls past Maine for 59-14 win
(by Tom Green) NORMAN — The start was inauspicious. The rest was incomparable for Oklahoma, at least during this turbulent season. On a grey and gloomy day in which kickoff was moved up 2 ½ hours due to expected inclement weather in the area, Oklahoma endured a sluggish start against Maine before pulling away from its FCS...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Oklahoma Defeats the MIGHTY MAINE BEARS 59-14 (WE ARE SO BACK!!!)
OU 59, Maine 14: Takeaways from a much-needed blowout
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — Considering Oklahoma had lost three consecutive games and still face a tough schedule to end the year, the Sooners just needed something to build momentum against Maine. They got that, finishing Saturday's game with a 59-14 win over Maine. It wasn't the prettiest game, especially early, when the Black Bears...read more from the OUInsider
OU-Maine quick-hit: Sooners have their 'get right' game
(by Bob Przybylo) All week, talked about this OU game as the quintessential ‘get right’ game for the Sooners. Oklahoma would focus on Oklahoma, as head coach Brent Venables would say, and worry about execution. An early hiccup aside, that’s exactly what it turned out to be. OU had a bunch of feel-good moments in its victory against visiting...read more from the SoonerScoop
Three Quick Takeaways From Oklahoma's Victory Over Maine
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — The first two drives on Saturday proved to be a hiccup. Oklahoma fell behind 7-0 on a gray morning at Owen Field, but quickly got right to blow out the Maine Black Bears 59-14. Jovantae Barnes’ 74-yard almost touchdown sparked the Sooners, and they never looked back. It was an important week to build some...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma-Maine GameDay Preview: Under the Radar
(by John E. Hoover) The Sooners play the Black Bears on Saturday, but a difficult finishing stretch also has their attention, and these are players that could fly under the radar. Samuel Franklin The Sooners will get the running game going on Saturday behind a surging Jovantae Barnes and an improving Taylor Tatum. But the really big numbers could...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma-Maine Preview: Three Keys to the Game
(by John E. Hoover) NORMAN — Oklahoma’s game against Maine on Saturday isn’t getting a whole lot of attention among the OU faithful. Although the game has been labeled a sellout by OU, there will be thousands of empty seats when the game kicks off at its new start time of 11 a.m. Most of those might try to tune in on SEC Network +, but ESPN...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
OU-Maine moved to 11 a.m. kickoff
(by Bob Przybylo) OU fans watching the weather all week knew Saturday afternoon and evening is looking to be dicey across the state, and the University has adjusted. It was announced Friday afternoon that OU-Maine will now be at 11 a.m. It was originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The contest will still be on SEC Network+ and ESPN+...read more from the SoonerScoop
What uniform are the Oklahoma Sooners wearing Saturday?
(by Aaron Gelvin) The Oklahoma Sooners will have a different look when they take the field on Saturday. OU will be breaking out the alternate “Unity” anthracite uniforms against the Maine Black Bears this week to celebrate Military Appreciation Day. It’s the third time that the “Unity” look has been on display for OU. The Sooners wore the look...read more from the Sooners Wire
Young players who need to see playing time against Maine
(by Jesse Crittenden) The Maine game comes at a fantastic time for Oklahoma. The Sooners (4-4, 1-4) have dropped three straight games by a combined 69 points, with each loss coming by double digits. Now, a non-conference contest that appeared to be an afterthought is now a much-needed opportunity for the Sooners to regroup before...read more from the OUInsider
Column: Why Oklahoma Football is Not Going in the Right Direction
(by John E. Hoover) NORMAN — A lot of Oklahoma fans agree with football coach Brent Venables on one thing. “I know at the end of the day, losing three straight really sucks,” Venables said this week. “It stinks.” Yep. The coach and fan base see eye-to-eye on that one. The Sooners are mired in a three-game losing streak, and it’s the second time...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Sooners Illustrated Podcast Ep. 124 | Jackson Arnold’s future at OU + Examining some OC candidates
(by Josh Callaway) Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway, Collin Kennedy and James D. Jackson hit some recruiting news, forecast Jackson Arnold's future at Oklahoma and examine some potential offensive coordinator candidates for the Sooners. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway, Collin Kennedy and James D. Jackson hit some recruiting news...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Oklahoma Working to 'Pepper the Rock' to Get Back to Forcing Turnovers Against Maine
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Oklahoma’s defense is hoping to reverse a trend on Saturday. The Sooners failed to force a turnover two weeks ago against South Carolina, and the only takeaway of the game against Ole Miss came when receiver J.J. Hester dislodged the football to erase OU’s own fumble. With the FCS’ Maine Black Bears (4-4, 2-3 CAA)...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
SoonerScoop podcast: All eyes still on the OU offense
(by Bob Przybylo) When the OU schedule was released, this was supposed to be the take a deep breath and get ready for the stretch run weekend. Nobody is expecting Maine to be competitive, but the outlook of post-Maine is a lot different. Because maybe you have one eye on 2024, but a lot of attention is going toward 2025...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
Sooners On SI Podcast, Ep. 262
(by John E. Hoover) Sooners On SI's John Hoover and Ryan Chapman present episode 262 of the Sooners On SI Podcast: a quick recap of Oklahoma's 26-14 loss at Ole Miss, a look ahead to this week's game with Maine, a breakdown of the Brent Venables press conference and the state of the OU program, a special visit from fellow OU podcaster...listen to podcast from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma's Defense Can Build Around 'Fantastic' Freshmen Jayden Jackson and David Stone
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Much of the rest of the 2024 season will be about getting Oklahoma back on track in 2025. OU’s offense is in a state of flux as Brent Venables looks for his third offensive coordinator, but the Sooner defense is clearly moving in the right direction. Though Oklahoma has failed to force a turnover on defense in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
