R Mason Thomas set to return for Oklahoma in College Football Playoff
(by Brody Lusk) If there was one moment that flipped Oklahoma’s season, it happened under the lights in Neyland Stadium on November 1. The game was scoreless, Tennessee was driving, and then everything changed. Owen Heinecke stripped the ball from Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar, and R Mason Thomas scooped it up and returned...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels Ready for 'Real Special' Home-State Finale in CFP
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — It's been a big week on top of a big season for Kendal Daniels. The transfer from Oklahoma State just recently celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday and hopes to celebrate a College Football Playoff win on Friday in Norman. The location of the game holds special meaning for someone who grew up in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma's Special Teams Success Goes Far Beyond Tate Sandell, Grayson Miller and Isaiah Sategna
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — Kicker Tate Sandell, punter Grayson Miller and punt returner Isaiah Sategna have received the bulk of attention among Oklahoma’s players for the Sooners’ special teams success this season. But the reasons for OU’s success among the group goes far deeper than just players kicking the ball and the ones...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
SoonerScoop podcast: Will the OU defense figure out Bama a second time?
(by Bob Przybylo) There is a reason OU fans are feeling pretty confident heading into the rematch against Alabama. They remember what the OU defense was able to do against Bama in the second half. For all the success the Crimson Tide had early, the Sooners put the clamps on that vaunted offense when it mattered most...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
Pre-Snap Read: Oklahoma vs. Alabama, Pt. 2
(by Bryan Clinton) Here we go again. After putting together the most impressive stretch of football in Brent Venables’ tenure, No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 SEC) is set to host their first-ever home College Football Playoff game in Norman. Their opponent is a familiar one, as No. 9 Alabama (10-3, 7-1 SEC) comes to town looking to avenge a 23-21 loss...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Says RBs Have Been 'Really Tough' Throughout Rehab Process
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — The Sooners are hoping that their running back room will be a bit fresher when they take on Alabama on Friday. Oklahoma went 4-0 in its grueling final four-game stretch that included games against Tennessee and Alabama on the road and Missouri and LSU at home. The Sooners did so with running back...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Availability Report: Updates on R Mason Thomas, Jake Maikkula ahead of College Football Playoff
(by Jesse Crittenden) The first College Football Playoff availability report brought some interesting news for the Sooners. All eyes have been on defensive end R Mason Thomas and center Jake Maikkula ahead of Friday’s first-round clash with Alabama (7 p.m. CT, ABC). Fortunately for the Sooners, Thomas is not listed and is on track to be...read more from the OUInsider
Tony Jefferson sends loud message to 5-star safety eyeing Oklahoma
(by Dekota Gregory) It's been over a decade since Tony Jefferson played a game for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he's still trying to help his alma mater win football games all these years later. Honor Fa’alave Johnson, a five-star safety in the 2027 class, on Tuesday included OU in his top 10 school options, as well as Texas, Texas A&M...read more from Stormin' in Norman
SIP Ep. 234 | Will R Mason Thomas and Jake Maikkula play vs Alabama? + Could we see Jovantae Barnes?
(by Josh Callaway) With just three days until Oklahoma finally takes the field in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy dive into the latest rumblings out of Norman as they try to sift through the availability of defensive end...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Why this season has been the 'culmination of everything' for Tate Sandell
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — After a regular season filled with big moments and incredibly meaningful field goals, the accolades have piled up for Tate Sandell. The Lou Groza Award. First-Team All SEC. SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. Just to name a few. But for Sandell, this season has been more meaningful than simply earning...read more from the OUInsider
'One Day at a Time:' Oklahoma QB John Mateer Ready for 'Dream Come True' in CFP Matchup
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — John Mateer has had time to reflect on the regular season in these last two weeks. As his No. 8-ranked Sooners prepare to take on the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday night, he knows the standard at the University of Oklahoma — particularly with its quarterbacks — demands nothing less than excellence...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Why Oklahoma's Offense has Brent Venables 'Fired Up' Ahead of the CFP
(by Ryan Chapman) Brent Venables was fired up about how Oklahoma’s offense closed down practice on Monday. “The offense finished the day with a two-minute (drill),” he said on his weekly Coaches Show on Monday night. “They had 38 seconds, one timeout, they needed a field goal to go win. And man, they went.” Closing Monday’s practice...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Everything Ben Arbuckle said ahead of Oklahoma's College Football Playoff matchup with Alabama
(by Collin Kennedy) The Oklahoma Sooners are back in the College Football Playoff. A six-year hiatus ends as OU prepares to enter the sport's new-look postseason tournament. No. 8 Oklahoma will host No. 9 Alabama in Norman for the first ever playoff game from Owen Field. Kickoff between the Sooners and Crimson Tide is set for 7 p.m...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Observations From Oklahoma's Open Practice Session Ahead of the CFP
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Ahead of Friday’s College Football Playoff contest against Alabama, Oklahoma opened up a 15-minute portion of Monday’s practice to local media members. Here are some observations from the open portion of practice, which happened toward the beginning of Monday’s practice...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Everything Brent Venables said ahead of Oklahoma's 1st-round playoff matchup with Alabama
(by Tom Green) NORMAN — Oklahoma hasn't played in a College Football Playoff game in six years. That will change Friday, when No. 8 Oklahoma hosts No. 9 Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Sooners and Tide will kick off at 7 p.m. from Owen Field, with the game airing on ABC and ESPN in what will be the first...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Bob Stoops announces retirement from coaching, Dallas Renegades
(by Griffin McVeigh) Legendary head coach Bob Stoops is retiring from coaching, he announced on Monday afternoon. Stoops has spent the past few years with the Dallas Renegades in the UFL after stepping away from the Oklahoma Sooners following the 2016 season. Nearly a decade later, Stoops is officially closing the book on his career...read more from On3.com
Could Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes play a role in the College Football Playoff?
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — For Oklahoma, players like Jovantae Barnes and Kendel Dolby haven’t factored into the weekly gameplans for months. However, the Sooners making the College Football Playoff adds an interesting wrinkle. Per NCAA rules, postseason games do not count towards eligibility. Barnes, a true senior, appeared...read more from the OUInsider
OU Football: Will R Mason Thomas Play vs Alabama? | State of the Program
How Oklahoma's Offense is Staying in Rhythm for Alabama Rematch Despite Lengthy Layoff
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — The Sooners have been under a pressure cooker since their loss to the University of Mississippi on Oct. 25. At 6-2, Oklahoma's College Football Playoff chances hung by a thread — one more loss, and you won't be playing meaningful football in December. Luckily for OU, they answered the call. The Sooners...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Brent Venables, Ben Arbuckle give injury updates on Tory Blaylock, Xavier Robinson, R Mason Thomas
(by Joshua McDaniel) Running backs, freshman Tory Blaylock and sophomore Xavier Robinson, and senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas were banged up in the Sooners' final regular-season matchups against Missouri and Louisiana State University. Robinson recorded 42 rushing yards on a sprained knee against Missouri before...read more from the OU Daily
