Halftime Huddle: OU recovers from disastrous start

NORMAN — There was a moment of panic to start Saturday’s game.

Just seven minutes into the contest, the Maine Black Bears led the Sooners 7-0. OU’s offense only got one first down before needing points to start the game, and the Black Bears drove right down the field to take the lead.

It looked like disaster would strike, considering the Sooners were a 34.5-point favorite. The Sooners (4-4) simply need a win, regardless of the opponent.

But they rebounded and took a 35-7 lead into halftime. Here’s a look at what’s happened so far.

Considering how bad the offense has been, today was always going to be a perfect opportunity for the Sooners to build some confidence heading into the final three games of the season.

the results? It’s been a little bit of everything for the Sooners.

It was an absolute disaster on the opening drive. The Sooners picked up just one first down and 12 total yards before being forced to punt. Maine then scored on an eight-play, 69-yard drive to briefly take a 7-0 lead.

Things just seemed bleak. So, Jovantae Barnes took a first-and-10 run up the middle for 74 yards down to the one-yard line and scored two plays later. That run gave Barnes his most rushing yards in a game since the Cheez-It Bowl in 2022. Just before halftime, Barnes added an eight-yard touchdown.

That has really been the theme for the Sooners so far today. It’s been the Barnes show — he has 11 carries for 158 yards (14.4 yards per carry), making him the first OU player to rush for over 100 yards this season. It’s also the most rushing yards Barnes has had in a game in his career.

That’s a big reason the Sooners have 236 rushing yards, their most in a game this season. They are on pace for 452 rushing yards.

Before today, the Sooners’ biggest rushing output was 222 against Temple, and they had broken 130 just twice since then.

Barnes has helped overshadow some of the tough moments for Oklahoma’s offense. In addition to this first-run disaster, Sam Franklin also had a brutal fumble inside the 20-yard line in the second quarter after he fumbled a pitch Jackson Arnold. But the Sooners have done just enough to give themselves a comfortable margin against Maine.

It took a while for Arnold to find his footing through the air. But late in the second quarter, he reminded people why he was such a highly touted recruit.

Arnold danced in the pocket before being flushed outside and eventually lobbed the ball downfield. He found JJ Hester in single coverage for a 90-yard touchdown.

In addition to being the longest play from scrimmage this season, it is the Sooners’ longest passing play since 1995.

In a game like this, the Sooners just lacked showing any hint of an explosive passing game. Even last week, when the offense looked better, the Sooners didn’t have a passing game over 20 yards. Today, Arnold is averaging 18.4 yards per carry. completion.

Hester (3 catches, 98 yards) and Jacob Jordan (3 catches, 36 yards) leads the way at receiver. The Sooners totaled 402 yards at halftime, their most in a game this season.

Maine’s first drive was horrific for OU’s defense as the Black Bears drove eight plays and 64 yards to take a 7-0 lead. The Sooners looked out of sorts and completely disorganized, even committing a delay of game on fourth down that gave the Black Bears a first down.

Since then, OU’s defense has been fine. The defensive line has overwhelmed Maine’s offensive line, and the Black Bears have gained just 47 yards and three first downs since that opening drive. Maine quarterback Carter Peevy originally found

The Sooners, in particular, went along Eli Bowen and Jacob Johnson as starting cornerbacks. Jayden Hardy has also seen significant snaps in the first half at the cheetah position.