Before delivering a ‘physically dominant’ performance in the win over ‘Bama

NORMAN — All season, Oklahoma had been desperate for a complete performance. While the defense had largely done its part, the offense had struggled to historic lows.

All of a sudden it collapsed on Saturday night. The Sooners left Owen Field with an emphatic 24-3 victory over No. 7 at Alabama, delivering a statement win in their final home game.

It was the type of performance that OU coaches Brent Venables had hoped for the entire season.

“Oklahoma was absolutely relentless in all three phases,” Venables said after the game. “And they knocked Alabama out. They had an answer for them every step of the way, every corner they turned. And without a doubt, Oklahoma was the most physical football team tonight. That was the vision and that’s what we wanted the tape should say.

“We’re not sitting here beating our chests. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize a physically dominant performance.”

The physically dominant performance encompassed the offense.

The Sooners’ game plan was clear as they looked to limit Alabama’s offensive possessions and control the flow of the game. It took OU’s running game to find a rhythm, which was a tall order for an offense that lacked a running back Jovantae Barnes and three starting offensive lineman.

Instead, Jackson Arnold and Xavier Robinson answered the call. Arnold carried the ball 25 times for 131 yards, both career highs, as he carved up Alabama’s defense for 5.2 yards per carry. carry. Robinson came off the bench and proved to be a worthy running mate, totaling 107 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.

Robinson’s biggest play came late in the first half when he shook off a tackle and ran past the Alabama defense to the pylon for an 18-yard touchdown that gave the Sooners a seven-point halftime lead.

At halftime, the Sooners had 215 rushing yards — the most yards surrendered by Alabama in an entire game this season. The Sooners finished with 257 rushing yards at over 5 yards per carry. carry as they leaned completely on the run game, totaling 50 rushing attempts to just 11 passes from Arnold.

Even more remarkably, the offensive line yielded just one sack and four tackles for loss.

“Obviously we had a lot of things in the game plan all week, but running was a big emphasis for us,” Arnold said. “There was some stat about Bama like if you had over 200 rushing yards or if you won the rushing battle against them, you win the game. So we focused on our running game and we didn’t take as many shots today because the running game worked great.

“I’m super proud of X (Robinson). I think he stepped up and had a great game tonight and our O-line stepped up and played their ass off tonight.”

OU’s rushing defense was just as effective.

The Sooners entered the Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who entered the game averaging over 55 rushing yards per 4.6 yards per game carry. Milroe finished with just seven yards on 15 carries as OU finished with nine tackles for loss and constantly pressured the backfield.

It shut down Alabama’s entire offense. The Crimson Tide entered halftime with just 97 total yards and finished with 70 rushing yards on 30 attempts (2.3 yards per carry). Milroe completed just 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards. Only two of Alabama’s 10 drives went longer than 20 yards, and three of their possessions ended in interceptions from Eli Bowen, Kip Lewis and Woody Washingtonrespectively

Limiting Milroe helped keep Alabama out of the end zone for the first time in a game since 2011.

“That was it,” OU defensive coordinator Zac Alley said. “I think you go watch the game against LSU and (Milroe) ran for four touchdowns, 184 yards and really took over the game. Our goal was not to let him do that. Everything we did was basically based on keeping him from making big plays and trying to contain him in the pocket, force him to throw into tight windows, they did a good job.

In a rarity this season, both offense and defense worked together. The Sooners possessed the ball for over 34 minutes of playing time and outscored Alabama 62 to 57. They outgained the Crimson Tide 324-235 in total yards. The Sooners also notably won the turnover game 3-1, and Robinson’s second touchdown came just five plays after Bowen’s interception to open the second half.

The Sooners had only shown glimpses of that this season, which is why they posted a 5-5 record. But facing a tough Alabama team and entering the game as a two-touchdown underdog, the Sooners simply imposed their will on the Crimson Tide.

And they did it on Senior Night to secure their sixth win and bowl eligibility.

“You’ve just done what it takes to win,” Venables said. “It’s not going to take anything like a Superman heroic effort. It’s playing with incredible effort, it’s going to be the most physical team and taking care of the ball. Winning is never negotiated.

“There’s been some games where it’s gotten away from us late. But this is a team that’s kept showing up, week in and week out. They’ve struck first, struck back. But that is the first time in one of these games that we have beaten last.”