The young offensive linemen of the Oklahoma Sooners faced a significant challenge during their game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Despite their inexperience, these freshmen demonstrated remarkable grit in a difficult environment, which bodes well for the team”s playoff aspirations as they head into a crucial November stretch.
Three freshmen were responsible for protecting their quarterback while also contending with the overwhelming noise generated by the 100,000 fans in attendance. “The only time I looked at the fans was when we were doing the Walk,” said Fasusi, reflecting on the hostile reception. He recalled how some fans directed unsavory comments toward them, but the players managed to block out the distractions. “There was some of them guys chirping a little bit about us being younger guys, but we kind of tuned that out, blocked that outside noise,” Pierre-Louis added.
During the first half, the Oklahoma offense struggled, but they were able to capitalize on three defensive takeaways that resulted in 13 of their 16 points before halftime. The atmosphere at Neyland Stadium was electric, and Tennessee believed they had the advantage due to the Sooners” youthful offensive line.
As the game progressed, the attitude of the offensive line began to shine through. Eddy Pierre-Louis, who has been a key contributor in recent weeks, noted, “Nah. Not too much after that,” with a smile. The Sooners” offensive line had previously faced criticism for their inability to establish a consistent running attack, but recent performances suggest they have found a new rhythm, enabling them to effectively run the ball.
Pierre-Louis and the introduction of Fodje at right tackle have provided a spark for Oklahoma, indicating they might have finally identified their strongest lineup for both pass protection and run blocking. “We talk about three freshmen, a new guy like Eddy that”s been in there the last couple of weeks and I think, again, gaining confidence and gaining a rhythm to what everything that we”re doing,” a coach commented, emphasizing the team”s ongoing development.
While the Sooners” offense is still a work in progress, their second-half performance against Tennessee was encouraging. However, two turnovers serve as a reminder that for Oklahoma to contend for a playoff spot, they must improve their offensive execution. With the freshmen linemen performing admirably in such a tough environment, questions arise about the potential for even greater offensive success moving forward.
Since their loss to Texas, Oklahoma has emerged as one of the top rushing teams in the SEC, showcasing significant improvement in their run game. “The efficiency of when we are running the ball has just been getting better and better,” said coach Venables, noting the growing camaraderie among the young offensive linemen. This newfound unity is enhancing individual player performances, contributing to a more balanced offensive strategy. Pierre-Louis remarked, “We”ve still got a lot of stuff we”ve got to improve in mental-wise, physicality-wise, but him bringing that intensity with me as well, that”s been matched.”
