Brent Venables’ biggest offseason gamble paid off in a big way against Michigan Wolverines that didn’t have him look like an SEC foe’s head coach
Brent Venables’ biggest move of the offseason with Ben Arbuckle paid off for the Sooners against the Michigan Wolverines
The Oklahoma Sooners pulled off a statement victory against the Michigan Wolverines, downing the Wolverines 24-13 in just their second matchup in program history. Oklahoma got off to a hot start early and seemingly never looked back all the way to the very end of the game, earning one of the biggest wins of Brent Venables’ tenure.
The defense dominated the Wolverines’ nearly hapless offense, holding Michigan to just 288 yards of offense and three-of-14 on third down. While that side of the ball deserves its well-earned flowers, it was the offense that stood out in this victory.
Venables took a risk when he gambled on hiring Ben Arbuckle to serve as Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator. Arbuckle hadn’t coached against SEC or Big 10 competition. There were concerns that the “air raid” nature of his offense couldn’t handle the physicality of these defenses. Against Michigan, Arbuckle answered the call (and then some), making Venables’ gamble pay off in a statement victory.
Ben Arbuckle Aces First Test
Oklahoma’s offense had Michigan’s defense grasping at straws from the first drive of the game. The Sooners quickly marched down the field on a 12-play, 75-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead, throwing all sorts of misdirection and looks at the Wolverines, who were on the backpedal from the get-go.
Arbuckle proved his mettle, calling two more touchdown drives when the Sooners went 80 and 51 yards, respectively.
However, his best drive was the last, and most important one of the night, as it sealed Michigan’s fate and iced the victory for the Sooners. Defending a 21-13 lead, Oklahoma took the field with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
They didn’t give Michigan the ball back till there was barely a minute left on the clock.
Needing a crucial score, Oklahoma mounted a 16-play, 78-yard drive that took eight and a half minutes off the clock. Forget those concerns about running the ball. The Sooners grinded out 44 yards on the ground and stayed ahead of the sticks to kick a crucial field goal with just 1:44 left in the game, increasing their lead to two possessions.
Throughout the final drive, Arbuckle demonstrated his prowess in managing the clock and attacking Michigan’s stout defensive line. This is an incredibly encouraging sign, since the last time Oklahoma had a potent offense, the clock management under the then-offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby cost them several games and/or made them uncomfortable wins.
Twenty-four points doesn’t seem like a tremendous total, but the Sooners were rolling for most of the game, and there were a few mistakes that prevented them from crossing the 40-point mark. Isaiah Sategna dropped a would-be third-down conversion and then fumbled a punt return. Jaren Kanak just missed a touchdown at the end of the game on a wheel route. John Mateer missed a few deep shots to wide-open players. Oklahoma had virtually any look they wanted open all game.
It’s impossible to overstate how monumental a win this was for Venables and the perception of the program. However, the lessons learned about what kind of offensive mind Arbuckle is and his prowess as a play-caller should be the most encouraging part. This team’s ceiling feels sky high with an offense capable of playing complementary football to the Sooners’ elite defense.
Oklahoma Sooners News
Position convert could be key for Oklahoma Sooners to pull off a signature win over the Michigan Wolverines
Jaren Kanak could be the key to a victory for the Oklahoma Sooners over the Michigan Wolverines
