Oklahoma Sooners found what they’ve been looking for all season long, and it was right in front of their face
The Oklahoma Sooners have not had a running game nearly the entire season, but have found Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson.
The Oklahoma Sooners have not had a great run game in 2025. In fact, they have one of the worst running games in the SEC. On Saturday, at least in the first half, you wouldn’t have known that. The Sooners ran all over the South Carolina Gamecocks, as Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson carried the load.
It feels like OU has been trying various combinations in the run game, whether it’s Blaylock, Jaydn Ott, Jovantae Barnes, or Xavier Robinson. But the answer to the problem was in front of their face the entire time. It’s not Ott, and at this point, it feels like it was never going to be. Barnes is great in pass protection and at the goal line, but that’s about it. Taylor Tatum hasn’t played yet, besides the final few minutes against SC, due to injuries.
In the first half alone, Blaylock had 13 rushes for 82 yards, while Xavier Robinson had two rushes for 29 yards on back-to-back plays at one point. Oklahoma found its one-two punch in the running game, something they have needed, and it was Robinson the entire time.
Blaylock and Robinson should handle all RB duties from here on out
It was very clear who the two best running backs on the roster are. Sure, Robinson was banged up a bit in training camp, but why he is just now getting some run is beyond me, as he’s been dressed out before this game.
This is something that RB coach DeMarco Murray has always had trouble with, if you ask the fan base. He tends to go away from guys who play well or make the most sense, for some reason. Last week against the Texas Longhorns, Robinson had a few good moments. Robinson also caught a pass for eight yards. We saw great things from him to end last season, as he established himself as the RB1 of that team last year.
Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson’s stats vs. South Carolina
- Blaylock had 19 carries for 101 rushing yards.
- Blaylock one rushing touchdown that went for 18 yards.
- Blaylock had one catch for five yards.
- Robinson rushed 11 times for 58 yards.
- Robinson had a near goal-line carry for his touchdown run.
- Robinson had one catch for eight yards.
- Both RBs had 5.3 yards per carry average.
As for Blaylock, it’s kind of felt like he’s the RB1 of this team for some time. However, he needed a running mate. The true freshman cannot sustain 30 rushes a game just yet. He’s great for his age, but coming into this game, he really needed to work on some of his pacing on his runs. Blaylock showed in prior games that he really only has one speed, which is straight and fast.
In this one, he set up his blocks really well with some pacing and bounced outside at the perfect time. OU also ran some different things more often than we had seen in games prior. Blaylock’s touchdown run was one where he bounced it outside the tackle and really hit the edge nicely.
The second half was not nearly as good in terms of the rushing side of things; however, it still looked better than it did last week, and pretty much every other P4 game they have played this season. The offensive line won the line of scrimmage against a beaten-down SC defensive line, but the Sooners also found what works for them.
Now, it’s about perfecting it and getting ready for the Ole Miss Rebels next week.
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