David Bridges
The Oklahoma Sooners got off to a fast start in week one of the 2022 college football season. Literally.
Taking the ball to open the game, the Sooners took just five plays and 1:17 to score the first touchdown of the Brent Venables era. After an incomplete pass to Marvin Mims on a deep shot down the field, the Gabriel came back with a 16-yard completion to Drake Stoops on an RPO.
Eric Gray followed that up with five yards on the ground for his first carry of the season before Gabriel hit Mims for a 42-yard bomb to get Oklahoma in the red zone.
Gabriel then kept the ball on a read-option and went 12 yards for the touchdown.
It was a great opening drive, encapsulating everything Oklahoma wants to be offensively; fast-paced, run game involved, and the ability to hit big plays down the field.
Defensively, the Sooners were relentless. They regularly had multiple players to the ball carrier. Though there were 11 missed tackles per Pro Football Focus, that’s an improvement to what happened a year ago vs. Tulane when they had 15 missed tackles in the season opener. Oklahoma also had more sacks and tackles for loss this year against the Miners than they did a year ago against the Green Wave.
Aside from a lull early in the second quarter, the Oklahoma Sooners had their way with the UTEP Miners on Saturday. Though UTEP started to make something interesting with 10 straight points in the second frame, Oklahoma found a second gear on a hot day and were able to limit the damage.
Overall, it was a great start to the season for the Oklahoma Sooners and Sooner Nation enjoyed every bit of it. Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter.
All in all, a pretty good day
#Sooners started fast, it was hot as hell, they covered the spread, and people managed to complain that it was the university’s fault for fans not staying in the stadium or making noise. Must be football season in Oklahoma 😂😂😂.
— C&C Machine (@CCMachine) September 3, 2022
Brayden “All he does is catch touchdowns” Willis
Jeff Lebby wasn’t lying when he said Brayden Willis would be “very, very involved”
2 touchdowns today for Willis, he had 2 in *all* of this last season #Sooners
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) September 3, 2022
“I would do anything for this man”
#Sooners LB @FbStutsman on BV’s dance moves?
“That man can’t dance, but that’s OK cause he can really coach. I’m going to let this slide, but I love his intensity. I love everything about him. Seeing him after that game, I would do anything for this man.”
— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) September 4, 2022
A new day in Norman
Woodi Washington playing press on 3rd and 14…let that sink in for a second #Sooners fans.
— Josh McCuistion (@Josh_Scoop) September 3, 2022
Rush is relentless
Reggie Grimes and the rest of the Sooners DL is everywhere and Miguel Chavis and Todd Bates are loving it over on the sideline
— Eli Lederman (@ByEliLederman) September 3, 2022
Pass rush will be just fine
Grimes is playing his ass off today. hes going to be a problem for opposing OL all year long. #Sooners
— Sam Mayes (@AllmericanMayes) September 3, 2022
Eric Gray standing out
This is fun. Eric Gray looking like who we expected coming from Tennessee.
14-0 Sooners
— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) September 3, 2022
Bought in, 100%
Brent Venables: “This is one of the most committed teams I’ve been a part of.”
“From the moment we said go in December, they have bought in.” #Sooners
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) September 3, 2022
No lies detected
This is arguably Brent Venables’ biggest win as a head coach.
— Seth Oliveras (@SethOliveras) September 3, 2022
Still humble in victory
Brent Venables: “This is Oklahoma. They didn’t have to hire me. And I don’t take it for granted at all.” Calls it a “special day.” #Sooners
— Ryan Aber (@ryaber) September 4, 2022
Got that Dawg in Him
REGGIE GRIMES IS A DAWG!!
— Tattoo Baker 🎥✨ (@QB1TATT00) September 3, 2022
No. 28 sees it
Something special about this team❤️
— DannyStutsman (@FbStutsman) September 4, 2022
Freshman Tackle Loving first game day experience
Wow… what. A. Day. I’ve dreamed about those moments and today they became true! NOBODY does it like Norman! #BoomerSooner
— JACOB SEXTON7️⃣6️⃣ (@Jacob_Sexton_) September 4, 2022
Brayden Willis one of the stars of the game
So much love for my brothers, staff, and coaches. This is what OU is about!
— Brayden Willis (@Bwillis_11) September 4, 2022
Cameron Steel
Mason Thompson
