Oklahoma State University Athletics
Know Your Opponent: Oklahoma
November 08, 2018 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State's 10th opponent of the 2018 season is a familiar one, as the Cowboys begin the final stretch of their season with a Bedlam matchup against No. 6/6 Oklahoma. A look at what awaits the Pokes in Norman this weekend:
Oklahoma has been led throughout the year by Heisman-candidate quarterback Kyler Murray, who, in his first year as the starter, has taken the Big 12 by storm and placed himself among the elite names across the country. Murray is the Big 12's leader in total offense this season, average 362.6 yards per game. He leads the conference in passing efficiency (216.9), ranks third in passing yards per game (299.8) and is the conference's eighth-leading rusher at 62.8 yards per game.
Murray's big-play ability has helped the Sooners jump out to an 8-1 record this year, with their only loss coming in a 48-45 shootout with then-No. 19 Texas during the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 6.
His ability to scramble and make plays when the pocket breaks down has been instrumental in OU's continued success, but he isn't the only member of head coach Lincoln Riley's backfield to find success on the ground. Accompanying him, are running backs Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, who rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the Big 12's list of rushing leaders this season. Sermon is averaging a team-high 80.2 yards per game, while Brooks has tallied 475 rushing yards on just 42 carries this year.
Sermon, Brooks and Murray have combined to score 21 rushing touchdowns in 2018, with Sermon's eight being the high mark among the triumvirate.
Murray's top target out wide has been Marquise Brown, who has logged 45 catches for 814 yards and seven touchdowns this season. His 90.4 yards-per-game average places him fourth among Big 12 wide receivers this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sooners are Kenneth Murray and Curtis Bolton, who rank second and third, respectively, among Big 12 players in total tackles this year. Murray is one of only two conference competitors to reach triple digits so far this season, as his 103 tackles trail only Kansas' Joe Dineen. Bolton, meanwhile, has tallied 92 stops this season - 14 more than the next-best Big 12 player.
Murray and Bolton have also been the best at getting into opponents' backfields for OU this season, with their 7.5 combined sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss leading all Sooners in 2018.
Oklahoma's special teams unit is led by kicker Austin Seibert, who currently sits as the Big 12's top scorer this year with 85 points. Seibert has made nine of his 11 field-goal tries and is yet to miss a PAT (58-58).
Kickoff in Norman is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
Oklahoma has been led throughout the year by Heisman-candidate quarterback Kyler Murray, who, in his first year as the starter, has taken the Big 12 by storm and placed himself among the elite names across the country. Murray is the Big 12's leader in total offense this season, average 362.6 yards per game. He leads the conference in passing efficiency (216.9), ranks third in passing yards per game (299.8) and is the conference's eighth-leading rusher at 62.8 yards per game.
Murray's big-play ability has helped the Sooners jump out to an 8-1 record this year, with their only loss coming in a 48-45 shootout with then-No. 19 Texas during the Red River Rivalry on Oct. 6.
His ability to scramble and make plays when the pocket breaks down has been instrumental in OU's continued success, but he isn't the only member of head coach Lincoln Riley's backfield to find success on the ground. Accompanying him, are running backs Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, who rank fifth and sixth, respectively, on the Big 12's list of rushing leaders this season. Sermon is averaging a team-high 80.2 yards per game, while Brooks has tallied 475 rushing yards on just 42 carries this year.
Sermon, Brooks and Murray have combined to score 21 rushing touchdowns in 2018, with Sermon's eight being the high mark among the triumvirate.
Murray's top target out wide has been Marquise Brown, who has logged 45 catches for 814 yards and seven touchdowns this season. His 90.4 yards-per-game average places him fourth among Big 12 wide receivers this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sooners are Kenneth Murray and Curtis Bolton, who rank second and third, respectively, among Big 12 players in total tackles this year. Murray is one of only two conference competitors to reach triple digits so far this season, as his 103 tackles trail only Kansas' Joe Dineen. Bolton, meanwhile, has tallied 92 stops this season - 14 more than the next-best Big 12 player.
Murray and Bolton have also been the best at getting into opponents' backfields for OU this season, with their 7.5 combined sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss leading all Sooners in 2018.
Oklahoma's special teams unit is led by kicker Austin Seibert, who currently sits as the Big 12's top scorer this year with 85 points. Seibert has made nine of his 11 field-goal tries and is yet to miss a PAT (58-58).
Kickoff in Norman is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
