UPDATE: The Oklahoma Sooners suffered another blowout loss as the South Carolina Gamecocks rolled to a 35-9 win on Saturday in Week 8 of the college football season.
NORMAN — After dropping the Red River Rivalry, 34-3 to Texas last week, now-unranked OU returns to action against South Carolina beginning at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
The Sooners (4-2, 1-2 SEC) and Gamecocks have never met, but there are some familiar faces on the other side. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer spent three seasons as an OU assistant on Lincoln Riley’s staff before being hired as the Gamecocks’ head coach. Gamecocks reserve quarterback Davis Beville transferred from OU.
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The Sooners drop to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in SEC play.
The road to six wins and bowl eligibility looks daunting with games left against Ole Miss, Maine, Missouri, Alabama and LSU.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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Tough sledding for the offense.
It’s kneel-down time for the Gamecocks.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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Former OU backup quarterback Davis Beville, who transferred to South Carolina after last season, got to take a snap against his former team, but it ended with a third-down sack to end another drive.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Receiver Jacob Jordan had a nice drive for the Sooners, if you’re looking for bright spots in garbage time.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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Alex Herrera makes a 33-yard field goal to extend the Gamecocks’ lead.
There’s not much more to be said.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Jovantae Barnes fumbled the ball after a short pass from Jackson Arnold. USC takes over at the OU 21.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
The Gamecocks punted after a three-and-out drive that took another two minutes off the clock.
It’s all but over in Norman.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Jackson Arnold and the OU offense moved the ball down the field, thanks in part to a pass interference penalty, but the Sooners turned the ball over on downs on a fourth-and-8 sack by Kyle Kennard.
The Gamecocks take over at their 35-yard line.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
OU’s defense continues to perform well, even as their time on the field continues to mount.
The Sooners forced a quick three-and-out, thanks in large part to the combined sack from Gracen Halton and Trace Ford to begin the drive.
Halton had a solo sack earlier in the game.
After three quarters, the Gamecocks are outgaining the Sooners 247-214.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
The Sooners’ offense wasn’t able to sustain its momentum.
After scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the second half, the Sooners went three-and-out on the next drive and punted the ball back to South Carolina with 2:29 left in the third quarter, trailing by 23.
OU is 12 of 23 passing for 151 yards.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s defense has yet to create a turnover, but other than that the Sooners’ defense continues to hold up well.
The Sooners forced a second consecutive punt to start the second half, though the Gamecocks have eaten up more than eight minutes of clock on those two drives.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Jackson Arnold hit Brenen Thompson for a 54-yard touchdown pass on the Sooners’ first offensive drive of the second half.
It was OU’s longest scoring play of the season.
The Sooners went for a two-point conversion after the touchdown, with Bauer Sharp stopped short of the goal line and then fumbling.
Arnold is 8 of 16 for 138 yards and a touchdown.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s defense is at least continuing to show life.
After the Gamecocks drove into Sooners’ territory, OU’s defense bowed up, thanks to a sack by Gracen Halton on third down to force a punt on the first drive of the second half.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
At least the Sooners didn’t give up more points.
South Carolina’s fake field-goal try ended in an incompletion after the Gamecocks had driving into OU territory in the final seconds before halftime.
The Gamecocks are outgaining the Sooners 185-109 at halftime, going 4 of 10 on third downs. The Sooners are just 2 of 9 on third-down conversions.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s offensive promise was short-lived.
Late in the second quarter, after South Carolina scored a touchdown to extend the lead to 29, the Sooners once again faltered.
Luke Elzinga has now punted four times for an average of 46.5 yards.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Now South Carolina showed offensive life.
LaNorris Sellers hit Joshua Simon for a 33-yard touchdown just after the two-minute timeout, then the Gamecocks rubbed it in a bit more with a two-point conversion to go up by 29.
South Carolina eight-play, 75-yard drive was its longest of the game.
The Gamecocks are now outgaining the Sooners 143-101.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
The Sooners have made a change at kicker.
Zach Schmit came on for a 43-yard field goal to put OU on the board.
Schmit made two field goals in the Sooners’ win over Auburn on Sept. 28, but Tyler Keltner returned as OU’s kicker last week vs. Texas.
The Sooners’ offense finally showed a pulse, scoring for the first time in 17 possessions going back to Keltner’s field goal early in last week’s 34-3 loss to the Longhorns.
Jackson Arnold hit Jacob Jordan for a 27-yard pass, by far the Sooners’ biggest offensive play of the day.
Two plays later, Arnold hit Taylor Tatum for an 18-yard gain to put OU into the red zone.
The Sooners hadn’t been in South Carolina territory in any of their first seven drives.
OU is outgaining South Carolina 101-73.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
If OU hadn’t turned the ball over thrice in the game’s first six minutes, the Sooners would be in solid shape.
The Sooners’ defense got yet another stop, forcing a South Carolina punt this time.
The Gamecocks have punted three times in five drives.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
At least Jackson Arnold completed a pass.
But Arnold’s third-down completion — his first in four tries — came for a 4-yard loss on third-and-7, bringing Luke Elzinga on to punt yet again.
The Sooners have just 36 yards of offense — just nine yards through the air — on seven drives.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s defense stood tall once again, but bad field position helped the Gamecocks still put points on the board.
After a failed fake punt, the Sooners held South Carolina without a first down but Alex Herrera hit a 39-yard field goal to put the Gamecocks up 24-0.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s offense continues to be stuck in the mud.
Now, the Sooners’ defense is in bad position as well.
After OU’s drive stalled with a Bauer Sharp drop, the Sooners dialed up a fake punt from their own 30.
Luke Elzinga’s pass was complete to Sharp, but the tight end was stopped well short of the first-down marker, giving South Carolina the ball at the 26.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
At least OU didn’t give up this turnover.
On third-and-9 from the Sooners 30, Jackson Arnold was hit hard by Bryan Thomas Jr., jarring the ball loose.
But this time, OU was able to recover, as South Carolina forced a punt.
The Sooners have just 24 yards of offense through five drives.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s defense finally got back on the field and this time, the Sooners got a stop.
After back-to-back defensive touchdowns by South Carolina, OU finally avoided a turnover and punted, pinning the Gamecocks at their own 20.
South Carolina picked up one first down, before the Sooners’ defense got a stop.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
After back-to-back-to-back turnovers from Michael Hawkins Jr., Jackson Arnold returned to quarterback for the Sooners.
At least Arnold’s first drive back as OU’s quarterback didn’t end with a turnover.
The Sooners picked up a quick first down, but then the drive stalled, ending with Arnold taking a sack on third-and-10 and leading to a Luke Elzinga punt.
Arnold received an ovation when he jogged onto the field, a big difference from the boos that rained down after Hawkins’ second interception resulted in a touchdown return for the Gamecocks.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
USC’s scoring onslaught continues.
Nick Emmanwori intercepted Michael Hawkins Jr. for the second time in the game’s first six minutes, returning it 65 yards for a touchdown for the second consecutive defensive touchdown from the Gamecocks.
The Sooners have turned the ball over on all three drives.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
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OU’s horrific offensive start got even worse.
After Michael Hawkins Jr. threw an interception on the opening drive, leading to a South Carolina touchdown drive, the Gamecocks defense did the scoring themselves on the second drive.
Demetrius Knight Jr. came through on a blitz, corralling Hawkins and flington him toward the turf.
Hawkins fumbled the ball, and it was picked up by Tonka Hemingway, who returned it for a 36-yard touchdown less than four minutes into the game.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
South Carolina kept the ball on the ground and had no problem taking the lead.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders capped the Gamecocks’ five-play, 41-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run after an interception gave South Carolina the ball in OU territory.
The drive began with a 25-yard run by Gamecocks’ quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
OU’s game got off the a disastrous start.
Michael Hawkins Jr.’s first pass was picked off by South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori, giving the Gamecocks possession in Sooners territory.
The pass was intended for J.J. Hester.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
Earlier this week, Sooners coach Brent Venables said Troy Everett’s role would continue to grow after Everett made his season debut in last week’s loss to Texas.
It appears Everett will return to the starting lineup against South Carolina.
Everett, who suffered a knee injury during spring practice that kept him out until last week’s game, was snapping to starting quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. in pregame warmups, an indication that he will be the starter.
He would replace Branson Hickman, who transferred from SMU after Everett’s injury, as OU’s starter at center.
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
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OU wide receiver Deion Burks is listed as a “game-time decision” for Saturday’s game against South Carolina.
Burks’ return would be a major boost to the Sooners’ depleted wide receiver corps, which is also missing Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Jayden Gibson.
Burks has 26 catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Sooners. He was hurt in the loss to Tennessee with what was described as a “soft tissue injury.”
—Ryan Aber, Staff writer
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OU vs. South Carolina will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Tom Hart and Cole Cubelic will call the game from the booth at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
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Here’s a look at some of The Oklahoman’s staff predictions:
OU 24, South Carolina 17
SCRATCH AND CLAW
The Sooners’ offense struggles to find much footing, but the defense makes play after play yet to spoil Shane Beamer’s return to Norman.
South Carolina 17, OU 13
HIT HOME
Another loss on Owen Field continues to reveal a harsh reality: the Sooners just aren’t very good. Getting bowl eligible will be difficult.
OU 20, South Carolina 17
SOONERS SURVIVE
It’s difficult to pick OU in any game given the offensive ineptitude. However, South Carolina is inconsistent and seems to make big mistakes when it matters most. OU’s defense makes one more play in crunch time.
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Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of late Friday night:
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Wide receiver Deion Burks was listed as a game time decision in the SEC’s latest availability report released 90 minutes before kick.
Burks is warming up in full uniform during pregame workouts.
Burks missed the Sooners’ game against Auburn and Texas after suffering a soft tissue injury in OU’s loss to Tennessee.
Running back Sam Franklin, one of the Sooners’ kick returners, is listed as out.
Among the five players listed as out for the Gamecocks is wide receiver Jared Brown who has started two games this season and has eight catches for 103 yards. Defensive tackle DeAndre Jules has two starts. Both will be out for the second consecutive game.
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Temperature at kickoff is expected to be approximately 67 degrees according to the National Weather Service. Wind is expected to be 9 mph from the south-southeast with a 2% chance of precipitation.
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All times are Central Standard Time
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All times are Central Standard Time
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(This article has been updated with new information.)
