One week from today, the next FBS college football champion will be crowned. Oklahoma football will not be present for that ceremony, but the Sooners have been in that prized position seven different times. No. 1 Alabama will get a rematch of the SEC championship game with No. 3 Georgia to determine the 2021 national […]
Two things you can say in summarizing the 2021 Oklahoma football season are: It was far from typical and full of unexpected developments The Sooners capped off the 2021 season with a 47-32 Alamo Bowl victory over the 14th-ranked Oregon Ducks, and in so doing picked up their 11th win against two losses. For most […]
Ring one up — a big one — for Oklahoma football assistant coach DeMarco Murray. Four-star 2022 running back Javontae Barnes from Las Vegas, Nevada, committed to the Sooners on Sunday. Barnes announced his decision on Sunday while participating in the Under Armour High School All-America Game being played in Orlando, Florida. Barnes actually quietly […]
Demarco Murray had himself quite a 2022 recruiting cycle.
DeMarco Murray continues to prove his worth as a recruiter with the commitment of Jovantae Barnes, another elite running back and player in the 2022 class. Barnes is viewed as a top running back in the class and has announced his committed to the Sooners over several other programs such as Alabama, Florida State, and even Lincoln Riley going after him with the USC Trojans. Commitments are always fantastic news, but commitments that happen live on national television are even sweeter. Add in the fact that he’s actually already signed, and it provides even more hope for the future of the running back position.
Murray has gone from inexperienced coach and hopeful recruiter to rainmaker for the Oklahoma Sooners when they need him most. Not only has he previously secured the commitment of Gavin Sawchuk, he’s also been on the recruiting trail before Venables was even hired to try his best to keep the current recruiting class held together.
Although Barnes is from Vegas — and the trip to Southern Cal may have been easy — Murray is a Vegas man himself. He currently stands with a frame of 6’ and 200lbs. He’s not a finesse running back, he’s ready for contact. Not only that, he is also a very good backfield blocker for his age and somebody that has good hands. Lebby notably likes to run the ball more than the previous regime and can be an every down back. He’s an incredibly strong runner, but also a great climber when it comes to cuts going up field.
Since Tashard Choice spurned the USC Trojans and decided to coach at Texas less than 24 hours later, rumors suggested Lincoln Riley’s people reached out to the folks that represent Demarco Murray to hire him with more money and a fancier title. I would say Demarco was going to acquire a raise this year regardless, but after the recent commitment of Barnes and the signing of Sawchuk, it only furthers that he is a necessity on staff and not a luxury. According to 247Sports Composite, Barnes is the No. 10 RB in the US, the No. 3 player in the state of Nevada, and the No. 116 overall prospect in the country. Barnes is now the 17th commit to the Sooners’ 2022 recruiting class, which sits at No. 10 nationally.
Playing without its leading scorer and a depleted bench, the men’s Oklahoma basketball team fought off a spirited second-half comeback by Kansas State to ring in the new year with a 71-69 victory in the Big 12 opener for both teams. The Sooners (11-2, 1-0) never trailed in the game and led by as many […]
Without Tanner Groves, Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes, Porter Moser’s team still found a way.
The Oklahoma Sooners were without three contributors, but they were still able to claw out a 71-69 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats to open Big 12 play.
Entering the game without Tanner Groves — its leading scorer and rebounder — as well as Jacob Groves and Bijan Cortes due to health and safety protocols, Oklahoma knew it would have to rely on its defensive intensity to open the new year on a high note. That’s exactly what happened to open up the game, as OU held the Wildcats to 22 points on 32 percent shooting while forcing nine turnovers. However, K-State would catch fire in the second half, and the Sooners would need four clutch free throws from Umoja Gibson to pull it out in the end.
Offensively, Elijah Harkless carried the torch for the Sooners, scoring 21 points on 7-12 shooting and hitting all four of his three-point attempts. After Kansas State was able to tie the game at 65 in the closing moments, Harkless took it upon himself to make a play, and make a play he did with just 35 seconds remaining.
The importance of pulling out this win can’t be overstated, as Oklahoma’s upcoming schedule is as challenging as any in the country. Here’s the remainder of OU’s January:
