Oklahoma falls short at Kansas leaving Playoff hopes in jeopardy
Oklahoma Coach Brent Venables glances at the scoreboard during a review on a play in the fourth quarter against Kansas Saturday October 28, 2023 at Memorial Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The No. 6 Sooners are no longer undefeated after the Jayhawks accomplished a feat that was 39 years in the making.
Oklahoma’s 18-game winning streak over Kansas got snapped after a 38-33 thriller in Lawrence. Now Coach Brent Venables is searching for answers. The Sooners walked into a sold out snakepit, and the Jayhawks took down a top-10 team at Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1984.
Venables thought it was an embarrassing performance by his team. After all, the Jayhawks outgained the Sooners in total offense, first downs, time of possession and yards per play. Oklahoma finished with 440 yards of total offense against Kansas, which was less than what it generated against UCF.
Obviously the rain and cold temperatures played a big part in the game. It also limited what the Sooners could do offensively. Still, Venables’ boys had their opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize when it mattered the most.
“We made too many mistakes today, turned the ball over, penalties, the timing of it all was really poor,” Venables said. “We didn’t play with discipline, the same thing two weeks in a row, different way, but it all counts the same.”
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel had an uncharacteristic afternoon. He completed 14 of his 19 passes, but failed to throw a touchdown for the first time this season. The Jayhawks drew first blood when they picked off Gabriel’s pass, and returned it for a touchdown. Oklahoma was also held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season.
The Sooners made mental mistakes throughout the afternoon. Oklahoma (7-1) committed a season-high, 11 penalties for 101 yards. Venables knows there’s no excuse for that, especially on the road.
“I don’t think we always played real smart, but we gave ourselves a chance to win late,” he said.
There were some bright spots for the Sooners. Running back Tawee Walker finished with a game-high, 146 rushing yards. Gabriel generated three touchdowns on the ground. Wideout Drake Stoops led the team in catches and receiving yards.
The Sooners were a liability yet again on defense though. Kansas running back Devin Neal eclipsed the century mark in rushing, and quarterback Jason Bean had a 38-yard touchdown run.
Oklahoma’s defense allowed 443 yards, which was the second-most in Big 12 play this fall. Linebacker Dasan McCullough led the Sooners with six tackles, and Kip Lewis added five stops. Defensive back Billy Bowman picked off a pass.
As deflating as this defeat was for Oklahoma, Venables understands there’s a lot of football left to be played. The Sooners still control their own destiny in the Big 12 race, but have no margin for error.
“I’ve been telling them several weeks in a row, we’re not going to be defined by any one win, or any loss,” the 52-year old coach said. “We got a lot still out in front of us, this one hurts, it stings, we got punished for lack of details and discipline, and me not having our guys ready to play at a high level.”
The players have no time to hang their heads on this loss, and have to quickly move on with Bedlam looming next week. This is the time where Venables is going to need his leaders to emerge and for everyone to hold themselves accountable. The Sooners’ Playoff hopes are in jeopardy, but some of the teams ahead of them still have to play each other. That’s why Venables wants to keep everyone hungry, motivated and focused on the task at hand.
“We got an opportunity to achieve most of our goals, so now it’s about how we respond.”
