As Oklahoma gears up for a high-stakes College Football Playoff showdown with Alabama on Friday night, head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle took the podium to provide updates and insight into the Sooners’ preparation. With kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, the No. 8-ranked Sooners (10-2) are getting healthy at the right time - and leaning into the moment.
Injury Updates: Key Playmakers Trending Up
Oklahoma’s backfield has taken some hits over the course of the season, but there’s optimism heading into Friday. Freshman running back Tory Blaylock and sophomore Xavier Robinson both dealt with injuries late in the year, while senior defensive lineman R Mason Thomas has been sidelined since early November.
Robinson toughed out a sprained knee against Missouri, grinding out 42 yards, and followed that up with limited action against LSU. Blaylock, meanwhile, has been nursing a shoulder injury that dates back to the season opener against Illinois State.
He missed the Missouri game but logged 42 rushing yards against LSU. Arbuckle noted that the time off before the playoffs has been crucial for both backs.
“Those two dudes are really, really tough,” Arbuckle said. “They’re just ready to play.
It’s been good to get them some rest and rehab. I’m excited to get back to game day and watch them go.”
On the defensive side, Thomas hasn’t played since injuring his ankle against Tennessee on Nov. 1, but Venables said he expects the senior to be available in practice this week, with an official availability report to come.
Tate Sandell: From Confident Recruit to Nation’s Top Kicker
One of the Sooners’ most consistent weapons this season has been redshirt junior kicker Tate Sandell, who recently took home the Lou Groza Award - college football’s top honor for placekickers. And it’s not hard to see why.
Sandell has been nearly automatic, converting 23 of 24 field goals, including a perfect 7-for-7 on kicks of 50-plus yards. Add in a flawless 32-for-32 on extra points, and you’ve got a kicker who’s been lights-out all season.
Venables recalled his first impression of Sandell during a recruiting visit with his parents - and how the kicker’s confidence stood out even before he stepped on the field.
“He had this quiet confidence about him,” Venables said. “He saw Oklahoma as an opportunity. That’s how I see it too - an amazing opportunity.”
For Sandell, that confidence is forged in preparation. He admitted nerves are part of the job, but it’s the work during the week that builds belief when it’s time to perform.
“If someone tells you they’re not nervous, they’re probably lying,” Sandell said. “It’s the preparation that stacks the confidence. That’s what lets you go out there and perform.”
He also credited Venables for empowering him - especially during fall camp when the coach gave him a shot at a 61-yarder.
“Coach V’s confidence in me this year has helped,” Sandell said. “He said, ‘I’m not going to put a limit on you.’ And I just fed off that.”
Kendal Daniels Soaks In Final Game on Oklahoma Soil
For redshirt senior linebacker Kendal Daniels, Friday night’s game will be more than just a playoff matchup - it’s the final time he’ll suit up in his home state. A native Oklahoman, Daniels is embracing the moment with his family in the stands and his college career winding down.
“I’m trying to take it all in,” Daniels said. “It’s sad because it’s the end of my college career, and this is the last game I’ll play in Oklahoma. Having my family there - that’s been such a blessing.”
Daniels also spoke about his admiration for Venables’ defensive mind, noting how detailed and dialed-in his head coach is when it comes to game prep.
“When I first got here, I was like, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this,’” Daniels said. “He knows plays, he knows what offenses like to do - their tendencies. It’s fun.”
The Road Ahead
With Alabama looming and a playoff berth on the line, Oklahoma is getting healthier, more confident, and more locked in by the day. The Sooners know what’s at stake, and they’re embracing the moment - whether it’s a kicker feeding off his coach’s belief, a running back grinding through injury, or a senior linebacker soaking in his last ride in front of a home crowd.
Come Friday night under the lights in Norman, it won’t just be about schemes and stats - it’ll be about grit, preparation, and seizing the opportunity.