Oklahoma’s offensive staff is focused on one clear fix heading into the South Carolina game: finish drives.
After the Sooners left points on the table in their road game against Mississippi State, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle made it plain Tuesday that Oklahoma has to turn more chances into touchdowns instead of leaning on the kicking game.
“Touchdowns win in this league,” Arbuckle said. “We don’t need to settle for field goals. We need to put the ball in the end zone.”
That was the theme of the day in Norman. Oklahoma lined up for six field goals against Mississippi State, and Arbuckle pointed to mistakes the Sooners can clean up themselves. He mentioned a chop block penalty and another sequence where Oklahoma could not cash in on what looked like a touchdown.
“We’ve got to get out of our own way, especially whenever we get into that low red part of the field, and finish with the ball in the end zone,” Arbuckle said.
Arbuckle also spent time on quarterback John Mateer, praising the way he handled the ups and downs of the game without pressing for too much. In Arbuckle’s view, Mateer showed the right mix of confidence and discipline, knowing when to take a shot and when to take what the defense gives him.
“Don’t let something really good that happens get you too high, and don’t let something bad that happens get you too low,” Arbuckle said.
He added that Mateer understands the weight that comes with the position at Oklahoma.
“John carries a lot, he wears a lot. That’s what it takes to be the quarterback at Oklahoma,” Arbuckle said.
The offensive line earned its own praise from Arbuckle, who said the unit brought the kind of physical play Oklahoma needs. He highlighted the group’s work in pass protection and in the run game, saying the line was in sync against Mississippi State.
“They were physical. They owned the point of attack,” Arbuckle said.
Arbuckle also noted the value of depth up front and the return of a previously injured lineman, saying that added continuity has helped Mateer feel more comfortable.
Now the focus shifts to South Carolina’s defense, and Arbuckle made clear he sees a front that can create problems if Oklahoma is not sharp. He pointed to the Gamecocks’ familiarity with defensive coordinator Clayton White’s system and their ability to attack freely.
“They’re able to play free, fast, physical, fly around, and make life hard sometimes,” Arbuckle said.
His message for the Sooners was simple: there is no room to ease up in the SEC.
“You have to be at your best every single week,” he said.
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