NORMAN - Oklahoma left Saturday night with a 21-13 loss to No. 15 Kentucky, but Brent Venables saw enough from the offense to believe there’s something to carry forward.
The Sooners were undone by turnovers and shaky play up front, a familiar combination that kept them from finishing drives and controlling the game. John Mateer threw three second-half interceptions, and Jacob Ulrich added another on a fake field-goal attempt in the second quarter. Mateer was also sacked five times as Oklahoma’s thin offensive line wore down late.
Even with all of that, Venables pointed to the performance as a meaningful step.
“That’s maybe the best that we've played since our first game on offense,” Venables said.
A big part of that optimism came from Manny Choice. The sophomore receiver had entered the game with just three catches for 24 yards in his college career, then led Oklahoma with 98 yards on five receptions against Kentucky.
“He’s been doing a lot of really good things, and today was a day that we needed him to step up, and he did,” Venables said. “We’ll continue to build on that, for sure.”
The ground game also showed signs of life. Lloyd Avant, Tory Blaylock and Jonathan Hatton Jr. combined for 67 rushing yards on 3.7 yards per carry, with each back breaking off at least one run of seven yards or more. That production mirrored what Oklahoma got against Texas, and it marked progress from the struggles against Georgia, New Mexico and Michigan.
“(I) thought we ran the ball at times with some real purpose,” Venables said. “(I) thought our backs really battled and played behind their pads well.”
Mateer’s first half was the kind of stretch Oklahoma has been looking for. He went 15 of 20 for 167 yards and a touchdown over the opening two quarters and looked in command before the game turned against him after halftime.
“I thought he was in really good command,” Venables said. I thought he did a lot of really good things, super efficient.
Again, we moved the chains. I thought we possessed the ball and played with more command and more control than we had in some of the other games here this season.”
The issue, of course, is the bigger picture. Since the Sooners’ 51-0 season-opening win over UTEP on Sept. 4, they have put up only 64 points, and 14 of those came on special teams or defense in the Texas game.
Even so, Venables believes Saturday’s offensive showing - despite the final tally of 13 points - can still help shape what comes next.
“You could take out a play or two here or there and have a completely different result,” Venables said. “I just have an appreciation for how our guys battled.”
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Oklahomas Kentucky Loss Left One Brutal Question Fans Cant Ignore
Kentucky walked into Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and left with a 21-13 win, its fifth straight victory, while the Sooners were left to sort through another frustrating afternoon in SEC play. John Mateers three interceptions and five sacks told much of the story, as Kentucky repeatedly took advantage of Oklahoma mistakes and key moments to keep control of the game.
For Oklahoma, the loss dropped the Sooners to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference, a record that leaves little room for comfort as the schedule keeps tightening. The bigger issue now is not just the setback itself, but what it says about a team that keeps waiting for cleaner execution and a steadier answer at quarterback, even as the losses keep piling up. [Read more 🡒]
Brent Venables Sends Clear Message After Oklahomas Costly Loss
Brent Venables spent the aftermath of Oklahomas 21-13 loss to Kentucky making it clear he was not about to pin the setback on John Mateer alone. The Sooners quarterback threw three second-half interceptions, including a late pick that was returned for a touchdown, but Venables pointed to the broader picture as he defended Mateers performance and noted the progress he has seen in his play.
Venables also praised the offensive line for battling through injuries and explained some of the offensive decisions that shaped the game. With the loss still fresh, his message turned quickly to what comes next, stressing that Oklahoma has to answer the disappointment fast as it prepares for its next game. [Read more 🡒]
John Mateer's Rough Night Leaves Oklahoma Fans Debating What Cost Them Most
Oklahomas offense had enough moments to stay in the fight against Kentucky at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, but the turnovers kept getting in the way. John Mateer still moved the ball for 270 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore receiver Manny Choice was one of the more encouraging signs of the day with five catches for 98 yards.
The problem was the other side of Mateers night, with three interceptions hanging over a performance that never fully settled the Sooners attack. Freshman defensive end Jake Kreul also gave Oklahoma something to build on with multiple sacks and a disruptive showing, but the bigger question left behind was whether the loss was more about missed chances or the giveaways that swung the game the other way. [Read more 🡒]