Game Preview
This offseason, there was a lot of chatter about Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who had fallen short of the expectations of Sooner Nation. The Gabriel we saw on Saturday, however, might soon become a fan favorite among OU supporters.
Gabriel appeared to be in command of an offense when he completed 19 of 22 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. It would be a great sign for the Sooners’ future if he could build on that performance against what should be a much tougher test this week.
Oklahoma’s defense struggled all year because its players couldn’t execute Brent Venables’ schemes. That won’t be a problem in 2023, though, judging by what we saw versus Arkansas State. While playing the crucial “Cheetah” position in Venables’ strategy, Justin Harrington looked like the best athlete on the field.
Harrington only recorded two tackles, but it was obvious from a rewatch that he had the potential to be a game-changer. Harrington is a freak athlete who will be put to work against SMU‘s Air Raid strategy due to his ability to play linebacker and cornerback.
Fans of SMU’s football team, the Mustangs, have waited patiently for Preston Stone to succeed Tanner Mordecai. Stone completed 23 of 37 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in his debut start, including a 67-yard bomb to TCU transfer Jordan Hudson to kick off the scoring. Stone has a plenty of receivers to throw to, while LJ Johnson (9.1 yards per carry on 128 carries for a total of 128 yards and one touchdown) provides a nice counterbalance in the backfield.
Fans of the Oklahoma Sooners may recognize the name Kori Roberson, as the former Sooner made an early impact for SMU in their season opener. Roberson threw the quarterback off his throw during a pass rush attempt in the first quarter, swatted the ball, and then returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. When Roberson returns to Norman, he will be a player to keep an eye on because he recorded 0.5 sacks that day.
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SMU Mustangs vs Oklahoma Sooners Game Information
- Date: 09/09/2023
- Time: 06:00 PM ET
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK.
- How to Watch SMU vs Oklahoma : ESPN+
- Live Stream: fubo.tv
