PLAYERS TO WATCH
–DE Kenneth Mann continues to show his ability as an every-down player after being used as strictly a situational pass rusher a year ago. Mann’s three quarterback hurries make him the only Sooner with multiples in the category and he finished the Army game with an interception on the Black Knights’ final drive of regulation and a tip in overtime that caused an interception by Parnell Motley.
–LT Cody Ford has been the Sooners’ most consistent offensive lineman so far after moving over from guard in the offseason. “It’s all pretty much come together,” Ford said. “I think the biggest part for me is just being healthy. The past two seasons I’ve dealt with a broken ankle and a concussion but so far, I’ve been healthy. My mentality is back to where I want to be at.”
–TE Grant Calcaterra finally found himself a consistent part of the game plan against Army, with two catches for 47 yards. Calcaterra replaced Mark Andrews, who was the Sooners’ leading receiver a year ago, but hadn’t been getting many targets through the early part of the season.
–K/P Austin Seibert has been excellent for most of his career but missed a 33-yard field goal at the end of regulation against Army that would’ve won that game. Seibert posted an apology on Twitter the next day, but Sooners coach Lincoln Riley said he wouldn’t hesitate to give Seibert another chance in a tight situation should it arise. “We’ll be in more situations like this as the year goes on, and he’ll be ready to perform like he has the majority of his career,” Riley said.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads Baylor 24-3 including 12-1 in Norman. The Sooners won last year’s meeting 49-41 in Waco and have won three consecutive meetings after losing three of the previous four.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “For him, even though he played a lot last year, he assumed that role of our closer. It’s different when you go into a game and you’ve seen what happened for two or three quarters and you have an idea about what’s going on and you have a chance to settle in. Now, he’s in there right off the bat and going. Even though he’s played well, I think he’s still learning. He’s getting in sync with our offensive line and Kyler and what we’re wanting to do offensively. I think he played well and I think he’s close to really playing well.” — Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley on sophomore RB Trey Sermon, who has taken over the role of top running back after Rodney Anderson’s season-ending injury.
