October 29, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 12

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Sports 4 - The Elk City News October 29, 2022 Sooners’ freshmen impress in exhibition win over OCU Jesse Crittenden, The 4 rebounds and an assist en of-13 shooting), but he added no doubt in my mind that'll ball well and generated open pounds during the offseason, Norman Transcript route to the Sooners’ 89-53 1 rebound and 4 assists. He translate going forward, he looks but couldn't knock said he’s feeling confident win over OCU at Lloyd Noble did find a rhythm late in the had that confident swag back them down, making just 6-of- heading into this season. It wasn’t the best start for Center. second half despite his shoot- in that last segment with the 26 attempts from distance. “Especially the past Milos Uzan. Uzan wasn't the only ing woes, scoring 7 points on ball. I thought he was really 3. Groves quietly records month, I've been feeling good The Oklahoma freshman three-straight possessions trying to get everybody else double-double at practice, practicing well,” freshman to impress. Fresh- stepped on the floor early in man guard Otega Oweh also with two mid-range jumpers involved. That’s a good thing” ‘The senior big man pro- Groves said. “I can just tell Tuesday's exhibition against anda 3. 2. Sooners struggle from vided a steady presence for from practice, everything's Oklahoma City University, stood out for the Sooners, “I thought he was press- the 3-point line the Sooners’ offense, finish- just translating. If you practice but he committed a turn- finishing with 11 points, 4 ing a bit,” Moser said. “But It was an issue that ing with 12 points and 11 re- hard every day, then you're over less than two minutes rebounds and 2 assists in 23 man, he can really be dan- plagued the team last season, bounds. He also made two of gonna play good. I just think into his first stint. However, minutes. gerous. He is dangerous. He when they ranked 118th na- the Sooners’ six 3-pointers, that extra weight is definitely it wasn’t a sign of things to “I was really impressed,” made some good passes, but tionally in 3-point field goal adding two assists and two helping me, and I'm excited to come. OU forward Tanner Groves we didn’t knock down some percentage (34.7) blocks. see how it translates against On the next possession, said. “I think the freshmen shots. What I saw, I have The Sooners passed the Groves, who added 15 some Big 12 opponents.” Uzan madea catch-and-shoot are studs, man... We've got 3-pointer. 27 seconds later, two guys that are really, re- he made a layup. He came ally solid. Give them some back in the game with six time, give them some experi- minutes to go before halftime ence, and the sky’s the limit Players, coaches focus on self-evaluation and immediately contributed for these guys. They’re studs, amade layup and an assist on both of them. during bye week a Grant Sherfield 3-pointer. “Otega, physically he's built for this league. He can Jesse Crittenden, The when you're raising kids. How position because we're trying by three points or less, includ- He finished the first half play right away as a fresh- Norman Transcript you do it and what you do mat- to do too much, bad play calls, inga tough 10-9 loss to Kansas with a game-high nine points. ters.” pre-snap penalties, turnovers, State on Oct. 8. Their biggest “He had a lot of really man. He’s so physically With Oklahoma entering ‘The self-evaluation wasn’t not making layups, overthrow- loss came in a 31-24 defeat at good moments that I think strong, [Milos] is just a great a much-needed bye last week, just limited to the forms. ing, dropping balls, you can go Baylor. are going to translate when point guard. He makes good Brent Venables had an idea. Both offensive and defensive down alist. “If you look at their football decisions. He’s tall. He's we play better competition,” He wanted his players and players watched film on both “Every single group has team, they’re sitting there with smart. Both of these guys coaches to evaluate them- sides of the ball to evaluate the both its strengths and its OU coach Porter Moser said. a record of 3-4, but we could be have bright futures.” selves. strengths and weaknesses of weaknesses and things we've playing a team just as easily “I think a typical thing for Here's three other take- ‘As part of that, Venables each unit. got to get better at. I’m just that’s 7-0,” Roof said. “When a freshman point guard is aways from the Sooners’ ex- passed out self-evaluation The coaches participated, hopeful that collectively we're you look at all of their games, to not be as vocal as he in hibition win over OCU: forms to the players and had too. able to make the kind of im- all of their losses are one- practice. I think he’s going 1. Sherfield runs the point each of them fill one out. It was “We also took a hard look provement that we need to possession losses. That's one to build on that, to be more With Jordan Goldwire an opportunity for the players at ourselves, which we do ev- but there's a lot of work to be play. They’re one play away in vocal. But the good things gone, the Sooners’ starting to discuss where they need to ery week, but an extended self- done, and I believe that our four games from being 7-0. We he did that I saw, those plays point guard spot was open. improve. scout,” OU defensive coordina- guys [have] the willingness to respect every opponent, but translate to when we play re- It appears Sherfield has But it wasn’t just about tor Ted Roof said. “[We had a] continue to put the work in.” certainly have a lot of respect their performance on the field. two-hour self-scout presenta- Now, the team hopes that for Iowa State and how they do ally good competition, and taken it. “Some of [the form] has to tion where a group of coaches work will pay off. The preseason Big 12 that excited me.” Newcomer of the Year got the do with football and some of it on our staff were reviewing our After a tough three-game whatTothey do.” win, the Sooners will ‘The freshman was a bright doesn’t,” Venables said during defense, what they saw, how skid, the Sooners (4-3, 1-3 Big need to build on their perfor- start against OCU and com- spot on aday where the Soon- manded the Sooners’ offense, his media availability on Tues- they would attack us, things of 12) scored a big 52-42 win over day. “Some of it is how we do that nature. You always want then-No.19 Kansas before the mance against Kansas. And ers struggled to score with leading the team in shot at- Venables hopes their self-eval- efficiency. He slowed down tempts (13) and plus-minus what we do. A lot of it is self to look at yourself and how bye week. The team current- evaluation. That was enlight- [other teams see us.] That was ly sits in eighth place in the uation will help with that. in the second half but man- (29). ening to me. They're listening really helpful. Big 12 standings, though the “We had a great week of aged to finish with 11 points He scored 14 points but to everything and watching “A lot of it is affirmation, Sooners have time to move up practice the week of the Kan- on 5-of-7 shooting to go with struggled with his shot (5- everything that we do, just like things you already know. It’s the standings. sas game and it showed and just a different perspective, However, their remaining our guys had a great bye week, different viewpoints.” five games won't be easy. Their just a tremendous attitude For Venables, it was all for post-bye schedule begins this and perspective, had a great To win, Sooners will the ultimate goal of improve- weekend with a road trip to practice last night,” Venables ment while helping the players Towa State, which has defeat- said. “I'll be the first to tell you and coaches hold each other ed them twice in the past six when the practice doesn’t meet need to find ways to score accountable. “[I saw] a lot of inconsis- meetings. the standards and the expecta- ‘The Cyclones are currently tions. tency,” Venables said. “We've last in the conference stand- “Our guys have been hun- against stout Iowa had our moments of weakness. ings and have yet to win a gry, they've been humble, and It’s because of a lot of things. conference game, but their they've been hard-working. It’s not just one thing. Wheth- 3-4 record isn’t reflective of Hopefully there'll be improve- er it's the fundamentals, it’s their performance this season. ment between now and the State defense technique, it’s [being] out of ‘Three of their four losses came end of the season.” Jesse Crittenden, The Norman Transcript ‘The Sooners were better defending the run Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life chotces last week against Kansas, giving up 165 rush- Here's a look at six key matchups for the ing yards. Still, they rank 121st nationally in Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- Oklahoma-Iowa State game (11 a.m. Satur- rushing defense. sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer day on FS1) and how the Sooners fare in each Passing defense: Iowa State or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical area: Rushing offense: Oklahoma ‘The Cyclones have been just as good at details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. defending the pass, ranking 16th nationally ‘Through all of the season’s ups and downs, in passing yards allowed (184.4 per game). or questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: the Sooners’ rushing offense has been mostly ‘They've given up just nine passing touch- steady and very productive. They rank 14th downs. Last week, they limited Texas quarter- nationally in rushing offense (227.6 yards back Quinn Ewers to just 172 yards on 19-of- Carrie Perry, RN/ Admir trator per game) and are averaging a healthy 5.1 yards per carry. Running back Eric Gray has 49 attempts. It’s a big reason why they rank sixth in scoring defense (15.1 points allowed Pat Welsh, RN/ Joordinator of Patient Care been one of the team’s standout players and is coming off a career-high 176 yards against per game). Some of the most common conditions are: Kansas. Jovantae Barnes has been solid filling ‘The Sooners rank 85th in passing yards al- * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) in for the injured Marcus Major. lowed. Towa State ranks 118th in rushing offense, Special teams: Oklahoma ° End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) © End Stage Amyotrophic averaging 101 yards per game and 3.27 yards OU kicker Zach Schmit hasn’t been used Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ¢ per game. much in recent weeks. He’s kicked just two * End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV Passing offense: Oklahoma field goals in the past three weeks — he made + End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’: Alzheimer’s The Sooners’ team passing numbers both — but he’s 6-for — 7 on the season. dropped significantly with Dillin Gabriel out Punter Michael Turk continues to be a solid of the lineup, but the individual stats are a presence, averaging 45 yards per punt on 34 carrte better reflection. Despite missing most of attempts. The Sooners’ kick and punt return Perry, RN Professional, Passionate the TCU game, Gabriel ranks 28th nationally in passing yards per game (269.7) and 13th teams haven’t made much of an impact, but Advance, Attentive... they're not making mistakes, either. in passer rating (166.18). He's also coming off a 403-yard, two-touchdown performance Towa State kicker Jace Gilbert is 9-of-13 Our Difference Is Our Care on the season, though he’s made just 3-of-5 " against Kansas. attempts from 30-39 yards. Towa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers Intangibles: Oklahoma Have you ever considered becoming ranks 63rd in passing yards per game (137.53) Towa State has been a tough opponent and has struggled with turnovers, posting a for the Sooners in recent years. They've won a hospice volunteer? 13/7 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season. two of the past six patchups, and all of the A fulfilling experience in the spirit games during that span have been settled by Rushing defense: Iowa State of giving and receiving. As much as the Cyclones have struggled 10 points or fewer. They're coming off four- offensively, their defense has been the best straight heartbreaking losses to conference in the Big 12. They rank 15th in rushing de- opponents and will be looking to get a win at fense, surrendering just 105.3 yards per home. But the Sooners are coming off a much- game. They've also only given up four rush- needed win over Kansas and are anxious to ing touchdowns to opposing offenses. They've make progress over the final stretch of the given up more than 131 rushing yards just season after a string of three straight losses ‘once in seven games. to open conference play.