I’m happy for Coach Venables. There have been many naysayers in Oklahoma despite the fact Coach V inherited a football program which in reality hadn’t played defense for over a decade before his arrival.
In fact, I even went on the Jim Traber call-in show the Monday after the Ole Miss loss and defended Coach V. This hasn’t been an easy turnaround at OU since Lincoln Riley’s departure. But here’s the truth of the matter…this OU defense would never have come about if Lincoln Riley had stayed.
If you ever took the time to know Coach Venables life story you would be impressed. He and his four four siblings never had it easy. They basically stuck by their Mom in tough times and just found a way to grow up the right way.
When I think of Brent Venables …I think of his individual toughness as a man… a Christian man, in fact. His wife was diagnosed with cancer once they got here and there’s been that on the table as well as dealing with the dumber portion of the OU fanbase.
But he’s held in there, man. Never blinked. Never waivered. Never surrendered. As as you might know if you’ve read this blog before… as a Stage 4 cancer survivor— I have the ultimate respect for humans who stick to their faith, hold firm to their core beliefs, and find a way.
The season isn’t over. Every week since the Ole Miss game has in fact been an elimination game for these Sooners. There is no margin for error. Next up…Missouri in Norman at 11:00am on the first ABC SEC game of the day.
OU basically won this game in Tuscaloosa by out-toughing the Crimson Tide. By creating what should have been four turnovers if Kensize had just fallen on the damn ball near the sideline. By dominating all facets of the kicking game. By being the more physical team and punching Alabama in the mouth on their field. And by hanging tough together as a group on a day when their best player, R Mason Brown, couldn’t go.
If OU wants to continue winning these elimination games… John Mateer and the offense will need to be better. They clearly know that fact.
I’m happy. I’m at peace, and of course…I cried last night at the end.
But most of all…I’m proud of these guys for not surrendering.
Game balls to Kip Lewis, Taylor Wein, and Tate Sandell.
MJ
*Evidently this song was blaring from the OU locker room after the game. As well it should after OU’s first two seasons in the big, bad SEC as the Sooners swept Auburn and Alabama for the 2nd straight season. All-time…OU is now 4-0 vs. Auburn and 5-1 vs. Alabama this century. The one loss came when Lincoln Riley’s defense gave up 45 points to the Tide in a national semi-final loss 45-35. Just sayin’.
I should give Eli Bowen a game ball as well for the pick six. Eli….game ball, dude.