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Oklahoma-TCU Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Josh Callaway offer their real-time observations from the Sooners' prime time contest against TCU.
John E. Hoover|
Oklahoma-TCU Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog
Oklahoma-TCU Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

NORMAN — Keep up with the SI Sooners live blog throughout today's Oklahoma-Texas game. Just refresh your browser to see the latest posts.

10:13 p.m.

Sooners win 52-31. Final stats:

9:54 p.m.

Lincoln Riley is fuming after TCU got away with a hold in the end zone on a Max Duggan scramble that resulted in a first down. He's also mad that Kendre Miller apparently continued blocking Josh Eaton well out of bounds and long after the whistle blew. Riley was absolutely giving the side judge the business.

 — JH

9:38 p.m.

Nothing new to report, but this is worth the watch again.

— RC

9:33 p.m.

Well here’s a development…

Mrs. SI Sooners watching the game at home informed the bossman that Kirk Herbstreit has declared that Caleb Williams should be inserted into the Heisman Trophy race.

How’s that for your debut as a starter.

To his credit, he already would have a pretty gnarly Heisman highlight tape.

— RC

9:27 p.m.

Third-quarter stats:

9:23 p.m.

TCU avoids disaster there.

Latrell McCutchin strips Horned Frogs running back Derius Davis, and linebacker DaShaun White recovers.

Trying to take the ball back to the house, White leaps at the 3-yard line in an attempt to extend the ball over the goal line, but he pulled his best Derek Carr impression and a replay review confirmed that he fumbled the ball out the back of the end zone.

In the end, the Horned Frogs regain possession via a touchback, and are immediately driving right back down the field as the OU defensive backs can’t cover their own shadow right now.

— RC

9:15 p.m.

Caleb Williams just sprinted through the TCU defense for a 41-yard touchdown run. Is he suddenly the Most Outstanding Player in the nation?

Sooners lead 45-24, 2:20 to go in the third quarter.

— JH

9:13 p.m.

Pretty good deep throw there by Williams, just through Mike Woods’ hands. Woods — who ran a slant-and-go — should have caught that. Would have been a 46-yard touchdown if he had.

— JH

9:11 p.m.

Nice fake pitch there on the option play and Caleb Williams picked up 22 yards on the run. But his slide at the end might have been more athletic than anything we’ve seen out of Rattler in one and a half seasons as the starting QB. Just a totally difference skillset.

— RC 

9:10 p.m.

OK, it's official. Sooner fans love Caleb Williams.

He just executed a fake option pitch and took its for a 22-yard run. That looked like a Jamelle Holieway special. 

Geez.

— JH

9:05 p.m.

On third-and-goal, Max Duggan scrambles up the middle after it opens wide, but David Ugwoegbu and Nik Bonitto shut him down. Man, this OU defense can run.

TCU field goal cuts it to 38-24 with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

— JH

9:03 p.m.

Pretty good day at the office for one Jadon Haselwood. 

Meanwhile… the secondary is getting absolutely scorched.

— RC

9:00 p.m.

Those in Norman aren’t the only ones who have been impressed with Oklahoma’s new QB1…

— RC

8:58 p.m.

Caleb Williams — let’s just say it — he’s got this quarterback thing down.

After a failed TCU onside kick, Williams takes it to the 7-yard line, where he faked a handoff to Kennedy Brooks, tucked the ball in his belly as if carrying out the run-fake or making the defense think he had the ball, and then took off to the right in a dead sprint. He then pulled the ball out and, while on the run, whipped a throw into the end zone to Jaden Haselwood, who grabs his third touchdown of the night.

Sooner offense looks in good hands.

— JH

8:54 p.m.

It appears OU learned their lesson from K-State. The Sooners were all over that surprise onside kick attempt.

And on top of that, a wild Marcus Major has appeared in the backfield on the ensuing drive. Welcome back.

— RC

8:50 p.m.

Max Duggan and Quentin Johnston can’t be held down very long — not against a freshman cornerback.

Duggan chucks it deep to Johnston, who beats Bowman in man coverage with a out bend in his go route, and Pat Fields can’t keep his feet as Johnston takes it 75 yards to the house. It’s 31-21 with 11:01 to play in the third quarter.

Guessing Alex Grinch won’t be happy about Bowman’s technique or Fields’ attempt to help.

— JH

8:45 p.m.

Caleb Williams drills a dart to Jadon Haselwood on a quick slant to the left side. Another scoring drive for the Sooners engineered by their freshman QB. OU leads 31-14,, 11:48 to go in the third quarter.

— JH

8:42 p.m.

A week ago, offensive lineman Erik Swenson couldn’t get into his stance in the second half due to what O-line coach Bill Bedenbaugh characterized as a back issue. Already on OU’s first offensive drive of the second half, the super senior is moving bodies, helping spring that Brooks run.

Unfortunately for OU, starting left tackle Anton Harrison was down on the field after the play and had to be helped off.

— RC

8:40 p.m.

Williams may just be a master of drawing a 15-yard pass interference penalty. For the third time today, he underthrows a wide open receiver — again, it’s Marvin Mims — and again draws a defensive penalty. It should have been at least a 40-yard gain, but the Sooner drive continues with a 15-yarder. On the next play, Kennedy Brooks takes it 45 yards into the red zone. Brooks now has 88 yards on eight carries.

— JH

8:16 p.m.

Impressive first half as the starter from Caleb Williams.

Entering tonight, the most passes of 15 yards or more the Sooners had completed in a game was seven (happened against Tulane and Western Carolina).

Through one half of football with Williams at the helm, Oklahoma has completed eight such passes.

Of those eight tonight, four have gone for more than 30 yards. The offensive line has certainly played better, but the big-play threat is back in a big way with Williams at quarterback.

— RC

8:13 p.m.

Halftime stats:

8:10 p.m.

Caleb Williams has been very good tonight, but he was exquisite on the scoring drive right before half. He threw a dart off-schedule to Eric Gray on the first play, then threw a picturesque deep ball to Marvin Mims that would have been caught for a touchdown if not for a pass interference penalty. His 16-yard throw to Mike Woods on the sideline also avoided pressure and was spot-on. Williams finished it with an 11-yard touchdown strike to Jadon Haselwood to put the Sooners up 24-14 with 20 seconds to halftime.

 — JH

8:04 p.m.

Caleb Williams getting the ball back with 1:43 and two timeouts. Let’s see what the kid can do having to go 76 yards to pay dirt.

— RC 

8:00 p.m.

An image of former Sooner running back Rodney Anderson was just used for a promotion on the video board. Then when the on-field camera cut to him, he posed for a second, then dropped to one knee, whipped out an engagement ring, and asked his girlfriend to marry him.

She said yes.

— JH

8:00 p.m.

Rodney Anderson is now engaged and finally, Oklahoma fans have a fond memory of a running back proposing in the end zone at an OU game … Too soon?

— RC

7:57 p.m.

There were always going to be growing pains, no matter how talented the true freshman Williams is. Patterson has gotten the best of him the last few possessions, settling for field goal attempts and a punt. Big drive here for the OU defense, especially considering TCU gets the ball back to start the second half.

— RC 

7:51 p.m.

This pass defense by Oklahoma has been a major disappointment. Entering the night, the Sooners were the No. 108-ranked pass defense in the country.

So far tonight, OU has allowed 155 yards through the air with 4:27 still remaining until halftime.

To be fair, there are plenty of injuries. Delarrin Turner-Yell, Woodi Washington and Jeremiah Criddell were all ruled out entering the game, and D.J. Graham has exited this one with what was described as concussion protocol on the OU radio broadcast.

True freshman Billy Bowman (making his first appearance at corner), Jaden Davis (who has struggled mightily this season), and true freshman Latrell McCutchin appear to be the guys at corner for the rest of the night. Spooky stuff.

— RC 

7:50 p.m.

I bet Gary Patterson's feeling pretty good right about now.

After a TCU touchdown is called back, the OU audio/video production team plays an excerpt of Patterson's "Take a Step Back." He doesn't like that one bit.

So on the next play, Max Duggan throws a 20-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston.

Give Patterson the last laugh on that one. 

OU leads 17-14, 4:27 til halftime.

  — JH

7:49 p.m.

I’ve been impressed by Oklahoma’s effort and chase on defense. But Max Duggan and the TCU running backs are just making plays. Knocking tacklers backward, leaning forward at the end of tackles. TCU is playing just as hard. I think we might be in for another fantastic finish.

— JH

7:45 p.m.

Not sure if he ended up getting the first down or not, but TCU again opted to call a third down play to set up fourth-and-short at the worst. The fourth down woes aren’t magically going to go away for the Sooner defense. Going to have to show on tape they can get some stops on fourth down.

— RC

7:42 p.m.

Great timing by Alex Grinch to send Justin Broiles on a blitz. He hits Max Duggan, who gets the throw away a little late, and Kendre Miller bobbles the catch, leading to a loss to 3 after the tackle by Brian Asamoah. Sooners doing a good job giving chase.

— JH

7:40 p.m.

Now at corner, true freshman Billy Bowman continues to be one of OU’s best tacklers in the open field. Still allowed a first down but could have been a whole lot worse along TCU’s sideline.

— RC

7:38 p.m.

Oklahoma's cornerbacks on this drive following the Graham news (below) are Jaden Davis and Billy Bowman. Really thought Latrell McCutchin might get the call and give the Sooners two true freshman corners.

— JH

7:36 p.m.

More potential bad news on the injury front for Oklahoma.

7:34 p.m.

After Austin Stogner straight up drops an easy 2-yard touchdown catch from Caleb Williams, Williams is sacked for a loss of 9. Gabe Brkic comes in for a 28-yard field goal and makes it 17-7, 11:13 til halftime.

— JH

7:31 p.m.

Caleb Williams rolls out right and connects on a short throw to Mike Woods, who catches, turns and cuts outside, then inside, then outside his defender and up the sideline on his way to a 59-yard pickup.

Big stats for Williams, but that was almost all Woods.

— JH

7:29 p.m.

On fourth-and-2, Brian Asamoah chases down Max Duggan on the sideline short of the first down. That’s as fast as I’ve ever seen Asamoah run.

Afterward, he was head-butted by Isaiah Thomas, DaShaun White, Key Lawrence and others.

Huge stop for the Sooner defense at the OU 30.

— JH

7:20 p.m.

First-quarter stats:

7:19 p.m. 

Another rarity here at Owen Field. Gabe Brkic called upon for a 46-yard field goal, but he bounces it off the upright and it’s no good. Still 14-7 Sooners handing the ball back to the explosive Horned Frog offense. 

 — RC

7:16 p.m.

The explosive passing game is back here for OU, but allow me to nitpick just a little bit here.

That’s three balls now, the one to Mike Woods that was called back for an illegal man downfield, the one to Hall on the touchdown, and now the ball to Mims that have been just a hair under thrown. Obviously all three resulted in completed passes, but all three should have been touchdowns, and the Hall one should have been out a second sooner which would have allowed Hall to walk untouched into the end zone. Just little things Williams will have to clean up, though he’s still been incredibly impressive in his first start.

— RC

7:15 p.m.

Williams to Marvin Mims for 42 yards. Williams ran a play-action fake and threw a post-corner route to Mims running on the right side of the formation. A little underthrown, but Mims was open enough to catch bring it in.

— JH

7:09 p.m.

Defensive breakdown for the Sooners on a middle screen pass. Max Duggan dumps off to speedy Kendre Miller and he just outruns everyone to the end zone. Just a perfectly drawn up play and absolutely blocked up downfield.

That’s the kind of action this Oklahoma defense can expect all night because of its reputation for overpursuing. Duggan had a rusher (Reggie Grimes) in his face as he threw, but was poised under duress and delivered the pass precisely on time.

It’s 14-7, 3:43 to go in the first quarter.

— JH

7:07 p.m.

Well, the King has chimed in. 

High praise for the new QB1.

— RC

7:01 p.m.

In case you’re wondering what makes Caleb Williams special, one of his qualities is, not unlike Spencer Rattler, a snap release. He just cocked and fired a 17-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Hall for a 14-0 Sooner lead. Williams hesitated for just a moment, then saw Hall break open behind the defender and threw a perfect ball.

— JH

6:59 p.m.

And just like that, a play-action fake by Williams allows Brayden Willis to pop free for a 40 yards to the 5-yard line … but an ineligible receiver penalty kills the play.

So on the next play, Williams drops back conventionally and throws a dart over the middle to Trevon West for a gain of 35 yards.

This kid might be pretty good.

— JH

6:57 p.m.

Both Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks in the backfield here on the second OU drive, a result of Marcus Major gaining eligibility and being reinstated. I don’t think it was the first time all season it’s happened, but Riley has been wary of putting both of his healthy running backs on the field at the same time for sure. Ran with the look on three straight plays though on drive No. 2. Riley is clearly comfortable with opening up the entire playbook.

— RC

6:55 p.m.

We’ve talked all week about Caleb Williams’ mobility and the threat of him running. It’s showing up early against TCU. The Horned Frogs don’t know what to expect from him as he manipulates the football around the field. We’ve seen him execute effective runs, conservative and confident passes, and even a couple of deft RPOs.

— JH

6:55 p.m.

OU defense starts with a three-and-out and the student section continues their “Let’s go Caleb!” chant through the ensuing stoppage.

— RC

6:54 p.m.

Some notable changes in OU’s starting defensive lineup. Billy Bowman is playing corner, Justin Broiles is at nickel, Isaiah Thomas moved inside to DT allowing Reggie Grimes to start at DE.

Full Starters:

Bonitto - Winfrey - Thomas - Grimes

Asamoah - White

Graham - Broiles - Fields - Lawrence - Bowman

— RC

6:50 p.m.

Rattler was out to high five all of the skill players who came off the field after the touchdown (lineman stayed out to block for the PAT), including Williams. Mature reaction on the sideline in an incredibly difficult situation for the young quarterback.

— RC 

6:46 p.m.

Caleb Williams, the starter at QB, is known. The rest of the Oklahoma starters are as follows:

Harrison - Hayes - Raym - Murray - Robinson

Haselwood - Willis - Mims - Woods - Brooks

— RC

6:43 p.m.

Spencer Rattler hugs Caleb Williams and daps him up before the Sooner offense takes the field for the first time tonight. That’s been a rare site on the OU sideline this season.

— RC

6:40 p.m.

Last player out of the tunnel: Caleb Williams. The true freshman fashionably late to his debut as the starter. One of a kind.

— RC

6:39 p.m.

We must remember that although Caleb Williams was announced as the Sooners' starting QB, Spencer Rattler is still a team captain. He's heading out to midfield now for the pregame coin toss.

— JH

6:37 p.m.

Here we go. 

Caleb Williams announced as the starting quarterback on the video board ahead of the game, and predictably GFOMS erupted. Not quite OU half of the Cotton Bowl last week loud, but it was electric.

Student section looks ready to come unglued. "Caleb! Caleb! Caleb!" chants persisted for about 30 seconds after the announcement.

Now we can football. 

— RC

6:28 p.m.

Press box PA says Lincoln Riley has announced tonight's starting QB will be Caleb Williams. 

We are not at all surprised.

— JH

6:06 p.m.

Can officially confirm that star TCU running back Zach Evans will be out. He's made his way to the field in street clothes. Major blow for the Horned Frogs. 

— RC

6:02 p.m.

It looks like the entire TCU team is out on the field… but I don’t see running back Zach Evans. He was listed as questionable ahead of this game. Would be a major development.

— RC

5:58 p.m.

Defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam has played well this year as a true freshman, but he's not suited out tonight. 

— JH

5:51 p.m.

This wouldn’t be the first time the pregame snap pairings have been shifted to hide the starter, but Spencer Rattler is indeed taking snaps from center Andrew Raym and Caleb Williams is taking snaps from Robert Congel.

— RC 

5:49 p.m.

BREAKING NEWS: Spencer Rattler has not entered the transfer portal. In fact, it appears he's suited out for tonight's game against the Horned Frogs.

I'm being a little silly, of course, but so many "I heard he quit" posts this week. Come on.

He is, in fact, in full uniform and throwing footballs in pregame warmups.

As expected.

— JH

5:43 p.m.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan is dressed and running through warmups. Doesn’t look too limited, but not really having to exert himself much. The QB was listed as questionable ahead of tonight’s contest.

— RC

5:30 p.m.

No Jalen Redmond in warmups with the defensive linemen. I don't see him at all yet.

 — JH

5:21 p.m.

Add Delarrin Turner-Yell to the list of players in street clothes.

— RC

5:17 p.m.

Defensive backs Jeremiah Criddell and Woodi Washington are both in street clothes for warmups.

— RC

5:00 p.m.

About 90 minutes to kickoff at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kickers are warming up. A perfectly temperate night. A lot of questions to be answered tonight.

My first one is: Will Woodi Washington and Theo Wease finally play? My gut tells me they will.

— JH

4:52 p.m.

Bounced around a few tailgates ahead of the game and fans seem incredibly optimistic about the Caleb Williams era starting today. 

Totally different feel from before the West Virginia game when people seemed very frustrated with the offense. 

— RC

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John E. Hoover
JOHN E. HOOVER

John is an award-winning journalist whose work spans five decades in Oklahoma, with multiple state, regional and national awards as a sportswriter at various newspapers. During his newspaper career, John covered the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Arkansas Razorbacks and much more. In 2016, John changed careers, migrating into radio and launching a YouTube channel, and has built a successful independent media company, DanCam Media. From there, John has written under the banners of Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, Fan Nation and a handful of local and national magazines while hosting daily sports talk radio shows in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and statewide. John has also spoken on Capitol Hill in Oklahoma City in a successful effort to put more certified athletic trainers in Oklahoma public high schools. Among the dozens of awards he has won, John most cherishes his national "Beat Writer of the Year" from the Associated Press Sports Editors, Oklahoma's "Best Sports Column" from the Society of Professional Journalists, and Two "Excellence in Sports Medicine Reporting" Awards from the National Athletic Trainers Association. John holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from East Central University in Ada, OK. Born and raised in North Pole, Alaska, John played football and wrote for the school paper at Ada High School in Ada, OK. He enjoys books, movies and travel, and lives in Broken Arrow, OK, with his wife and two kids.

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