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Why Oklahoma DB Peyton Bowen's Punt Block Almost Didn't Happen

The true freshman blocked SMU's first punt on Saturday, helping the Sooners take an early lead against the visiting Mustangs.
Ryan Chapman|
Why Oklahoma DB Peyton Bowen's Punt Block Almost Didn't Happen
Why Oklahoma DB Peyton Bowen's Punt Block Almost Didn't Happen

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Oklahoma Sooners

NORMAN — Even the best laid plans sometimes get scrapped.

True freshman safety Peyton Bowen found that out firsthand on Saturday night.

Minutes into No. 18-ranked Oklahoma’s contest against SMU, the Sooner defense forced a punt.

OU showed pressure and went after Mustang punter Ryan Bujcevski. Bowen came screaming in off the edge and got a piece of the kick, setting up the Sooners with excellent field position at the 40-yard line in SMU territory.

Three plays later, Oklahoma wide receiver Andrel Anthony waltzed into the end zone, scoring the first touchdown of what would become a 28-11 victory for the Sooners.

“Great job,” OU coach Brent Venables said of the blocked kick after the game. “Coach (Jay) Valai and Coach (Jay) Nunez called it. Said 'We gonna block a punt.' And we thought it was gonna be another guy, and Peyton did it.

“… So proud of Peyton and that unit overall.”

The former 5-star recruit showed off his instincts to get a hand up and block the punt, but Venables was right.

Oklahoma thought “another guy” was going to block the punt because Bowen wasn’t supposed to try and block the punt at all.

“Man I wasn't even supposed to go, I ain't gonna lie,” Bowen said after the game. “I was supposed to help block for a blocker and then it kind of just like — we didn't get lined up correctly early. And he blocked so hard down I saw no guard, like no shield and I was like, 'Let's go make a play.' And that's what I did, and it ended up working out in our favor.

“It was one of those take-a-risk moments and it worked.”

The Sooners worked on Bowen throughout the entire recruiting cycle, surviving his initial commitment to Notre Dame and persevering through his shocking signing day flip to Oregon, because he’s a playmaker of the highest order.

“You can’t teach that,” OU cheetah linebacker Justin Harrington said. “… He’s just an athletic kid. He can do a lot of things that are maybe out of his realm. He might not think he can do it but he’s capable of doing a lot of things.”

Harrington was right about Bowen’s versatility as his impact wasn’t just limited to the first-quarter punt block.

SMU’s back was against the wall in the fourth quarter. OU had just extended the lead to 21-11, and the Mustangs were backed up into fourth-and-5 at their own 30-yard line.

Freshman quarterback Preston Stone looked to his left and threw the ball to Jason Kerley near the first down marker, but Bowen made a play on the football. He broke up the pass, and Jeff Lebby’s offense immediately cashed in, sealing the victory for the Sooners.

“I was just doing my job,” Bowen said. “If I was late on that job he would have caught it for a first down. So that's where it really just comes into to knowing my responsibility and doing it.

“… Just do your job and things will happen. And that's exactly what happened on that play.”

The pass breakup capped off a game where Bowen was deployed all over the field.

More than just a safety, he was used at cheetah linebacker when Harrington was pulled off the field, and at one point he even appeared to play middle linebacker alongside Danny Stutsman when the Mustangs found themselves in third-and-long.

“It's just that next man up mentality,” Bowen said. “If I want to play, I need to know all those positions. … I’m ready to go in because I'm ready to play.

“I want to get those moments. Get thrown into the fire. It's great experience. I love playing for this school. It's amazing.”

Last week against Arkansas State, Bowen was ready as well. He helped lay a hit that allowed cornerback Kani Walker to force a fumble in the 73-0 rout of the Red Wolves.

Just two games into his Oklahoma career, Venables believes Bowen is only scratching the surface of what he can be for the Sooners.

“He's only going to get better. I don't know how good,” Venables said. “… I love Peyton. He's just so innocent. He don't know what he don't know yet.

“But he makes plays, and he's super coachable. I love his humility. He has no ego whatsoever, and that's what's going to allow him to become a great player.

“He's a hard-working dude, and he cares about his teammates. He values the opportunity, so he had a couple of really good plays tonight.”

There’s no telling what Bowen has in store next weekend when OU hits the road to take on Tulsa. Saturday night, he said he’d like to haul in his first interception at Oklahoma.

But overall he was happy with how he played against SMU, especially after helping capture the first-quarter momentum with the blocked punt.

“It was low-key live,” he said. “… I feel like personally it was one of those more upbeat games where it was close for the whole game until the fourth (quarter).

“And so it was a surreal moment. Once I saw I had the opportunity I was like, 'Dang, it would be nice to block it.' But hey, it worked out.”

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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is co-publisher at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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