In the aftermath of Oklahoma’s crushing 34-3 defeat to the Texas Longhorns in Week 7, head coach Brent Venables faced tough questions about his team’s performance, particularly regarding the quarterback situation. Venables was asked if he considered making a quarterback change during the game, but he swiftly shut down the notion with a firm “No.” This response signaled his commitment to Michael Hawkins Jr., despite the young quarterback’s struggles in his second career start.

The Quarterback Situation

Hawkins Jr., who took over after Jackson Arnold was benched, had a challenging game. He completed 19 of 30 passes for just 148 yards, and his efforts on the ground were equally unproductive, running 20 times for a mere 27 yards. Despite the dismal stats, Venables maintained his confidence in Hawkins, signaling that the issues with Oklahoma’s offense extended beyond just the quarterback.

This decision not to entertain a quarterback switch was notable, especially given the visible frustrations of Oklahoma fans, who had hoped for a more competitive performance against their bitter rivals. Hawkins, while lacking in effectiveness, wasn’t solely responsible for the Sooners’ struggles. The offensive line, running game, and receivers all played a role in Oklahoma’s inability to execute.

The Game Breakdown

Oklahoma’s offensive woes began early, with the Sooners missing a field goal on their opening drive. As the game progressed, their chances to score diminished further with back-to-back fumbles in the second quarter. This led to a disjointed and ineffective attack that averaged a meager 3.4 yards per play. With turnovers and special teams mishaps piling up, the Sooners couldn’t establish any rhythm, giving Texas complete control of the game.

Hawkins wasn’t able to generate much, whether through the air or on the ground. His inexperience showed as he struggled to find open receivers and extend plays. Oklahoma’s depth concerns at the wide receiver position were also well known heading into the game, further complicating their offensive strategy. This lack of offensive weapons limited Hawkins’ options, leaving him frequently under pressure and without reliable targets to get the ball to.

Defensive Struggles

While the offensive struggles were glaring, Oklahoma’s defense also failed to live up to expectations. Texas, the No. 1 team in the country, took full advantage of Oklahoma’s miscues, building a lead that was never seriously threatened. The Sooners’ defense had few answers for Texas’ efficient offensive attack, and with Oklahoma unable to generate points, the pressure on the defense to keep the game close became overwhelming.

Venables, known for his defensive coaching expertise, would likely have been disappointed with the team’s defensive execution, especially in a rivalry game of this magnitude. While it’s easy to focus on the offensive side of the ball, the defense’s inability to contain Texas was just as significant in the final result.

Venables’ Confidence in Hawkins

Venables’ quick dismissal of a potential quarterback change speaks to his belief in Michael Hawkins Jr. Despite the struggles, Venables has seen enough potential in Hawkins to keep him in the starting role, at least for now. This level of confidence could be a sign that the coaching staff views Hawkins as the quarterback of the future and is willing to ride out the growing pains, even in a high-pressure situation like the Red River Rivalry.

However, this decision could also come with risks. If Hawkins continues to struggle and the losses pile up, Venables may face mounting criticism from fans and analysts alike. In a conference as competitive as the Big 12, every game matters, and Oklahoma’s performance in key games like the Texas showdown can have lasting implications on the team’s reputation and postseason hopes.

Oklahoma’s Path Forward

For Oklahoma, the loss to Texas highlights several areas that need improvement. While Hawkins is young and has room to grow, the Sooners’ offense as a whole needs to find ways to become more dynamic and consistent. Whether it’s through better play-calling, improving the offensive line, or getting more production from their skill positions, Oklahoma will need to address these issues quickly.

Defensively, Venables will need to focus on tightening up the schemes and making sure his players are executing at a high level. Oklahoma has prided itself on being a defensive powerhouse in recent years, and their Week 7 performance did little to uphold that reputation.

While the loss to Texas stings, it’s still early in the season, and Oklahoma has time to turn things around. But the pressure will only increase from here, and how Venables and his coaching staff respond will be crucial to the team’s chances of salvaging the season.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

The fanbase’s reactions following the Texas game were mixed, with some supporting Venables’ decision to stick with Hawkins, while others called for changes. For many Oklahoma fans, the rivalry with Texas carries immense significance, and losing in such a lopsided fashion was a tough pill to swallow. However, Venables’ calm and steadfast approach may prove to be the right one in the long run, as he looks to build a program capable of sustained success.

Oklahoma’s fanbase is known for its passion and high expectations, and with the Sooners historically being one of the top programs in the country, there is always pressure to perform at the highest level. Venables has the experience and knowledge to guide the program forward, but results on the field will ultimately determine his success.

Conclusion

Brent Venables’ one-word response—”No”—to the question of a quarterback change reflects his confidence in Michael Hawkins Jr., despite Oklahoma’s poor performance in their 34-3 loss to Texas. Hawkins struggled, but Venables stood firm in his belief that the issues went beyond the quarterback position, pointing to a larger set of problems within the offense. With Oklahoma’s season still in play, Venables will have to address these issues quickly if the Sooners are to bounce back from this defeat and make a push for success in the Big 12. Fans, while disappointed, will be looking for signs of improvement, and the pressure will be on Venables to deliver