February 18, 2023 Issue, Page 9 of 10

Page Text

Sports February 18, 2023 ‘The Elk City News -9 OU men’s What the Patriots can learn from the basketball: Chiefs and Super Bowl LVII Sooners snap sev- Karen Guregian, Boston Herald and receiving weapons. Patriots have brought in a new Like Klemm, perhaps O’Brien will Mahomes is a generational talent. en-game conference offensive line coach in Adrian Kl- have input in the draft, given he Super Bowl LVII provided a clear He led the Chiefs to three touch- ‘emm. Former offensive line legend has a pretty good beat on college and emphatic illustration of what downs and a game-winning field Dante Scarnecchia is high on him, receivers, especially those in the skid, beat No. 12 today’s NEL is all about. goal on the team’s four second- ‘The Chiefs beat the Eagles, 38-35, half possessions, going 13 of 14 so that’s a plus. Klemm, however, still needs talent SEC after coaching at Alabama largely because they are masters at with two passing touchdowns. to make it work, and make Jones the past two years. Or maybe, Bill Kansas State moving the football, and have the Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, proved best quarterback in the game in he is going to be a force to be reck- Belichick will dip into free agency alittle more secure in the pocket. It starts at tackle. Whether via or make a trade for a top gun who Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs can oned with given his otherworldly free agency or the draft — Klemm actually scares a defense. Jesse Crittenden, The Norman “He was everywhere. We were put up points in a hurry, score on performance (27 of 38 for 304 should have a good handle on the Whatever the case, it should be Transcript more aggressive trying to get him every possession if necessary to yards, 4 overall TDs) on the NFL's college talent having spent most (touches). I wanted him to get get the job done, and come from biggest stage. of his time coaching at that level obvious to Belichick what the NFL It’s a conversion Oklahoma coach more paint touches. He drew some behind facing any kind of deficit. Jones? — the line can no longer specialize has become, and what he needs to Porter Moser had with his team fouls. He got in there.” ‘That used to be a long-held dis- He's now a third-year quarterback in getting the quarterback killed do to once again compete. following last Saturday's defeat Groves wasn’t the only Sooner to tinction of the Patriots’ champi- trying to recover from a lost year and giving him happy feet. against Kansas. provide a spark. Grant Sherfield The Chiefs actually resembled onship teams with Tom Brady at where all the promise on display Obviously, it would also help if many Patriots championship ‘The Sooners had to figure out how scored.a game-high 22 points to go the helm. Only now, that's a far from his rookie year disappeared the Patriots went with a blocking to sustain, or withstand, scoring with a team-high eight rebounds runs. cry from what the team has shown ina heap of bad coaching and poor scheme that suited the person- teams with their winning formula and six assists. Jalen Hill added 12 They opened the second half points and seven rebounds. on offense, and glaringly so last play. nel, instead of trying to force an Sunday night: elite quarterback against Kansas really well, cutting 2. Sooners increase the tempo, season. But let's say O'Brien gets Jones outside zone running scheme that play, stellar halftime adjustments a 13-point halftime deficit to six shoot the lights out ‘They weren’t the least bit explo- back on track, and back to utiliz~ didn’t jive with many of its play- by the coaching staff, keen situ- before the Jayhawks ran away with Under Moser, the Sooners have sive, scoring 30 points just once ing what Pro Football Hall of Fame ers. But you get the picture. ational awareness by the players the game. Facing No. 12-ranked played one of the slowest paces in during the year. And there was quarterback Kurt Warner would As for better weapons, that's been and a key special teams contribu- Kansas State on Wednesday, the the nation. no such thing as having the abil- call Jones’ “super powers,” namely a constant complaint in recent Sooners entered halftime tied and This season, the Sooners rank ity to make a comeback, especially his ability to quickly decipher de- years. tion, needed a spark. 282nd nationally in possessions against any of the good teams. If fenses, to throw the ball accurate- Maybe Brady in his day, or Ma- While the Pats might not be able They found what they were look- per game (68) and 207th in fast an opposing team hit 25, or had a ly, and his intelligence. homes in the present day, don’t to replicate life with Brady, they ing for. breaks per game (8.72). ‘The Sooners opened the sec- It would've been hard to tell late lead, the Patriots were most ‘That would be a start toward need to have a collection of elite can improve and already have ond half on a 12-2 run, taking a against the Wildcats. likely toast. something better, and closing the receivers to excel and win because started to make changes. 10-point lead. The Wildcats never ‘The Sooners regularly pushed the ‘Watching both the Chiefs and Ea- gap. But it doesn't totally solve the they have the ability to elevate In fact, Patriots owner Robert got closer than six points the rest pace and finished with a season- gles run their respective offenses, problem. There are other issues, those around them, but it would Kraft, appearing on a FOX busi- of the way. high 16 fastbreak points. The Jay- it merely re-emphasized the gap starting with the offensive line. certainly help Jones. ness show Friday, seemed pretty ‘The result was a 79-65 win for the hawks, by comparison, scored 11. that now exists between them and ‘The Chiefs’ O-line, led by former It’s been a boost to Hurts, and Sooners, snapping a seven-game Tt also had a boost on the Sooners’ the Patriots. Patriots guard Joe Thuney, kept a others, who have hit another level pleased with the offseason thus skid in conference play and secur- overall shooting performance. The ‘Will new offensive coordinator Bill gimpy Mahomes clean all night. thanks to having a bevy of receiv- far, one he’s a had hand in shaping. ing a much-needed win against a Sooners shot 51 percent (25 of 49) O’Brien help close that gap? Given While the Eagles were touted as ing talent. The Patriots’ current “[ think bringing in Bill O'Brien ranked opponent. and 48 percent (11 of 23) from the his credentials, it’s hard to imag- having the best defensive line in group is decent, but it’s still lack- “[ thought the guys came out in the ing game-changing talent. has been a big plus for our fran- second half (and our) defense was 3-point line. ine he won't. football, Mahomes wasn’t sacked Ina game the Sooners won by 14, O'Brien will bring back compe- in the Super Bowl. He was rarely Perhaps Tyquan Thornton im- chise,” he said. “Im very excited really good,” Moser said. “They're those fast break points played a about our team for next year.” so hard to guard. They're really big ole. tency and creativity. He'll utilize hurried when he dropped back to proves in Year 2, Kendrick Bourne tricky to guard. There's a reason 3. Sooners win the turnover battle an offense that better suits Mac pass. looks more like the Bourne of He may be excited, but after why they're so good. I was proud Jones and his skill set, not to Give Mahomes a clean pocket, and 2021 and the tight ends become watching the Super Bowl, he clear- of our guys at how we fought back It's been a nagging issue all season mention the personnel around he's deadly. more ofa threat with O’Brien run- ly needs more than O’Brien to get after we got punched in the face. for the Sooners. Against the Wild- the quarterback, The Patriots, Jones needs to experience the ning the offense. But losing Jakobi We've seen us get snowballed in cats, it was a strength. however, still fall short in so many same type of protection, because Meyers in free agency won't help the offense on the same competi- recent games, and we didn’t (to- ‘The Sooners committed 11 turn- other significant offensive areas when he was facing a pass rush the cause. tive playing field with the league's night)” overs, tying their fewest amount both the Chiefs and Eagles excel, this past season, which was of- ‘And even if they re-sign Meyers, finest. The Patriots’ work is only Here's three takeaways from the in a conference game, while forc- namely quarterback, offensive line ten, he turned into a puddle. The they still need more. getting started. Sooners bounce back win over the ing Kansas State into 14 turn- Wildcats: overs. The Sooners also won 18-11 1 Tanner Groves shakes off slump, in points scored off of turnovers. leads Sooners on both ends Prior to the Kansas State match- It was a bounce back effort for the Sooners, who committeda season- OU men’s gymnastics: Sooners post season- up, it had been a rough four-game high 24 turnovers in last Satur- stretch for the veteran big man. day's loss to Kansas. Groves recorded per-game aver- Freshman guard Otega Oweh, who best score, take down No. 1 Stanford ages of seven points and five re- made his third start of the season, bounds during that span. led the way with two steals. He Against the Wildcats, he stepped leads the Sooners in steals this Jesse Crittenden, The Norman Transcript ing to be fine,” Oklahoma head coach Mark Wil- which Williams referred to as “one of the best up. season with 26. liams said in a press release. routines” ever done by an OU gymnast, lead- Groves was active on both ends, Up next: The Sooners head to Tex- With No. 1 Stanford in town, the second- “Get the crowd behind you, get the energy go- ing the Sooners to a season-high 71.250 on the finishing with 16 points and 6 re- as fora 1 p.m. tipoff. The game will ranked Sooners needed to bring their best. ing in the building, and that's what we ended bounds to go with 2 steals and a be broadcast on ESPN+. That's exactly what they did. up doing. It was really fun to watch the last event. blocks. His scoring output tied his The Longhorns won the first event. Every guy that went stuck his landing They came away with event wins in pommel ‘The Sooners posted a team score of 418,900, season high in a conference game. matchup, 70-69, in Norman. their best since 2019, defeating Stanford and we finished out strong.” horse, floor exercise (70.700) and high bar It was the kind of performance Jesse Crittenden is the sports edi- (413.800) and No. 11 William & Marry It was a big win for the Sooners, who avenged (68.450). OU gymnasts tallied 15 season-best that Groves, and the Sooners, sim- tor of The Transcript and covers (380.750) on Saturday at McCasland Field their narrow loss to Stanford in last year’s na- individual scores, and set or matched 10 indi- ply needed. OU athletics. Reach him at jesse@ House. tional championship “T thought he played with un- normantranscript.com or at 405- “I felt like we had to be at our best because we ‘The Sooners were led by Zach Nunez’ 83.550 vidual career highs. believable passion,” Moser said. 366-3580 were going against the best, and I just told the score in the all-around. Freshman Ignacio ‘The Sooners will be back in action on Friday at guys to put up your personal best and we're go- Yockers scored a 15.100 on pommel horse, Nebraska. Sooners win fifth straight Metroplex OU women’s basketball: Three takeaways from Challenge the Sooners’ 85-68 win over Kansas State Tesse Crittenden, The Norman lead after the first event, with the Tarik Masri, The Norman Tran- was short-lived as the Sooners on 8-13 shooting and eight re- The Sooners finished the game Transcript Sooners posting a 49.375 on vault. script would go on to outscore Kansas bounds. It was the 10th time shooting 33% from behind the ‘The Sooners took back the lead on State 24-11 over the final 7 min- Scott has finished in double fig- arc. Joens was the only Sooner 3Intering the final event, Oklaho- the second event after tying their Oklahoma senior forward Madi utes of the third quarter. ures this season and the second that was able to hit outside shots na found itself in a rare position, season high on bars (49.675). Williams made an uncharacter- Oklahoma ran away with an 85- time she’s led the team in points. with any consistency, going Ihe top-ranked Sooners weren't in ‘The Sooners received five individu- istic mistake, passing to Taylor 68 win over Kansas State to ex- Madi Williams wasn’t far be- three-for-three from deep in the he lead, trailing No. 11 Alabama al scores of 9.9 or better. Robertson from the top of the tend its winning streak to four hind Scott with 16 points on third quarter alone. vy .025. To win its fifth straight It also ties the Sooners’ sixth-best key. games. 8-10 shooting, four rebounds The Sooners still managed to netroplex challenge, the Sooners score in program history on the Robertson was heavily covered, Here are three takeaways from and three assists. Aubrey Joens shoot 53% from the field behind reeded a stellar outing on floor. event. and Kansas State's Jaelyn Glenn the Sooners’ win: (11 points) and Ana Llanusa (10 44 points in the paint. Kansas They got just what they needed, Alabama regained the lead after easily stole the pass and took it 1. Scott leads the way points) gave the Sooners four State shot 32% from the field and coring a season-high 49.675 on the third event, with the Sooners the other way for a layup. After It wasa back-and-forth first quar- double-digit scorers in the game. had just 20 points in the paint. Joor and edging out the Crimson scoring a 49.400 on beam. leading by as many as 17 in the ter before Liz Scott caught fire of- 2. Overcoming poor outside 3, Limiting Gregory Cide for the win Saturday night in Individually, the Sooners came second half of Sunday's game, the fensively to help the Sooners take shooting One of the biggest keys to the Fort Worth, Texas. away with the top score on all four Sooners’ lead had shrunk to 11 a 16-point lead into halftime. While Scott was making three- Wildcats’ success this season has The Sooners posted a team score events. They were led by Jordan points behind a 6-0 Kansas State Scott scored four of the team’s point-plays the old-fashioned been the playmaking skills of of 198.125, defeating Alabama Bowers, who scored a career-best run. final six points as the Sooners way, the Sooners were struggling Gabby Gregory, 198.000), No. 16 Arkansas 39.750 to win her third all-around ‘The Sooners inbounded the ball would finish the first half on an to knock down 3-pointers the The former Oklahoma transfer 197.125) and No. 24 Stanford title this year. quickly to Williams, who took the 8-2 run. ‘The senior forward hit way they have all season. put up big numbers on Sunday, 196.725). ‘The Sooners will be back in action ball back to the top of the key. four-of-five shots in the second The Sooners were 2-10 from be- but the Sooners didn’t allow ‘Alabama had an amazing meet next Sunday at Texas Women’s This time when a Kansas State and entered halftime as the Soon- hind the arc in the first half and Gregory to take over the game. ind we had to fight with every- University. The meet begins at 2 defender jumped out to defend a ers’ leading scorer with 12 points. sharpshooting guard Taylor Rob- ‘The senior guard scored a game- hing in us on floor,” OU head pn, pass to the wing, Williams pump Twice in the second half Scott ertson didn't have a 3-point at- high 24 points on 6-19 shooting ‘oach K.J. Kindler said. “I loved to Jesse Crittenden is the sports edi- faked the pass and hit Kennady was fouled going up for a layup tempt until the second half. Rob- and was two of seven from be- see that heart.” tor of The Transcript and covers Tucker on a back door cut for a and got the shot to fall for a ertson’s first make came with just hind the arc with six rebounds the lead went back and forth be- OU athletics. Reach him at jesse@ wide open layup. three-point-play. 7:45 left in the game, to extend and three assists. ween Alabama and the Sooners. normantranscript.com or at 405- ‘The momentum the Wildcats had Scott came two points shy of her Big 12 record of games with It’s the 15th time Gregory has the Crimson Tide took an early 366-3580 gained in front of their home fans her career high with 20 points at least one triple, finished with 20 points or more.