No. 15 Oklahoma looks to build momentum while Houston tries to recover from dispiriting opener

Published Sep. 5, 2024 1:08 p.m. ET

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NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Houston coach Willie Fritz preferred to find positives in the Cougars' 27-7 home loss to UNLV to open the season.

He acknowledged that his offense couldn't protect the quarterback and the defense struggled to stop the run in his debut as Houston's coach, but he saw some things to build on.

“There were some guys who played well,” he said. “Not a whole lot of guys played well throughout the whole ballgame, but there were bits and pieces of some really good play in there."

Houston is going to need more than bits and pieces against No. 15 Oklahoma.

The Sooners are coming off a dominant defensive performance in a 51-3 rout of Temple that featured six takeaways, six sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold threw four touchdown passes against Temple in his first home start, including three to Purdue transfer WR Deion Burks.

Sooners coach Brent Venables isn't taking anything for granted against Houston, telling reporters that Fritz's former Tulane teams went 10-0 in true road games over the last two years “so he knows how to get his guys ready.”

Under Fritz in 2021, the Green Wave nearly toppled Oklahoma as a 31 1/2-point underdog, losing 40-35 to the second-ranked Sooners after turning the ball over on downs near midfield in the final minutes.

“Coach Fritz and his staff are really known for being well-coached and incredibly disciplined, patient," Venables said. "Gonna play a tight game, try to get it to the fourth quarter, try to possess the ball, run it a variety of ways and take their shots. And excellent in the kicking game. Really, really good.

Houston has a seasoned signal caller in senior Donovan Smith. He completed just 15 of 30 passes for 135 yards and two interceptions against UNLV, but Venables considers him dangerous. Venables said the Cougars are capable of putting things together.

“A big, strong running back, and again, long, explosive receivers and tight ends," he said. "So, ought a be a good matchup and certainly a step up from where we were a week ago.”

Chart toppers

After one game, Oklahoma leads the nation in fumbles recovered (4) and turnovers gained (6). Individually, freshman defensive lineman Markus Strong FBS with two solo sacks, which he achieved on the last two plays vs. Temple.

More injuries

Jalil Farooq, the Sooners' most experienced pass catcher, broke his foot against Temple and will require surgery. Venables said he expects Farooq to miss at least six weeks. He is the latest receiver to suffer an injury, joining Jayden Gibson, who is out for the season with a knee injury, and Nic Anderson, who missed the opener with an undisclosed injury. “Nic will be back sooner rather than later,” Venables said.

Starting center Branson Hickman, a transfer from SMU, sprained his ankle in the first quarter and missed the rest of game. Hickman is improving, but Venables did not say if would play.

Homecoming

Two former Sooners will return to Norman as starters for Houston. LB Jamal Morris, a senior from Houston, led the Cougars with seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, against UNLV. DB Latrell McCutchin Sr., a junior from Austin, Texas, recorded three tackles against the Rebels.

Newcomers

Twelve Oklahoma players made their first starts for the Sooners against Temple, including seven on offense. Kicker Tyler Keltner, a Florida State transfer, was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. He was perfect in his debut, connecting on field goals of 50, 42 and 24 yards and all six extra point tries.

Triple threat

Fritz said Houston could play three quarterbacks. Smith, Louisiana transfer Zeon Chriss and Ui Ale all played against UNLV.

Ale completed 7 of 8 passes for 74 yards and Houston's lone touchdown, while Chriss played sparingly and didn't throw a pass.

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