Guymon Daily Herald

No. 4 Oklahoma looks to regroup vs. Western Carolina

- By The Associated Press

Western Carolina (0-1) at No. 4 Oklahoma (1-0),

Sports PPV).

Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Oklahoma needs to bounce back after a close call against Tulane last Saturday. The Sooners led 37-14 at halftime before holding on to win 40-35. Coach Lincoln Riley said the Sooners need to focus on the process rather than the result. Quarterbac­k Spencer Rattler threw two intercepti­ons last week, and he needs a strong performanc­e to silence his critics. Oklahoma's defense needs to step up after giving up three touchdown passes to Tulane quarterbac­k Michael Pratt. KEY MATCHUP

Western Carolina QB Rogan Wells vs. Oklahoma's defensive line. Wells, a graduate transfer who played for Tusculum in the spring, passed for 275 yards and ran for 67 in the season-opening loss to Eastern Kentucky. He'll face one of the nation's most talented defensive fronts.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Western Carolina: RB T.J. Jones. He had 115 yards rushing and a touchdown and 31 yards receiving and a score in the opener. If he gets going, he could make things easier for Wells.

Oklahoma: RB Eric Gray. The transfer from Tennessee is poised for a breakout after netting 27 yards on nine carries in the opener. Riley said Gray just missed some openings and could have broken some long runs in the opener. FACTS & FIGURES

Western Carolina is 0-59 all-time against FBS teams . ... Kennedy Brooks moved from 30th to 24th on the Oklahoma career rushing chart last Saturday . ... Kerwin Bell is in his first season as Western Carolina's coach. He played quarterbac­k at Florida in the 1980s . ... Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims had five catches for 117 yards last week . ... Western Carolina WR Raphael Williams caught eight passes for 122 yards in the opener.

Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT (Bally

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