OU’s Mayfield won’t start home finale
Heisman contender facing discipline for antics vs. Kansas
NORMAN, OKLA. » Baker Mayfield’s on-the-field antics caught up with him this time.
Oklahoma’s senior quarterback will not start his final regular-season game Saturday at home against West Virginia after making a lewd gesture against Kansas. Coach Lincoln Riley also stripped Mayfield of his captain status for the game.
Riley made the announcementsMonday. Mayfield said he understood.
“I knew something needed to be done,” he said. “I put coach Riley in a terrible spot. It’s not a decision any coach wants to have to make, but it was necessary. It was a hard conversation because he wants the best forme. It’s tough. It was difficult and our relationship was the main reason why it was such a hard conversation to have.”
Riley teared up as he explained why Mayfield was so important to him. Mayfield started both years that Riley was offensive coordinator and finished fourth in the Heisman balloting in 2015 and third last season. In Riley’s first year as head coach this season, Mayfield has played well enough to be considered by many to be the leader in the Heisman race.
“Coming to this decision, this being his last game here — sure, it’s emotional,” Riley said. “He and I have been tied together here for a long time. I get to see behind the scenes what the guy does, the things that aren’t in front of the cameras that the public doesn’t get to see, and I see how valuable he is to this team, this program again, this university, this community. He’s tremendous.”
Kansas team captains did not shake hands with Mayfield before Saturday’s game. After getting slighted, Mayfield jawed with the Jayhawks and some fans seated behind the Oklahoma bench. He also grabbed his crotch and cursed the Kansas sideline from his bench during the third quarter of the Sooners’ 41-3 win that clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship game.
Mayfield has been in trouble before. He was arrested in Arkansas in February and charged with disorderly conduct, public intoxication and resisting arrest. The school ordered him to do 35 hours of community service and participate in an alcohol education program.
Mayfield also has a track record of doing things to annoy opponents. The past three years, he shaved his mustache into a horseshoe before playing Oklahoma State, representing a new sheriff in town. This season, he planted a crimson OU flag at the 50-yard line at Ohio State after a 31-16 victory. He told Baylor’s players he was their daddy and he was going to spank them before a 49-41 Oklahoma win.