Back to the basics
As opposed to previous years, the first half of Oklahoma’s spring game Saturday will be played in a traditional format with the usual scoring system.
NORMAN — Oklahoma’s spring game this year is just that: a spring game. At least for a half.
Though the Sooners have experimented with unconventional scoring systems in the past, the first half of this year’s scrimmage will be played in a traditional format with the usual scoring system.
“I think our fans can come and follow it just like they would in a game, get some of the exciting situations and competitive situations that you really want,” coach Lincoln Riley said after Tuesday’s practice. “And it’s adding for our recruits in that it’s going to create a better atmosphere, be more game-like.”
The move is also making practice pretty competitive in the days leading up to Saturday’s scrimmage.
“It’s created a little bit of buzz throughout the building,” Riley said. “They’re starting to talk smack back and forth a little bit.”
Though Baker Mayfield,
OU’s most notorious trash talker, isn’t on the team anymore, there’s still plenty of quality chatter.
Most of the chirping is coming from OU’s secondary, led by rising junior Parnell Motley. Up front, defensive lineman Neville Gallimore is giving his teammates-turned-opponents an earful.
But the defensive guys aren’t the only ones doing the talking.
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown have been some of the primary offensive offenders, exchanging barbs with the defense.
Sooners motivated by meals
The stakes — or possibly steaks — of this year’s spring game have been raised.
The first half of the game will be played like a true scrimmage, with the Sooners split into two teams.
After that half, a winning team and a losing team will be declared, and the winners will get a pretty sweet treat.
“We’ve got a little meal planned for the winners and the losers after it,” Riley said. “So they’re pretty excited for the competitive nature of it.”
Riley isn’t revealing the menus for each group, but the two squads are still plenty motivated to avoid the losers’ spread.
“For the big boys, you know, it’s a big deal to us,” offensive lineman Bobby Evans said. “We don’t want to eat whatever they’ve got planned, because we don’t know what it is. But we’re trying to get the good meal.”
So what would Evans want to eat if he got to pick?
“Maybe some steaks or something,” he said. “I’d like a steak.”
Sermon excited to play for Peterson
Trey Sermon grew up watching Adrian Peterson.
On Saturday, OU's rising sophomore running back will get to play for one of the best backs to ever come through the program.
As a member of the White team for the spring game, Sermon’s honorary coach is Peterson.
“He’s always been one of my favorite running backs,” Sermon said. “Just being around him and kind of learning from him, it’s going to be amazing.”
Peterson was also at last year’s spring game, but Sermon didn’t get a chance to meet him. This time, he’s going to make sure to get an introduction and show off some of his moves for the former Oklahoma star.