Sooner defense is looking to ‘change culture’

NORMAN — Redshirt freshman safety Justin Broiles was a part of last year’s team that lost to Iowa State, 38-31, but wasn’t playing.

This season, he’s a part of the reason why Oklahoma’s defense — though it’s just through two games — has played better.

Broiles said the closeness of the defensive backs is part of the reason for the turnaround so far.

“Everybody felt that everybody was just tired of everybody talking about how OU was known for offense,” Broiles said. “As soon as we got back on campus in January, it was time to go to work and time to change the culture.”

Broiles wouldn’t go into specifics on what made the Sooners’ defense struggle last season, though.

“No comment,” the John Marshall product said.

Broiles did say players are having more fun this time around.

“Play fun,” Broiles said of the reasons behind the added energy. “We all playing football, you know? I think last year, everybody kinda got away from it. Everybody kinda just looked at it like, it is the way it is when everybody wasn’t really competing last year. This year, football is fun when you’re competing against your brothers and you know you can compete at a high level with them.”

Everybody felt that everybody was just tired of everybody talking about how OU was known for offense,” Broiles said. “As soon as we got back on campus in January, it was time to go to work and time to change the culture.”

Redshirt freshman safety Justin Broiles

Montgomery a focus for OU’s defense

Last season, Iowa State’s David Montgomery had 144 yards of total offense in the Cyclones’ win.

Montgomery ran for 44 yards last week in Iowa State’s loss to Iowa.

“I’ve studied him for the last three days, and he’s definitely a really good jump cut guy,” linebacker Kenneth Murray said. “Obviously, he runs extremely hard. It usually takes a couple guys to bring him down. … He has great wiggle. He can get in and out of his cuts and stuff like that. He also has power. It’s gonna be exciting to get out there and go against them.”

Barnes returns to practice

Sophomore safety Robert Barnes returned to practice Tuesday after missing the UCLA game.

Barnes had three tackles and an interception in the season opener against Florida Atlantic.

Barnes has struggled to remain healthy during his year-plus with the Sooners.

Sermon takes on leadership

With Rodney Anderson going down with a seasonending knee injury, the Sooners are down a big leadership voice on the offensive side.

Anderson was one of two offensive captains, joined by guard Ben Powers.

While Anderson remains engaged with the team, sophomore running back Trey Sermon said he’ll have to take on more of the leadership role.

“I think I do have to step up to that role,” Sermon said. “Rodney is still there leading us and talking to us. But I think it will be good for me to step up and do it as well.”

Quotable

Kyler Murray, Sooners quarterback:

“It’s never as bad as you think it is, it’s never as good as you think it is. But I believe good enough will get you beat against better teams later on.”