Coordinator Grinch calls out OU ‘D’
NORMAN – Every team needs a Grinch.
Oklahoma’s defense stopped everything but the clock during its 76-0 blowout win over Western Carolina on Saturday, holding the FCS squad to just 178 total yards of offense and forcing three takeaways.
But there were no festivities on the watch of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who called out numerous players during Tuesday’s weekly media session.
Grinch began with Sooners’ defensive linemen and linebackers.
“Any time a guy’s a returning player, we expect to see a different dude than you were the year before,” Grinch said. “And thus far, I don’t see a different Brian Asamoah, I don’t see a different David Ugwoegbu, I don’t see a different DaShaun White... I haven’t seen a different Pat Fields. I haven’t seen a different Perrion Winfrey, in my opinion. I haven’t seen a different Isaiah Thomas.”
Grinch then continued by calling out the Sooners’ cornerbacks.
“We just haven’t had a lot of production in the cornerback room these first few weeks,” Grinch said. “Whether it’s Joshua Eaton or DJ (Graham)... (Graham) played last year, so we expect a different DJ Graham. I’m not seeing anything different out of DJ Graham just yet... I don’t want to see Jaden Davis from 2020. I want to see Jaden Davis from 2021.”
There weren’t many defensive players who didn’t hear their name called on Tuesday, but Grinch’s words should be seen as a challenge rather than shots fired.
The Sooners’ defense has made strides every year under the three-year defensive coordinator, and he expects nothing less in 2021.
“That bar’s got to go up, and it’s our job as coaches to get them there,” Grinch said. “It doesn’t mean it’s bad. But you know, what’s the standard?... It should be better than it was last year.”
Running back relief
Few positions had as many question marks surrounding it as the running back spot for OU entering the season.
With the departure of LSU transfer Tre Bradford and the ineligibility of Marcus Major, the Sooners’ ground game consisted of just two scholarship players by the time Week 1 rolled around.
But OU is making it work.
Atop the list of contributors is Kennedy Brooks, a redshirt junior running back who opted out of last season but is averaging a team-high 67.5 rushing yards and one touchdown per game in 2021.
“It’s honestly pretty impressive what (Brooks) has done just watching him,” Riley said. “With that much time off away from the game, away from the practice field and all that, it’s been good to see him get back in the flow... He’ll continue to improve as he gets carries going forward.”
Eric Gray is also finding his way. The Tennessee transfer struggled in his OU debut against Tulane but bounced back in Week 2 by recording 94 total yards and one touchdown.
“(Gray) trusted it more,” Riley said. “He trusted the line, where it was supposed to hit. I thought he ran more decisive, made a couple big plays obviously... He wasn’t awful in the first game, but there was definitely some improvement there.”
The Sooners are expected to lean heavily on Brooks and Gray this season, but walk-on running backs Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson should also get their fair share of chances.
Knowles racked up 102 total yards of offense and two touchdowns against Western Carolina, while Hudson tallied 25 rushing yards and two scores of his own.
“They both did a good job the other night,” Riley said. “(They) made a couple plays, ran hard with the ball, ball security... I thought they saw everything well. Yeah, we’re going to need those guys at some point this year. I can’t tell you when it’s going to be, but we’re going to need them.”
Ahead of schedule
When Latrell McCutchin committed to OU on July 4, 2020, he joined a defense that was only two years removed from being ranked last in the FBS in passing defense.
Even then, the four-star recruit had big plans for his time with the Sooners.
“I feel like I can be the one to change the culture,” McCutchin said in an interview with Jason Kersey of The Athletic. “I could’ve went to any of the big defensive back powerhouses... but I want to help change the way OU plays defense.”
Now a freshman at OU, McCutchin isn’t wasting any time carving out a role.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback made his first career start in just his second game with the team on Saturday. Despite only finishing the day with one solo tackle to his name, Grinch believes the future is bright for the young prospect.
“Our expectation for him is to have an impact,” Grinch said. “In so many ways, he’s ahead of schedule in that way... We’re excited about Latrell.”
Injury updates
Riley confirmed on Tuesday that sophomore wide receiver Brian Darby is out for this weekend’s contest.
The Sooners shot caller also said that redshirt sophomore cornerback Woodi Washington is doubtful, and several other players are questionable.
Those players likely include Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, who each got nicked up against Western Carolina. Bowman suffered what looked to be a hamstring injury on the opening drive, while Stutsman sustained an arm injury in the fourth quarter.
Ongoing injuries include junior wide receiver Theo Wease (leg), redshirt junior cornerback Ryan Peoples (ankle) and redshirt freshman long snapper Ethan Lane (knee).