OU journal: Tight end Mark Andrews is expected to play Saturday against Tulane.
Oklahoma’s 31-16 win over Ohio State on Saturday was made even more impressive by the fact that the Sooners played for almost three full quarters without tight end Mark Andrews.
Andrews suffered an injury to his left knee early in the second quarter and did not return, though he remained on the sideline and came out after halftime without an ice pack on his knee.
But it doesn’t appear as if Andrews’ injury will keep him out of action any further, as Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said Monday that he expected Riley to play this weekend when the Sooners host Tulane.
“Mark’s good,” Riley said. “We think Mark will play this week. He’s doing well, improving quickly.”
Two other players who were injured in that game, though, could be out longer.
Left guard Cody Ford, who made his first start since breaking his leg in last season’s game against Ohio State, is day-to-day, as is safety Will Johnson.
The Sooners had Ben Powers, who had started every game since Ford’s injury last year, ready to go at guard, though they were forced to use freshman Robert Barnes in Johnson’s place.
Brown moving up
A big focus of the pregame hype coming into Saturday’s game was the Oklahoma offensive line — especially left tackle OrlandoBrown — against the Buckeyes’ defensive front.
Not only was the matchup important for the Sooners’ success in that game but individually, it was a chance for Brown to prove he belongs as a high pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Brown came through with flying colors.
“The way he played Saturday night, he could be a top-five pick,” Kiper wrote. “Now, he needs to show that same level all season — but he’s going to move into my Big Board this week. And the best thing? He’s a left tackle all the way. NFL teams won’t have to worry about moving him to the right side. He’s trending toward the top tackle spot for the 2018 draft.”
Mayfield named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Two weeks, two games, two Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The redshirt senior picked up the award after Saturday’s 31-16 win against then-No. 2 Ohio State where he completed 27 of 35 passes — including 14 in a row to close the game — for 386 yards and three touchdowns.
Mayfield didn’t throw an interception against Ohio State this year, a big improvement from the game a year ago when he threw two.
The quarterback helped OU post 490 total yards — the most Ohio State had given up in 34 games.
Mayfield’s been named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week five times, with four of those honors coming at Oklahoma.
Sooners stay loose after win
Fullback Dimitri Flowers came up to the podium to kick off Oklahoma’s Monday news conference with a plate of food.
“I love me some nachos,” Flowers said as he finished off a big bite of chips and cheese and got ready for questions.
After the big win over the Buckeyes, the Sooners remained plenty loose two days later.
Cornerback Jordan Thomas shared some laughs when he talked about defensive coordinator Mike Stoops’ demeanor leading up to the game against Ohio State.
“Mike’s Mike,” Thomas said. “He’s a high-energy guy, so even in practice he’s yelling but at the same time he’s coaching. Obviously we can dissect that now. He’s just passionate about the game and yeah, he’s fidgety, spastic Mike, which is awesome. I love it. I love it wholeheartedly. I love everything about it.”
Sooners earn FWAA National Team of the Week honors
It wasn’t a real surprise after they beat the No. 2 team on the road, but the Sooners are the Football Writers Association of America’s National Team of the Week for their performance against Ohio State.
OU’s 490 yards were the most given up by the Buckeyes in 34 games, and Mayfield had the best passing day by an opponent in the Horseshoe since 1985.
OU-Baylor kickoff time announced
The game time for the Sooners’ Sept. 23 Big 12 opener at Baylor was announced Monday.
Oklahoma will kick off against the Bears at 5:30 p.m., with the game being televised on FS1.