OU football coach Brent Venables believes Sooners are 'fortunate' to win with RB depth
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NORMAN — OU football's running back depth has been a concern for some time now.
In last week's win over Missouri, the Sooners relied solely on the injured Xavier Robinson to carry the load on the ground. Last week, coach Brent Venables seemed to open the door to the possibility of other players being needed to help out, like perhaps Jaydn Ott or Taylor Tatum.
So, with true freshman Tory Blaylock and Robinson continuing to play through ailments, does Venables expect anyone else to be available this week against LSU?
"Taylor Tatum was, for the first time, healthy and available (last week)," Venables said. "So, he'll be somebody that'll be available along with, obviously, Jaydn Ott."
Tatum has battled injuries and has only appeared in one game this season. Ott, on the other hand, has been available but hasn't played since Oct. 18 against South Carolina.
Last season, it was the receivers that struggled to see the field. This year, the running backs have been inconsistently available.
"I would just say this: We've been fortunate enough to win despite that," Venables said. "So the guys that have been available have done a nice job for us."
The elephant in the room is Jovantae Barnes, who began the season as OU's starting running back.
Venables said following the Texas game that something happened pregame and they thought it was his hamstring, but that it was something else. He was listed as questionable on the first two availability reports last week, before being ruled out Friday night.
There's also been rumblings he's been holding out to preserve his redshirt. Venables was asked about Barnes' status Tuesday and he offered an introspective answer on the state of coaching in the modern era of college football.
"Every case is a case of its own, based on what that person has been and the body of work," Venables said. "Trying to navigate that appropriately just like you would with discipline in the moment or big discipline issues. We have a set of rules, but, again, how you treat everybody based on, again, maybe it’s a young guy so you give him more grace, an older guy, 'Man, you should know better,' things like that. That’s really the way dealing with it is based on, again, who they’ve been since they’ve been here.
"At the end of the day, we have a different environment that’s not the players’ fault, they have lots of different options now. I look at it with that lense as well, can’t blame guys for wanting a little more of this or that and looking out for their futures. I don’t think it’s necessarily a selfish trait, but we've created this environment that has some selfishness to it, again, from an environment standpoint. My job is to make sure that those things are not a distraction and people are contributing, working and showing up with a diligent mindset and work ethic. As long as those things are good, pretty kapish about all of it. (Jovantae) is in good standing."
Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle was also asked Tuesday about the dynamic of the running back position this season.
"At the end of the day, we have a lot talented guys in that room that have shown, in different spots, they're extremely capable, extremely talented and really good football players," Arbuckle said. "Situationally, throughout the flow of the game, you want to make sure you have the right guys in in these moments and that's what it comes down to ultimately."
Brent Venables calls QB John Mateer an 'alpha'
OU quarterback John Mateer stood in front of a swath of cameras Monday night and took full responsibility for the Sooners' offensive issues.
Mateer's accountability is one of the many traits Venables admires about his quarterback.
"He doesn't walk around like he's carrying all these heavy burdens," Venables said. "He's an alpha. He's somebody that runs towards that responsibility and what you've got to carry, the weight you've got to carry at that position. It brings out good qualities in him as a leader."
Mateer said Monday night he must be better at taking the easy stuff and that will help OU's offensive rhythm.
The Sooners attempted more deep shots in the passing game against Missouri, but Mateer missed on several throws. Arbuckle says it's a balance between taking what's there and staying aggressive.
"Taking the easy access," Arbuckle said, "the layups right there to keep us efficient, on schedule, and then manageable situations, that’s really a big key to staying on the field while also still being aggressive, and not being scared to take the ball downfield. We’ve got to connect on some of those opportunities too but it starts with taking the easy stuff, being efficient, getting the ball out of your hand and going on to the next play."
Brent Venables calls it 'an honor' to have coached 2022 class
When Venables arrived in Norman, he had his work cut out for him from a recruiting developmental standpoint.
But he's endured all of those challenges with the class of 2022 seniors, who will be honored Saturday during the LSU game.
"There’s no-quit in them, that's a group of guys that are incredibly close," Venables said. "They’re family. Their families are your family. You’ve gone through life the last four years with them. What an honor it is, incredible men that they’ve become through a lot of intentional effort and maturity. Just have great appreciation."
Players like defensive lineman Gracen Halton, tight end Jaren Kanak, defensive end R Mason Thomas, safety Robert Spears-Jennings and others have experienced all of the ups and downs with Venables in four seasons and have a unique opportunity against LSU on Saturday.
"There’s a football piece, a leadership piece, the quality of humans that they are," Venables said. "So all of those things, I’ve got a lot of admiration and respect and appreciation for them. Saturday’s another game. For me, my message to everybody else that’s in the locker room with ‘em, is doing their part to help these guys have an amazing, last regular season finale game experience. That’s really important."
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football's Brent Venables says Sooners are 'fortunate' to win with RB depth
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