Sooners to watch: Sategna, Powers Key in Red River Shootout vs, Texas

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Red River week has officially begun and it’s time to meet this version of the Sooners. It’s been a frustrating start to the season but they don’t lack talent. Oklahoma has offensive playmakers that can change games if given the chance and a stout defense as always. 

Here are the six Sooners that could change the game: 

Oklahoma SoonersWR Isaiah Sategna 

If Oklahoma comes out on top Saturday, Sategna’s fingerprints will be all over it. He leads the Sooners in receptions(20), receiving yards(267) and TDs(2). He’s capable of scoring anytime he touches the ball, on offense or special teams. He has a catch of over 30 yards in three of the Sooners four games, including a 53-yard TD against New Mexico. In the opener against UTEP, he logged a receiving and punt return TD. If the Longhorns allow No. 1 space to work, it could easily result in six points.

Oklahoma SoonersTE Rocky Beers 

The only other consistent receiving threat for the Sooners has been Rocky Beers. The Colorado State transfer brings elite size(6’5”, 240lbs), blocking and great receiving skills. He’s averaging 14.2 yards/catch, including a highlight reel 40-yard TD vs. UTEP that finished with a hurdle. He’ll stress the Texas LBs in coverage more than any TE Texas has played yet. They’ll need to be up for the challenge. 

Oklahoma SoonersDB Reggie Powers 

This is one of the most dynamic players for Oklahoma. Powers currently ranks 3rd in tackles(16), 2nd in sacks(2) and 2nd in pass defended(2) for the Sooners. Arch Manning will have to locate No. 3 before each and every snap because he can attack from anywhere on the field. The Sooners defense is loaded with NFL talent but Powers could present the most wide-ranging issues for the Texas offense. 

Oklahoma SoonersDL Jayden Jackson 

One of the strongest position groups for Oklahoma(and in the entire SEC) is their defensive line. On the interior, they are led by David Stone and Jayden Jackson. Jackson checks in at 310lbs and is one of the best run stuffers in the country. On top of that, he’s logged 0.5 sack thus far this season, after logging 5 in his first two seasons. He’s capable of wrecking this game if Connor Robertson, Dylan Sikorski and Brandon Baker let him. 

Oklahoma SoonersLB Owen Heinecke 

Every Brent Venables defense has a smart, experienced, tackling machine at MLB. This season, it’s Owen Heinecke. He leads the Sooners in tackles with 27, 10 more than anyone else. He has a nose for the football and does a great job as a communicator in the middle of the Oklahoma defense. When it comes to the on-field chess match, it will be Arch Manning vs. Owen Heinecke. No. 38 will log tackles but can the Texas offense keep him from changing the game? 

Oklahoma SoonersK Tate Sandell 

Nearly every Red River, the kicking game plays a major factor. Cameron Dicker etched his name into history with a game-winning kick in 2018. That was an underdog Texas knocking off the top-tier Oklahoma. If this is a close game late, Texas might have the single best weapon in the country. Sandell is just 3-for-5 this season, missing both kicks beyond 40 yards, however went 43-for-50 in the previous two seasons. He’s a true weapon and Texas can’t give him a chance to join Dicker in Red River history.

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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Sooners to watch: Sategna, Powers Key in Red River Shootout vs, Texas

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