Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma Sooners, 12-1-18: In-game report
2 min readThe Oklahoma Sooners were able to get revenge for a loss against Texas earlier in the season by defeating their Red River foe in the Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma used an efficient offense and an opportunistic defense to win 39-27 and clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff in the process. DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:
33 Gary Johnson (6’0 230) Texas LB-Senior
Johnson literally jumps out of nowhere to make plays. The senior linebacker is able to contort his body, get really low and explode past offensive linemen to make plays in the backfield. Johnson had a third and goal tackle for loss on the Sooners first possession after he blew past the Sooners linemen to stuff the play in the backfield. Johnson also impressed with his hustle to the football. After Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb caught a curl route and took it 50 yards downfield, Johnson snuck up behind him and poked the ball loose, turning what would’ve been a massive play for Oklahoma into a turnover for Texas. Johnson’s pursuit to the football will catch the eyes of scouts, but he will have to work on shedding blocks once he is engaged.
2 Kris Boyd (6’0 195) Texas CB-Senior
Boyd is a technician at cornerback. His ability to mirror receivers and play off of their motions is NFL-quality. The senior cornerback has had a pass deflection in all but two games this season. Boyd had another pass deflection when he mirrored Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown on a fade route and then brought his hands through Brown’s hands to knock the ball away at the last second. Boyd is also a willing tackler on the outside. Look for a team, who is looking for man-to-man corners to target Boyd in this year’s draft.
2 CeeDee Lamb (6’2 189) Oklahoma WR-Sophomore
The Sooners star receiver is a fluid route runner, who also has excellent hands in traffic. Regardless of his slight build, Lamb has shown the willingness to extend his body and leave himself susceptible to shots to his ribs. The sophomore receiver can make big plays as a receiving option on screens or he can make plays for others as a lead blocker on bubble screens to other receivers like he did in the first half against Texas. Lamb caught a touchdown over the middle to bring the Sooners within one point of the Longhorns in the second quarter. Despite his fumble, Lamb was productive, finishing with six catches for 167 yards and a touchdown.