ORLANO, FL — Thursday’s Cheez-It Bowl served as a soft opener for Oklahoma’s offense in 2023.
Withdrawals and injuries propelled the youngsters into the spotlight in OU’s 35-32 loss to the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles in Orlando, providing a glimpse of what next year could look like. by Jeff Lebby unity.
Down four starters along the offensive line, Lebby and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh only had a handful of practices to prepare the youngsters in the trenches to face a talented Florida State defensive line.
Second year in red shirt Tyler Guyton and Aaryn Parks played the majority of the game at offensive tackle, while the redshirt freshman At Savion Byrd the assault stole the show from the Sooners guard.
As a result, Oklahoma was able to take the fight to the Seminole defensive front in the first half.
“I thought all those guys played hard,” Lebby said after the game. “We’re going to watch the tape and there’s going to be a lot of frustrating things, things that I’m going to want to get back.
“But those guys played incredibly hard all night against a unit that played really, really well.”
Play without star running back Eric Graya pair of real freshmen Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk were tasked with running behind the young offensive line.
Taking on more responsibility, the duo shone.
Barnes and Sawchuk combined to rush for 208 yards and two scores in what was Barnes’ first game as a feature and Sawchuk’s first substantial game action all season.
The duo are only expected to improve next season as they gain more experience and better understand how to attack opposition defences.
Even Barnes wasn’t happy with his 108-yard outing in Orlando.
“I feel like I did well,” Barnes said. “Obviously there is always room for improvement. There are a couple of things I missed. All around, I did a great job. Gavin and me. We both came out and showed off what we had.
“I’m proud of Gavin because this whole season he hasn’t really had a chance to shine. He’s done just that. I’m so proud of him for the way he’s done it.
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Andrew Raym will return to center to anchor new faces on the offensive line, and they’ll have the entirety of spring training and fall camp to gel before the Sooners kick off in 2023.
As the line continues to grow, OU’s pass protection should also improve over Cheez-It Bowl performance.
Florida State finished the contest with six sacks, rinsing the quarterback Dillon-Gabriel out of pocket a number of other times as well. Gabriel was able to use his feet, rushing 54 yards before the bag’s yardage was deducted from his total for the night.
“I think the O line played their ass in the direction of their effort,” Gabriel said. “These are guys who care and they fight for the opportunity that comes their way. I can respect that.
“In game time, things happen… but they kept fighting, no matter what.”
Five-star Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold is expected to bolster the Sooners’ depth at that position, allowing Gabriel to use his feet more in 2023.
When he could stay in the pocket and look down, Gabriel missed his favorite target at wide receiver Marvin Mims who was in and out of training against Florida State struggling with injury.
If Mims returns to Norman next year, the 1-2 punch he forms with Jalil Farooq should continue to carry the charge for Oklahoma in the passing game.
Former OU star Austin Stogner will return and slot into the Brayden Willis-sized void that will remain in midfield, and there will be opportunities for young talent in the wide receiver room to step up and earn more snaps between the likes of Jaquaize Pettaway, Gavin Freeman, Jayden Gibson, Nick Anderson and Keyon Brown.
Even without an entire offseason to invest snaps in those plays, the Sooners were able to score 32 points and total 496 yards against a Florida State defense that was firmly in the top 20 in total defense heading into the bowl season.
The Sooners will have to replace much of the offensive production next year, but their last act of 2022 showed the talent and promise Oklahoma will have on the roster in 2023.
“We showed a little preview,” Barnes said. “I can’t wait for next year.”
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