Skidding Oklahoma looks to keep focus in meeting vs. Maine

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th October, 09:43 2024

Oct 26, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables watches during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables wasn't asked much directly about his team's matchup with FCS opponent Maine during his Tuesday press conference.

"I could brag on Maine," Venables said. "They've got 17 graduates. What does that mean? They've got a lot of experience. Nobody cares. We're focused on Oklahoma, like we always have been."

Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Sooners (4-4) figure to need the win on Saturday afternoon when they meet the Black Bears (4-4) in Norman, Okla.

Oklahoma will finish the regular season with a trio of games against now-ranked Southeastern Conference counterparts Missouri, Alabama and LSU.

The Sooners have struggled offensively, averaging just 116.5 rushing yards per game and 292.3 yards of total offense -- ranking near the bottom in FBS in both categories.

Oklahoma also has given up 39 sacks, tied for the second-most in program history and closing in on the record of 41, set in 2015.

"We've gotta be better," Venables said of the Sooners' offensive line. "We've gotta know the snap count, get off on the snap count."

Oklahoma's offensive line could look different against Maine.

Jacob Sexton, who has started every game this season at either left tackle or left guard, will be out after sustaining an ankle injury in last week's 26-14 loss to then-No. 18 Ole Miss. Starting tackle Jake Taylor could be out for the second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury as well.

Venables said freshman Isaiah Autry-Dent, who has yet to play this season, could break into the lineup against Maine.

The Black Bears are looking for their fifth win against an FBS opponent and their first since beating UMass in 2021. Maine has shown improvement after back-to-back 2-9 seasons in Jordan Stevens' first two seasons at the helm.

"We're going to go compete," Stevens said. "That's our mindset. We've got to have a great week of practice and ... go down there and just let it rip and play football and compete."

Carter Peevy threw for 279 yards and a touchdown in Maine's 24-14 setback at Rhode Island last Saturday. Montigo Moss had nine catches for 80 yards.

--Field Level Media

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