With the absences of Danny Stutsman and Gentry Williams, Oklahoma relied on the assistance of its defensive backups final Saturday.

And, regardless of shedding to Oklahoma State 27-24, the Sooners’ protection sustained a aggressive model of soccer with the likes of sophomore defensive again Robert Spears-Jennings and redshirt freshman linebacker Kobie McKinzie stepping of their place.

Spears-Jennings completed the sport with a game-high seven tackles and one cross breakup. McKinzie recorded seven whole tackles and one hit on Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman.

McKinzie felt like he was ready mentally and bodily to tackle Stillwater’s robust surroundings.

“From when I got in to when I got out, I knew their game plan really well,” McKinzie mentioned. “Coach Venables does a really good job of giving us those pointers of what they’re going to do, how to get to it and what they like to do.”

McKinzie largely performed rather than sophomore linebacker Jaren Kanak, who was out and in of the sport. Redshirt freshman linebacker Kip Lewis took snaps because the lead linebacker for Stutsman, who injured his ankle in OU’s 38-33 loss to Kansas.

Lewis led the staff and completed with a career-high 15 tackles, probably the most he’s had in a matchup since OU’s win over SMU. McKinzie and Lewis — regardless of just a few hiccups — have been in a position to talk all through the course of Bedlam, recognizing each audibles and performs OSU was attempting to run.

Oklahoma State ran a play that the protection known as “92” in the course of the loss. McKinzie screamed at Lewis earlier than the snap, as he was imagined to cowl OSU large receiver Brennan Presley close to the sideline.

Lewis left him open on the play, however it’s an indication of each McKinzie and Lewis’s development collectively in Venables’ complicated protection. The subsequent step for each is executing their defensive keys.

“Kip was supposed to have him,” McKinzie mentioned. “If you go back and watch the play, I’m like, yelling at Kip. (I was) like, ‘Bro, we ran that play so many times to that exact call.’ He didn’t play it right. But it was fun to live out those moments together for sure. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Saturday’s sport additionally supplied Spears-Jennings with studying alternatives rather than Williams, who exited the competition early after his proper shoulder popped out of socket. His spotlight of the competition got here when he sniffed out and stuffed Cowboys working again Ollie Gordon II on fourth-and-1 with 10:57 remaining within the third quarter.

Spears-Jennings was given the inexperienced mild by Venables to blitz, so he knew he couldn’t miss Gordon on the run. In every play, the sophomore defensive again was attempting one of the best he might to construct belief along with his teammates.

“I feel great being out there with the guys,” Spears-Jennings mentioned.”(That) is an enormous, historic sport. I actually simply need to do one of the best for my staff. I do know all the blokes belief me, so I simply wished to offer them extra belief in myself.”

As Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) pivots to its matchup towards West Virginia (6-3, 4-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Norman, the performances of each Spears-Jennings and McKinzie present a optimistic for OU’s inconsistent protection.

If key gamers are harm, the pair proved OU head coach Brent Venables can depend on his aggressive depth to play at a excessive stage. Both are ready to carry the identical mindset if their numbers are referred to as once more.

“It’s gonna be just like last week,” McKinzie mentioned. “… We’re here for the challenge for sure. We step up to the plate every week, and I think we’re gonna continue to do that.”

This story was edited by Colton Sulley.