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NORMAN — Jovantae Barnes was patient when he received a handoff from Jackson Arnold.
In the middle of the first quarter, OU football trailed Maine by a touchdown and needed a spark offensively. On the first play, Barnes waited for his blockers to get in position before making two Black Bear defenders miss with jukes. He was then free for what he thought was 75 yards to the end zone.
The play was initially called a touchdown but Barnes was ruled short at the 1-yard line.
“I still think it was a touchdown,” said Barnes, who two plays later punched in a 2-yard score. “They might say different. But it felt good to break one and just celebrate with my guys. … I was mad because I was like, ‘Just give me the touchdown.’ But to just go in there again and get it. It felt good.”
Barnes’ performance in the Sooners’ 59-14 win over Maine on Saturday felt extra special after a rollercoaster 2023 season when he dealt with a foot injury, starting just one game and rushing for one touchdown. Barnes put those past frustrations aside this season and has not only cemented himself as OU’s leading running back but also he’s found his voice as one of the Sooners’ unquestioned leaders on offense.
Barnes’ 203 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns were each career highs. He averaged 11.3 yards on his 18 carries.
More: OU football smashes Maine as Sooners move one win away from bowl eligibility | 5 takeaways
Oklahoma Sooners running back Jovantae Barnes (2) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver J.J. Hester (13) after a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Maine Black Bears at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
“It’s been awesome to see,” OU quarterback Jackson Arnold said. “Obviously I wasn’t here his freshman year when…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/did-jovantae-barnes-break-career-114622960.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-11-03 11:46:22
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