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FORT WORTH, Texas — OU’s Armed Forces Bowl matchup with Navy is one of the more intriguing showdowns of bowl season.
It is Navy’s first bowl against an SEC opponent since the 1950s and a matchup of the Midshipmen’s triple option against the program where the option flourished for decades.
It features Blake Horvath, one of the top running quarterbacks in the nation, against a freshman now forced into service after starter Jackson Arnold transferred to Auburn.
It also has Navy’s coach, Brian Newberry, coaching against the team he grew up rooting for.
The game also has the Sooners trying to avoid just their second losing season of their last 26th while Navy tries to win 10 or more games for just the sixth time in program history.
Here are a closer look at the matchups in Friday’s game:
More: From Baker Mayfield to Ben Arbuckle, why John Mateer is transferring to OU football
When OU runs the ball: Will Xavier Robinson carry the load?
Oklahoma Sooners running back Xavier Robinson (21) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Oklahoma won 24-3.
Just six weeks or so ago, it looked like Xavier Robinson was destined to redshirt.
But the freshman from Carl Albert emerged late — thanks to Taylor Tatum’s fumbling issues, Jovantae Barnes’ health and Gavin Sawchuk’s ineffectiveness.
Robinson, Tatum, Sawchuk and Sam Franklin are all listed as co-starters at running back in the depth chart ahead of the game.
Robinson has clearly been the most effective, though, averaging 4.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns.
Tatum’s yards per carry are slightly higher (5.1) but he has struggled with ball security.
Freshman quarterback…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ou-football-vs-navy-inside-111728188.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2024-12-26 11:17:00
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