Sun Sep 15 10:45:40 UTC 2024: ## Oklahoma Escapes Tulane Scare, But Offense Still a Concern Ahead of Tennessee Clash

**Norman, Oklahoma** – The Oklahoma Sooners emerged victorious against the Tulane Green Wave on Saturday, but a shaky offensive performance has left them with plenty to work on before their SEC debut against Tennessee next week.

Despite building a 21-0 lead early in the game, the Sooner offense struggled to maintain momentum in the second half. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, while displaying flashes of brilliance, also made some critical mistakes, including a pick-six interception. The offensive line, though improved from last week, still missed key blocks, leading to negative plays and stalled drives.

“There was a lot of really good in this game,” said head coach Brent Venables, “But there were some things that were right on course for some of the things that have taken place this season.”

While the Sooners ultimately secured a 34-19 victory, the struggles in the second half have raised concerns about their offensive readiness for a Tennessee team ranked No. 13 nationally.

“The next step is when we lose a little bit of momentum throughout some of these drives, we’ve gotta bounce back a little quicker,” admitted offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. “We got a little hesitant, and that’s something we’ll grow through.”

Adding to the anxieties was a series of questionable game management decisions, including a delay-of-game penalty on a successful field goal attempt and missed opportunities to run out the clock in the second half.

The Sooners’ run game also showed signs of inconsistency, leaving the majority of the offensive burden on Arnold’s shoulders. While freshman running back Taylor Tatum showcased his potential with two touchdowns, the team averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.

With the highly anticipated “College GameDay” visit to Norman for the Tennessee matchup, the Sooners are under pressure to improve their offensive performance.

“We’ve just got to come out there, can’t be behind the sticks, can’t beat yourself, can’t beat OU,” said receiver Deion Burks. “Honestly, just making your routine plays.”

Despite the concerns, Venables and his staff remain optimistic, emphasizing the youthfulness of the team and the potential for growth. “It’s a grind, they responded this week well, we’re far from perfect,” said Littrell. “We have so much and a lot of different areas to improve on and learn and grow from, but it’s a young group, a lot of inexperienced guys that are getting that experience and starting to make some plays.”

The Sooner faithful will be hoping for a more consistent offensive performance when they host Tennessee next Saturday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

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