Brent Venables impressed by Florida's high-powered offense
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Brent Venables impressed by Florida's high-powered offense
Jaron Spor, Sooners Wire·Sooners Wire
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2 min read
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TheOklahoma Soonersare traveling to Gainesville, Fla. for the first time in program history. The Sooners will take on theFlorida Gators, coming off their worst defensive performance of the season.
The Sooners fell 42-25 to theSouth Carolina Gamecocksand gave up over 500 yards of offense. Florida comes into the game ranked No. 37 in total offense and No. 24 in scoring offense at 35.6 points per game. The Gators are well-balanced, averaging nearly 250 yards passing and 180 yards rushing this season.
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Head coach Brent Venables revealed the challenges that Florida brings to his stout defense.
"They are playing really well, particularly on offense all year,"Venables said."They beat two top-10 teams in Texas andOle Miss. They've put 50+ points on several teams, four times this year. They've scored a whole bunch of points... first time going to Gainesville and looking forward to the opportunity."
Oklahoma will need a much sharper defensive performance to keep Florida's balanced attack in check. The Sooners cannot afford to focus solely on stopping the passing game or loading the box against the run. Florida's ability to attack in multiple ways will test the discipline of the defensive front and the secondary's communication, especially after Oklahoma struggled to contain South Carolina.
The trip to Gainesville also gives the Sooners a chance to respond after their worst defensive outing of the season. With a new offensive play caller taking over, Oklahoma needs its defense to provide stability while the offense adjusts. How the Sooners handle Florida's explosive offense could go a long way toward determining whether they can get their season back on track.
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. South Carolina won 42-25.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden Hat following the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden hat and celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables (right) speaks with tight ends coach Jason Witten before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten watches during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten greets wide receiver Eli Merck (89) during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten works with players during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
1/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Tight end coach Jason Witten walks on the field during an Oklahoma (OU) football practice in Norman, Okla., on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
(NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
2/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the South Carolina Gamecocks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. South Carolina won 42-25.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
3/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden Hat following the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 10, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
4/14
4 players to watch for the Sooners against the Gators
Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten wears the Golden hat and celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners tight end Hayden Hansen (89) after the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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5 reasons Oklahoma can beat Florida on Saturday
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight end coach Jason Witten reacts during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Sep 4, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables (right) speaks with tight ends coach Jason Witten before the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
9/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten is pictured during the University of Oklahoma Sooners Spring Game at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday April 18, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
10/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten watches during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Apr 18, 2026; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners tight ends coach Jason Witten greets wide receiver Eli Merck (89) during the Oklahoma Spring Game at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/14
What is Jason Witten bringing as an offensive play-caller?
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
13/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten works with players during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
14/14
Photos of Oklahoma interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten, left, talks with coach Brent Venables during a Sooners football spring practice in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2026.
(BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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