Lloyd Avant establishes himself as Oklahoma's RB1

F1 São Paulo GP 2026 – Practice 3

Story by

Story by
Lloyd Avant establishes himself as Oklahoma's RB1

Gabe Ikard questions Oklahoma's run game identity

Aaron Gelvin, Sooners Wire · Sooners Wire

Thu, Oct 15, 2026 ·

3 min read

About Our Ads

The Oklahoma Sooners have struggled on offense this season, but they hope a thrilling win over the Texas Longhorns last week will help build confidence on that side of the ball. Now, OU heads back home to face the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night.

Oklahoma still has room for improvement on offense. One area where the Sooners can keep making strides is the running game. While much of that falls on the offensive line, OU also needs a running back to step up, take the job, and make it his.

Perhaps we saw the beginning of that happen in the second half of last week's win. Running back Lloyd Avant helped OU's offense get untracked, having an effect as both a runner and a receiver. With the ball in his hands, he ran angry and wasn't brought down easily, which hasn't been the case in the RB room this season.

Avant was an incoming transfer from Colorado State, and many expected him to be an auxiliary piece to the returning combination of Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock in the backfield. For some, he was a hurdle freshman Jonathan Hatton Jr. had to clear to get more carries.

Now, through five games, Avant accounts for nearly half of OU's total rushing yards and two-thirds of its rushing touchdowns. He and quarterback John Mateer have carried the ball on over 63 percent of Oklahoma's rushing plays. Mateer has the second-most rushing yards on the team. Long story short, Avant's opportunity and production have dwarfed that of the other big names in OU's running back room. He's also been the room's healthiest member, as his four main competitors have all missed a game due to injury.

Moving forward, Avant should continue to be the lead back after helping the Sooners beat Texas. With Robinson out this week against Kentucky and Blaylock's status up in the air, the top duo for now looks like Avant and Hatton. The freshman is now Oklahoma's third-leading rusher. While Blaylock looks set to return Saturday night, if he can't play against the Wildcats, freshman DeZephen Walker could be in line for a bigger role.

As the Sooners look to run the ball more effectively, they could benefit from an established hierarchy at running back. He'll need to build on his strong performance, but Avant's day at the Cotton Bowl could start something sustainable for OU on the ground.

OU rushing stats through five games in 2026

RB Lloyd Avant: 52 carries for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns
QB John Mateer: 53 carries for 70 yards
RB Jonathan Hatton Jr.: 19 carries for 55 yards ( in four games )
RB Xavier Robinson: 13 carries for 50 yards ( in four games )
RB Ben McCreary: 6 carries for 40 yards ( in one game )
RB Tory Blaylock: 10 carries for 22 yards ( in four games )
WR Isaiah Sategna III: 5 carries for 16 yards
QB Whitt Newbauer: 2 carries for 3 yards and 1 touchdown ( in one game )
QB Bowe Bentley: 1 carry for -2 yards ( in one game )
RB Andy Bass: 2 carries for -8 yards ( in four games )
Current Team Total: 166 carries for 479 yards and 3 touchdowns

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables walks with players before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) scores a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive line Hero Kanu (93) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Preston Tarpley (33) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) celebrates with offensive line Noah Best (52) after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Markel Ford (5) reacts during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oklahoma celebrates a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first half 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; Texas Longhorns defensive line Alex January (97) tackles Oklahoma Sooners running back Tory Blaylock (6) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; An Oklahoma Sooners cheerleader looks on during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Trent Wilson (90) tackles Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) leads the team on the field for warm ups before 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 pom squad/cheer members pose for a photo before the game against the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) kicks a game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Lloyd Avant (9) runs against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rides the Sooner Schooner as he celebrates after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners place kicker Tate Sandell (29) celebrates with his teammates and the Golden Hat after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) while wearing the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeat the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(Jerome Miron, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 10, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman David Stone (0) wears the Golden Hat after the game against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin .

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Lloyd Avant establishes himself as Oklahoma's RB1

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by:

F1 São Paulo GP 2026 – Practice 3

Lloyd Avant establishes himself as Oklahoma's RB1

OU rushing stats through five games in 2026

What is Brent Venables looking for in OU's next offensive coordinator?

What is Brent Venables looking for in OU's next offensive coordinator?

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

4 players to watch for OU against Kentucky

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Oklahoma vs. No. 17 Kentucky: Sooners Wire Staff Predictions

Oklahoma's Todd Bates highlights the growth of Trent Wilson

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Tate Sandell building confidence after Texas game winner

Brent Venables believes Tate Sandell will be 'fine' after struggles

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Oklahoma star safety Peyton Bowen's status for Saturday uncertain

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Oklahoma determined to avoid post-Texas hangover

How the SEC stacks up in USA TODAY Sports 1-138 rankings after Week7

Photos from Oklahoma's improbable win over the Texas Longhorns

Where did David Stone in USA TODAY Sports latest NFL mock draft?