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The Norman Transcript, Okla.
OU Football notebook: Cheetah position has plenty of depth
- Story byThe Norman Transcript, Okla.
- OU Football notebook: Cheetah position has plenty of depth
Brent Venables believes this season's Cheetah position group is the best he's had in a long time — and it's playing dividends for his defense.
It seems every drive for the Oklahoma football coach Venables' defense, there's a key play made by the Cheetah position, led by Kendal Daniels , Reggie Powers III and Kendel Dolby . The position group might have the best depth on the defense and has been one of the most-productive groups on the team.
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The Cheetah position derives from Venables, he's the defensive guru that evolved it into one of the more key defensive positions. So he knows what works and who can play it.
Venables said he believes he has the best trio to play the position this season.
"It's the best group that we've had," Venables said. "I've had some that are equal with one guy, but the depth of it, never and it's been a lot of fun. It's a really good problem to have, how we get everybody on the field… We happen to have a threesome there that they're just a bunch of dogs. Hey, they're tough. I don't say that a whole lot, but these guys, man, they're edgy, they're tough…"
Cheetah's are basically a hybrid between a linebacker and a safety. The players can get a blitz call or a run-gap assignment while also dropping back into man or zone coverage.
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That's why Daniels is a massive boost for the defense, since he played linebacker and safety during his time at Oklahoma State.
The position group has been vital for Oklahoma's defense, which is statistically the best defense in the country, and has made some big plays so far this season.
"That's really been a big part for us," Venables said. "I think we've played well on the perimeter this year. All the perimeter RPOs, screen games, setting hard edges, the jet-sweep game and things of that nature are critical to playing good, consistent defense. Those are the layups that a lot of people lean into to stay on schedule and we've been really pretty good, not perfect, but we've been really pretty good all year, which has really helped our inside and outside run defense screen, things of that nature that have helped us cap things off defensively."
Tate Sandell impacting decisions for the Sooners
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The Sooners' new lefty kicker is influencing field-position decisions for the team with his booming leg and confidence.
Tate Sandell, a transfer from University of Texas-San Antonio, has been one of the better kickers in the SEC so far this season.
Sandell missed his first attempt as a Sooner in the Michigan game, but has since gone a perfect 12-12, with three field goals from 50 yards or further.
He's been clutch this season for the Sooners, which gives the team more security when it comes down to decisions for field position.
Sandell wants to kick further field goals, and might get the chance soon, but Venables said Sandell's performance has been taken into account when making decisions.
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"He's been fantastic for us, but absolutely, it does affect decisions that we make," Venables said. "Even if we make a touchdown we'll come back and hey, we needed a field goal, here it is. And he wants to kick the 62, 64, 65-yarder. He doesn't want to kick the 38-yarder. He wants the big kick in a big moment… The league that we're in, you get in position to get points, he's a guy that you really feel confident that you come away scoring in those situations."
Another emergence from the running back room
Tory Blaylock has locked-down the starting spot at running back for the Sooners, but another underclassman has emerged as his No. 2.
Xavier Robinson , a sophomore running back from Carl Albert, has been the second running back for the Sooners for the past two games and has the second-most carries among running backs this season.
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Robinson had 11 carries for 58 yards in OU's win at South Carolina , giving the Sooners a much-needed one-two running back punch.
OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said Robinson is consistent in all aspects, which has allowed him to see the field a lot for the Sooners lately.
"X is a talented ballplayer. He has a really awesome skillset because he's a big kid, but whenever he gets out, has really soft hands. He can catch well," Arbuckle said. "Just being able to be healthy and consistently practice, I think it just does wonders for him as a player. But he's been great. He's been great in meetings, he's been great in our pass protection walkthroughs and pass protection in general, he's been great. It's just being able to string along consistency for him that he's done a really good job of and I think it's helped elevate his play. I'm really proud of X."
