Sooners' Jayden Jackson on the defense: 'We've got to be better'
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Sooners' Jayden Jackson on the defense: 'We've got to be better'
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Jayden Jackson (65) tackles Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jaron Spor, Sooners Wire·Sooners Wire
·
2 min read
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After theOklahoma Soonersfell to theMichigan Wolverines, 17-10, on Saturday, the criticism went to the offense. That makes sense, as Oklahoma scored only 10 points and racked up 289 yards of total offense.
Despite the offensive struggles, the defense wasn't happy with its performance either. The defense allowed just 263 yards of total offense, including under 100 yards in the second half. But the Sooners struggled with some of the basics, like tackling and taking the correct angles.
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Defensive tackle Jayden Jackson said they have to be better as a unit.
"We see it,"Jackson said via OU Insider."You know, just doing our job. I keep saying little things, because that is what we lack at the end of the day. You know, we've got to be better. We've all seen it."
The problem for Oklahoma is that good defenses have to capitalize when opportunities arise. Oklahoma had a chance to create turnovers and make stops behind the line of scrimmage, but the Sooners consistently didn't finish those plays. Against a team like Michigan, those small details can be the difference between winning and losing.
That makes Jackson's comments particularly important heading into the rest of the season. The defense doesn't appear to believe it needs a complete overhaul. Instead, Oklahoma needs cleaner execution from a unit that has already shown it can limit quality opponents.
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The Sooners will face the New Mexico Lobos next before the schedule gets tougher. If Oklahoma wants back in the College Football Playoff conversation, the defense has to turn Jackson's "little things" into strengths. The Sooners don't need to completely reinvent themselves; they need to stop giving opponents opportunities to exploit the details.
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Taylor Wein (44) reacts after a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Jayden Jackson (65) tackles Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) scrambles with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Kenny Ozowalu (94) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) celebrates with wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Trell Harris (11) carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) celebrates with running back Xavier Robinson (21) after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Eli Bowen (23) and defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) tackle Michigan Wolverines cornerback Smith Snowden (3) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) passes the ball under pressure from Michigan Wolverines defensive line Bobby Kanka (99) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) avoids a tackle by Michigan Wolverines defensive line Bobby Kanka (99) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to hand off the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to hand off the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end John Henry Daley (90) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) passes the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) and defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Michael Boganowski (25) forces Michigan Wolverines wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) out of bounds during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Taylor Wein (44) reacts after a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/22
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Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Jayden Jackson (65) tackles Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) scrambles with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive line Kenny Ozowalu (94) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) celebrates with wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Trell Harris (11) carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Mackenzie Alleyne (17) celebrates with running back Xavier Robinson (21) after scoring a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Eli Bowen (23) and defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) tackle Michigan Wolverines cornerback Smith Snowden (3) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to pass the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/22
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Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
(Rick Osentoski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) passes the ball under pressure from Michigan Wolverines defensive line Bobby Kanka (99) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) avoids a tackle by Michigan Wolverines defensive line Bobby Kanka (99) during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to hand off the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) looks to hand off the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end John Henry Daley (90) sacks Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
20/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) passes the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
21/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Powers III (3) and defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Savion Hiter (5) during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
22/22
Photos from Oklahoma Sooners loss to Michigan Wolverines
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Michael Boganowski (25) forces Michigan Wolverines wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) out of bounds during the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
(Lon Horwedel, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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