Sooners Regroup After Loss, Coach Highlights Need for Toughness

Norman, Oklahoma — The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners are focusing on recovery following their first loss of the season against the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry on Saturday. Head coach Brent Venables discussed the mindset he wants from his team as they prepare for their upcoming game this week.

Venables, who has a career record of 1-3 against the Longhorns, addressed reporters on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for mental toughness in the face of heightened competition since the Sooners joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC) earlier this season.

In response to a question about winning close games, Venables underscored the importance of executing plays effectively on offense, defense, and special teams. He encouraged players to embrace the challenges they face each game, saying, ‘It’s the tough-mindedness that you want your guys to play with.’ He continued, ‘I don’t want guys to panic. You’re going to get punched back a lot.’

Referencing the Old Big 12 Conference, Venables remarked on the increased competitiveness of the SEC, stating, ‘This isn’t the old Big 12 days where Oklahoma destroys everybody every single week except for one game a year.’ He sought to clarify his comments, acknowledging the caliber of competition in the SEC, noting, ‘Every week, there’s big, long, fast explosive dudes, great staffs, really good quarterback play.’

In a quick reaction, the Big 12’s official social media account responded to Venables’ remarks by highlighting his record in conference play, noting that he lost eight conference games in his two seasons within the Big 12. Oklahoma’s performance over the past two seasons includes a 10-8 record in conference games.

From 2000 to 2021, under coaches Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma dominated the Big 12 with a winning percentage of .823 and secured a league-record 14 conference titles. Venables, who was a defensive coordinator for the Sooners during this successful period, faces new challenges in aligning his team with the expectations of the SEC.

As tensions surrounding conference realignment resurface, the Sooners must focus on honing their skills and mental toughness ahead of their next game on Saturday.