Although the Oklahoma football team won’t face the Texas Longhorns in Dallas until Week 7, Jackson Arnold and the Sooners are already gearing up for this year’s Red River Rivalry. The 2024 matchup will be the 120th between the two teams, with Texas holding the historical edge, yet Oklahoma claimed victory last year and has won 17 of the last 25 encounters.
Arnold, adhering to Oklahoma football’s principles, emphasized staying focused on the immediate opponent rather than looking ahead.
“For us and for the team, it’s crucial to concentrate on the current opponent, which is Houston this week. There will always be discussions about future games like the OU-Texas matchup, but as Coach Brent Venables says, the next game is the most important one on our schedule. So right now, our focus is solely on Houston. We need to be fully engaged in film study and practice to prepare for Houston and then move on to Tulane and Tennessee. Each game is the most important one at the time.”
In his first season as a full-time starter, sophomore Arnold excelled against the Temple Owls in Week 1, throwing for 141 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Deion Burks, a transfer from Purdue.
The Sooners’ defense also shone brightly, notching six sacks and nine tackles for loss in their dominant 52-7 win.
Arnold, who has been eager for the starting quarterback role, is ready for the challenge. “The main focus for me this offseason was stepping into the QB1 role,” Arnold said. “I knew the coaches had confidence in me, and I wanted to develop the leadership and resilience required to be the quarterback at a major program like Oklahoma. Preparing during the offseason was crucial for building chemistry with coaches and teammates.”
While Oklahoma’s upcoming home games against the Houston Cougars and Tulane Green Wave may not capture much media attention, their Week 4 game, rather than the rivalry clash with Texas, will be the focus of the spotlight.
Leave a Reply