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Brent Venables explains frustrations with 2 of Jackson Arnold’s turnovers vs. Tennessee
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Brent Venables met with reporters after Oklahoam’s 25-15 win over Tennessee on Saturday night.
In addition to several other topics Venables needed to address, he now has a quarterback controversy to deal with ahead of Oklahoma’s Week 5 trip to Auburn. While Venables didn’t get into what the decision will be for next week, he did address some of Jackson Arnold’s struggles in this game.
Arnold was benched late in the first half after his second fumble of the game. It happened on a backwards pass that was recovered by Tennessee. Venables told reporters that the pass Arnold threw in that situation isn’t an option on the play that was called.
Venables was also critical of Arnold’s decision on a first-half interception:
Venables: “I felt like our first interception we just threw it up there… And then the throw behind the line of scrimmage, that’s not even an option there… It’s a take all the way.” #Sooners
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) September 22, 2024
Arnold’s most costly turnover of the game was a fumble inside the Tennessee 5-yard line that gave the ball back to the Vols. If Oklahoma had scored on that drive, it may have had a chance to tie the game late.
True freshman Michael Hawkins was brought into the game late in the second quarter. Hawkins played turnover-free football and led Oklahoma to a pair of touchdown drives late in the game to help close the deficit.
Oklahoma will take on Auburn on the road next weekend. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
