Brent Venables gives update on injured running backs ahead of Alabama game
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Brent Venables shared an update on Oklahoma’s running back room on Wednesday afternoon.
The Sooners didn’t have lead running backs Jovantae Barnes or Gavin Sawchuk in their last game against Mizzou, but Venables shared some good news regarding at least one of OU’s tail backs.
Venables said he hopes to have Sawchuk available to face the Crimson Tide on Saturday. Sawchuk has not registered a carry since OU’s loss to Texas back on Oct. 12.
As for Barnes, his status for this weekend’s game remains unclear. He suffered an injury against Maine a few weeks ago and did not make the trip to Columbia for Oklahoma’s matchup against Mizzou in Week 11.
#Sooners coach Brent Venables says he hopes RB Gavin Sawchuk will return from injury vs. Alabama.
Jovantae Barnes’ status is still up in the air after he didn’t travel to Missouri. Expect to see freshman Xavier Robinson, who said Monday night he is choosing to burn his redshirt.
— Colton Sulley (@colton_sulley) November 20, 2024
With those veterans sidelined, Oklahoma has turned to a pair of freshman running backs: Taylor Tatum and Xavier Robinson.
Tatum has been in the rotation all season, but has battled some ball-security issues. He is OU’s second-leading rusher with 264 yards on the season.
Robinson played sparingly this year before breaking out a couple of weeks ago against Mizzou. He led the Sooners with 9 carries for 56 yards in that game. Robinson, who has already played in 4 games this season, announced earlier this week that he will forego the opportunity to redshirt.
Throughout Oklahoma football history, the Sooners have met the Crimson Tide 6 previous times. OU is 3-2-1 all-time against Alabama. Oklahoma and Alabama will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night in Norman.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
