Jalil Farooq is comfortable with the ball in his hands in the backfield.
At Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, Farooq starred as both a running back and a receiver. The junior, who carried the ball five times for 18 yards and fumbled once in Oklahoma’s 38-33 loss to Kansas on Saturday, believes in his ability as a runner and took accountability for his struggles.
“Just me not staying focused, tucking it up,” Farooq said on Monday. “I’ve just got to be better on that part. Wherever the coach needs me, I'm still going to be there regardless. I’ve got to be better on that part; that was on me, and I take full responsibility. They made a play and took advantage of it. I’ve just got to tuck it up.”
Many fans questioned offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s decision to give Farooq the ball when three of his main running backs were healthy entering the game and junior walk-on Tawee Walker had success.
It seems Lebby has been waiting to give Farooq a chance in the backfield as he highlighted his running ability earlier this season after he scored a 21-yard touchdown against SMU.
"The biggest thing is you look at his high school tape," Lebby said on Sept. 18. "This is a kid who played a ton of running back. Naturally this is a strong-bodied guy who can win one-on-ones and be able to run through some trash. Those are things that stick out for sure."
Farroq’s fumble didn’t cost the Sooners a win against the Jayhawks, however, their offense as a whole never found its rhythm. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel passed for 171 yards, his lowest total of the season, and OU converted two of its 10 third down conversion attempts.
“Momentum is a big thing in football,” Farroq said. “We’ve just got to continue to see and have tunnel vision, it’s happening fast. You’ve got to do the best of your ability the next play, mentally, physically, emotionally and everything’s got to be straightforward. So just being able to do the next play and to be ready.”
Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) is going to have to be better against Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1), which has won four consecutive games, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
“Just little details making the right read,” Farooq said. “Just being able to do your job when the play comes your way. … I just think we need more confidence. Once we get rolling, I don't think (anyone is) stopping us.”
In-state captains
For the Sooners’ final Bedlam matchup as a Big 12 member, their five captains announced Monday are all Oklahoma natives.
Defensive ends junior Ethan Downs (Weatherford) and redshirt senior Trace Ford (Edmond) and sophomore defensive back Gentry Williams (Tulsa) will serve as OU’s defensive captains vs. OSU. Wide receivers sophomore Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma City) and Drake Stoops will lead Oklahoma’s offense.
Downs has recorded 23 total tackles and four and a half sacks this season and picked off Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean last Saturday. Ford, who transferred to the Sooners after spending four seasons at Oklahoma State, has 10 total tackles, including two for loss and an interception this season. Williams, who didn’t play vs. Kansas due to an injury, has collected six total tackles, including one for loss and an interception in 2023. Venables said during his weekly coaches show that Williams practiced on Monday.
Stoops, the son of Hall of Fame coach Bob Stoops who grew up attending Bedlam games, has 40 catches for 394 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Freeman has 17 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Injury update
Venables also provided an update on junior linebacker Danny Stutsman, who exited OU’s loss to Kansas after appearing to injure his knee, and Walker, who didn’t return against the Jayhawks after posting a career-high 146 rushing yards.
Venables said “fingers crossed” when discussing the injuries.
During a weekly radio appearance Monday, Stutsman said he’s feeling well.
“I’m great,” he said. “Doing everything I can to be ready to go. Just always getting that treatment, recovery so I can heal up the body, heal up the mind."
College Football Playoff rankings release
After its loss to the Jayhawks, Oklahoma dropped from No. 6 to No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll released on Sunday.
However, the Sooners will find out where they really stand when the first College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled at 6 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN.
OU sophomore linebacker Dasan McCullough said the team isn’t focused on any rankings but instead on refocusing for Bedlam.
“Not really, not right now,” he said after practice when asked if the team pays attention to the rankings. “At least now we don't, we haven't. I haven't really looked. I saw that we moved down to 10 (in the AP poll). But we haven't really looked besides that honestly.”
