Willie Fritz entered a half-full Oklahoma stadium where he would induce hours of fear and chaos.
The 2021 season-opener was moved from New Orleans to Norman due to Hurricane Ida, and Fritz’s Tulane squad was traveling to play the preseason No. 2-ranked Sooners led by Heisman-favorite Spencer Rattler.
Fritz’s defense forced a turnover on the second play from scrimmage, helping the Green Wave build an early 14-7 lead, before allowing 30 unanswered points. But after a second half surge Fritz and Co. found themselves beginning a drive at midfield down 40-35 with two minutes left before the Sooners stopped them and secured a narrow win.
Though Tulane finished that season 2-10 and at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference, Fritz was still able to nearly deliver a historic upset against the Sooners.
This season, Fritz’s Houston team, which dropped its season-opener 27-7 to UNLV, has a chance to invoke the same feeling into an OU team riding high off a 51-3 win over Temple in week one.
“The last time (Fritz) was here — representing Tulane at the time — it went down to the wire,” Venables said. “Coach Fritz and his staff are known for being well-coached and incredibly disciplined, patient. They play a tight game, try to get it to the fourth quarter, try to possess the ball, run it in a variety of ways and take their shots.”
The 2021 season also marks the last time a Wille Fritz led team lost a true road game. The 10 consecutive away games he’s won over the past two seasons include defeating Big 12 runner-up Kansas State in Manhattan in 2022 and storming into Cincinnati to defeat the then-No. 24 Bearcats that same season.
Fritz seemingly lives for the hostile environments and upset wins. And Venables knows it.
“He knows how to get his guys ready,” Venables said. “... So it ought to be a good matchup.”
Injury updates
OU head coach Brent Venables provided updates on injured players leading up to Saturday’s game against Houston.
With senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq now sidelined after suffering a broken foot on Friday, Venables named receivers Jaquaize Pettaway and Nic Anderson as guys who are close to returning.
As a freshman, Pettaway saw limited action, but tallied nine catches for 56 yards in last year’s season opener against Arkansas State.
“He’s had a hamstring injury these last few weeks that have kept him from full speed,” Venables said. “But he’s ready to go and he can play inside and outside.”
Anderson, who Venables said “would be back sooner rather than later,” was second on the team in receiving yards last season and was tied for first with 10 touchdowns in 2023.
After center Branson Hickman suffered an ankle sprain, it allowed Washington transfer Geirean Hatchett to fill in during the Sooners’ 51-3 win over Temple on Friday. Also on the offensive line, reinforcements are expected in the near future with center Troy Everett “close” to returning, according to Venables.
Venables mentioned during his coaches show on Monday that redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Jake Taylor is also expected to be back on Saturday.
OU captains
Oklahoma named five captains for its game against Houston on Saturday.
Game Captains vs. Houston 🫡#OUDNA | #Team130 pic.twitter.com/Qv3aHynoCq
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 3, 2024
Senior defensive lineman Ethan Downs, senior defensive back Kendel Dolby, junior running back Jovante Barnes, fifth-year tight end Jake Roberts and redshirt senior kicker Zach Schmit will lead OU during its second contest of the season.
Downs tallied his second career forced fumble against Temple, two tackles and a sack. Dolby also played well on defense during Friday’s game, making two tackles, one sack, one pass breakup that led to an interception and one quarterback hurry.
Offensively, Barnes and Roberts will potentially get an opportunity to make an impact against Houston after seeing little time against Temple. Schmit performed all 10 kickoffs on Friday.
Next, Oklahoma faces Houston (0-1) at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
