Jovantae Barnes knows the standard for running backs at Oklahoma.
Barnes, who was limited with foot injuries in 2023, has shown hints of resurfacing the player he was during his freshman season in 2022, when he rushed for 519 yards with five touchdowns.
Behind Barnes, redshirt sophomore running back Gavin Sawchuk has only put up 19 yards on 10 carries, averaging 1.9 yards per carry.
“We’re just taking it day by day,” Barnes told reporters on Monday. “We’re doing what we’re supposed to do. Obviously nobody in the room is excited or happy, but we’re not frowning. We’re just taking it day by day.”
Through the first two games, the Sooners run game has been a problem, which had hindered the offense’s ability to find an identity heading into conference play. Oklahoma ranks 12th in the SEC in rushing yards per game and 79th in the nation.
During last week’s game against Houston, it was clear the run game still lacks a prominent player. In that time, the offensive line has dealt with plenty of turnover, which makes it difficult for the run game to develop cohesion. The Sooners only averaged 2.6 yards per carry, and the leading rusher was Barnes with just 40 yards on 12 attempts.
Despite not being able to move the ball consistently through the first two games, Oklahoma may have found a bright spot in the position – both in the present and the future.
True freshman Taylor Tatum showed flashes of the player he can become against Temple – managing 69 rushing yards on only five carries and bursting for a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter. Though he only had one carry last week against Houston, the former four-star recruit leads the team in rushing yards through the first two games.
“Since he came here, he came in like a pro,” Barnes said of Tatum. “He came here as an older guy, and I just love the way he competes. He kind of has the same mentality as me.”
The running backs also saw the return of their position coach DeMarco Murray, after he was suspended one game by the NCAA for recruiting violations.
While the run game averaged 6.1 yards per carry against the Owls, Barnes noted that it was good to have the former Sooner back on the sidelines against Houston and going forward the rest of the season.
“Obviously he played here and he’s one of the greats that played here,” Barnes said. “So anytime I go out there and run the ball or anything I have to do … I look at him and just get his opinion.”
While the number of offensive line injuries has taken its toll on the offense so far, Barnes knows there is no reason to panic and made it clear he believes everything is going to work out.
“This is one of the most explosive offenses I’ve been a part of,” Barnes said. “We have a lot of young talent. A couple of guys went down, but we have a lot of young guys that’s willing to step up.”
