Rondell Bothroyd thought he had it.
The redshirt senior defensive end rose to his feet with excitement after single-handedly bringing Cincinnati quarterback Emory Jones to the ground on fourth down for seemingly his first sack as a Sooner. There was only one problem, defensive back Kendel Dolby was offside, negating the sack.
I totally forgot Rondell Bothroyd sacked Emory Jones with one hand yesterday lol Absurd strength #Sooners pic.twitter.com/2QU0PpmunO
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) September 24, 2023
Though the opportunity was tarnished, Bothroyd and OU’s defense held strong on the Bearcats’ second fourth down try with under five minutes left, putting a wrench in any comeback hopes. When Bothroyd was asked if Dolby owes him for the penalty, he gave the freshman a free pass.
“We stopped them again,” Bothroyd said after practice Tuesday. “So I’m not worried about it.”
There’s little evidence to say OU’s defense from a season ago, which struggled in third and fourth down situations, would’ve held strong on the second attempt after surrendering a penalty. It’s a sign of improvement bolstered by newcomers like Bothroyd and a defense ready for any challenge they’re faced with.
“I think that's a sign of how (head coach Brent Venables) and all the coaches have (held) us to a standard all camp,” Bothroyd said. “Regardless of what happens, we're gonna face adversity, and it was still fourth down, so try to stop them. We know a lot of their tendencies. So just execute and do what we do.”
Bothroyd contributed half a tackle for loss in a defense which had seven along with two sacks. He’s heard the criticism the Sooners’ defensive line has garnered from their lackluster pass rush numbers through the early part of the season.
Bothroyd admits it's been frustrating to see limited drop backs and when the Sooners are faced with an opportunity to rush the passer they’re met by max protection and quick throws. His confidence in the unit was boosted from turning in their most complete performance yet and containing Jones, a mobile quarterback.
“We took a step up a little bit because it was conference play, and it was a better environment,” Bothroyd said. “It was cool to see everyone play hard and keep getting in the backfield.
“... It’s always a challenge to face somebody with wheels in the backfield. It’s frustrating as a (defensive) lineman because you want to get there, and then he’s gone right away. It’s going to help because we’re gonna play multiple mobile quarterbacks down the road.”
Bothroyd expects much of the same moving forward, beginning when OU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) faces Iowa State (2-2, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Norman on FS1. Though Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht won’t pose nearly the rushing threat as Jones, Bothroyd and the Sooners will approach the matchup expecting to face heavy protection.
“They’re really (about) the basics, and they do them really well,” Bothroyd said. “... As far as passing, it’s what we’ve seen so far with (max protection).”
