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Zac Alley struggled to keep his balance as he was hoisted in the air.

Following Oklahoma’s 51-3 win over Temple, Alley walked into the locker room, was lifted up by the OU football team, and delivered the game ball by head coach Brent Venables following his first game as co-defensive coordinator.

 

“They got me up there. I thought I was gonna flip to my head halfway through. I was vertical backwards for a minute but I think Bauer Sharp caught me so it was good, it was fun. I’ve never crowd surfed, so that was a first time.”

After years of working with Venables at Clemson, the Sooners head coach trusted Alley with running the defense on Friday.

“Just amazing,” Alley said following the win on Friday. “Our players are just incredible. Everything they’ve been through the last eight months to grind in the summer and just getting ready for this moment.

Oklahoma’s defense lined up with loads of energy as the second quarter began with Temple having the ball backed into Sooners territory. After Temple had picked up a first down earlier in the drive, OU forced Temple into a 3rd and 7 at the OU 45-yard line. 

In the first quarter, Temple turned the ball over two times in four drives, and the Sooners forced an interception during the Owls’ last possession.

On the 3rd-down play, Temple receiver Dante Wright caught the ball around the line of scrimmage and attempted to make magic happen until junior defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings came flying in and forced another fumble, which led to the Sooners’ third takeaway in the first half and second in as many drives. 

OU forced three more turnovers after Spears-Jennings’ fumble recovery, as the Sooners took care of Temple 51-3 in Alley’s debut as defensive coordinator. Oklahoma converted six Temple turnovers into 34 points. It was the first time the Sooners had forced six turnovers since 2003.

Even when they weren’t forcing turnovers the Sooners defense gave Temple problems all night. Quarterback Forrest Brock only completed 48% of his passes and Temple only managed 197 yards of offense and averaged 1.9 yards per carry. 

Throughout Friday’s performance, 27 players recorded at least one tackle. Danny Stutsman led the team with six, followed by redshirt sophomore Kip Lewis, Spears-Jennings and sophomore Lewis Carter with four tackles each. 

OU also totaled six sacks and nine tackles for loss on Friday. The leader in sacks was redshirt freshman defensive lineman Markus Strong, who before Friday only appeared in one college game in his career. 

Along with Strong, junior defensive lineman Gracen Halton was also a key factor in Friday’s win, as he recorded a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss. 

“Really proud of the defense,” Venables said following the win Friday. “I loved how aggressive and confident our guys were moving around. Flying to the ball and being aggressive and knocking the ball loose, fantastic job by the defense.”

OU would add a touchdown off a muffed punt by Wright with 11:44 left in the fourth quarter when Jaren Kanak scored his first career touchdown following the fumble.

Alley noted that if players constantly perform up to standard while on special teams, then it will help them be more successful in the future with whatever role they have for their specific position.

“At this level and the next level, you’ve got to play on special teams if you want an opportunity to make a team in the NFL,” Alley said of Kanak. “So we promote that culture here on the staff. He just does a great job in all phases for us.”

With OU’s offense putting together quick drives and putting the pressure on Temple early, it allowed Alley to draw up different schemes, as he was calling the shots for the defense on Friday.

It allowed players like Kendel Dolby to be used all over the field, as he registered two tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup during his start at Cheetah.

“He’s really physical,” Alley said. “He might not be the tallest, longest guy, but he’s small (and mighty. He’s trying to come in there and knock your head off, and an elite coverage guy in the slot that can knock down anybody in the country.”

Next, the Sooners will face Houston at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on SEC Network.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables' postgame press conference after the Sooners' 51-3 win over Temple.

Filmed and edited by Aryanna Smith

Chapters:

00:00 - Brent Venables recaps the game

03:49 - Brent Venables on Jalil Farooq and Branson Hickman's injuries

04:31 - What was the biggest thing that stood out to you on the defensive front and the way they played the field?

06:01 - Brent Venables on the running game and Demarco Murray

06:49 - Brent Venables on Taylor Tatum

07:04 - Brent Venables on Deion Burks' future

07:41 - Is it safe to say you have to be patient with the new offense to get going?

08:43 - Brent on Tyler Keltner and Zach Schmit

09:33 - What do you think about Jackson's decision-making?

10:41 - How did the communication work with the offense and defense?

10:46 - Brent Venables on Andrel Anthony Jr. return

11:21 - Brent Venables on Michael Hawkins' debut

11:55 - Brent Venables on the fill-ins for Jalil Farooq

12:23 - What potential does Bauer Sharp add to your offense

13:00 - Brent Venables talks complete players for rush and pass

13:56 - Brent Venables on Walker's interception and Dolby

14:36 - Is Woodi 100% the same for Gentry?

15:29 - Is Jake Taylor in the same boat too?

15:44 - Brent Venables on new young receivers

16:27 - What do you think about the special team unit not giving up a long run?

17:03 - How important was it today to get Zach Alley further settled into this division?

18:13 - Brent Venables on defense

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