OU relied on a trio of underclassmen to anchor its offensive line in a 33-27 win against Tennessee.
OU started freshman tackle Michael Fasusi, freshman offensive tackle Ryan Fodje and redshirt freshman guard Eddy Pierre-Louis as it navigated a challenging Southeastern Conference environment. Despite their youth, the linemen combined intensity, communication and physicality to help lead the offense.
“There were some of them guys chirping a bit about (the offensive line) being younger guys,” Pierre-Louis said. “But we tuned that out.”
With redshirt senior offensive lineman Troy Everett out for the season, the Sooners’ underclassmen have been forced to shoulder added responsibility. Pierre-Louis, Fasusi and Fodje have responded with athleticism, energy and a willingness to learn.
The freshmen displayed their connection during a huddle with the Sooners leading 26-24 against Tennessee as 1:47 remained in the fourth quarter. Pierre-Louis and Fasusi shared a brief sideline ritual: a playful headbutt.
Never change EPL. Never change pic.twitter.com/UIR5xAUjOk
— D (@The_Ham_Berglar) November 2, 2025
“Fasusi is the one that got me hyped up,” Pierre-Louis said. “He was talking to me; he was like, ‘Come on, we’ve got to get this. This is an opportunity for us to get up big.’”
Pierre-Louis later watched the viral clip and saw the effect his energy had on Fasusi.
“When I watched the video, I noticed that Michael (Fasusi) was running a lot faster. … It’s good that we bring that source of energy and juice,” Pierre-Louis said.
OU coach Brent Venables noted that Pierre-Louis’ intensity often sets the tone for the group.
“The way you see him out there on the field, that’s how he practices," Venables said. “He runs out of the huddle; he sprints the line. It’s a very infectious thing — the mindset, the attitude, the passion, the energy. To me, it starts there. The best units have that.”
Pierre-Louis had previously logged just 74 snaps through seven games, often coming at the end of contests. His breakout opportunity came against Mississippi when he played 45 snaps despite not starting. That performance earned him the start at left guard against Tennessee, where he played all 66 snaps.
Despite the expanded role and the stakes of the Tennessee game, Pierre-Louis’ focus remained consistent through the guidance of offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
“Coach Bedenbaugh emphasized blocking out that outside noise,” Pierre-Louis said, “and we made the job happen.”
Bedenbaugh came to Norman in 2013 and has established himself as a key figure. Under his leadership, the Sooners’ line earned the 2018 Joe Moore Award as the best offensive‑line unit in the country, and he has developed 13 NFL draft picks in his 11 seasons at OU, including nine offensive tackles drafted in the past 10 years.
His ability to develop talent has been on display this season, mentoring a line that contributed to 192 rushing yards against Tennessee after averaging 122.3 through the Sooners' first six games. Fasusi credited Bedenbaugh for helping him and his teammates understand the game beyond individual matchups.
“I’ve learned a lot, … seeing the whole field differently, looking at the alignments, talking about the safeties and what they mean, not just focusing on the person across from me,” Fasusi said.
The offensive line aims to build on its recent success as the season progresses.
“There’s still room for progress,” Fasusi said, “It’s always the little things we can work on … like our hands, our splits, our feet, communication as well (and) everybody going to the right places.”
After a bye week, OU will face No. 4 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on ABC.
This story was edited by Josh McDaniel.
