Oklahoma Football: Sooners prove better than 2017 version in FAU victory

Oklahoma backfield ready to step up more on offense for the Sooners

Before we go any further, let’s first acknowledge that the Sooners fielded the 27th-best rushing attack in the FBS last year. Oklahoma’s average of 217 yards per game on the ground ranked at the top of the Big 12. It wasn’t like they struggled to run the ball last year in any way. But because they also boasted the third-best passing attack in the country, the potency of the ground game was obscured by Mayfield’s exploits throwing the ball.

The running game is not going to be overshadowed this season by anybody. Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon are ready to dominate Big 12 defenses this season. Anderson led the way with 100 rushing yards on just five carries, punching in touchdown runs of 30 and 65 yards before getting an early rest. Sermon added a 17-yard touchdown and finished with 69 rushing yards on nine carries.

Beyond the starting duo, the Sooners went deep into a talent-rich group of runners and highlighted their myriad threats on the ground. Senior back Marcelias Sutton had four carries for 38 yards, including a 22-yard scoring burst on the opening drive of the second half. Freshman back Kennedy Brooks finished with a touchdown and 51 yards on four carries. And another freshman, T.J. Pledger, added seven carries for 38 yards in relief.

The ground game will be even more productive this season thanks to the depth Oklahoma boasts in the backfield. They racked up 99 more yards than last year’s season average in the big win over the Owls.