Red Wolves fans were looking to see some sign of improvement, even against an opponent as well-heeled as the Oklahoma Sooners. Would the offense be more potent with a bigger offensive line? Would the defense build upon a last year’s better effort? Would special teams live up to the hype (well, as much hype as special teams can muster). The answer, at least on this Saturday, was “nope.”

Within 70 seconds after opening kickoff, the Sooners were up 14 to zero thanks to a five-play 70 yard TD drive from Oklahoma to start the game, followed by a Sooners special teams touchdown after a crips 3-and-out from the Red Wolves. After that, things just got much worse.

Oklahoma opened the game with six possessions and six scores – only the last a mercy field goal. Dominic Zvada, a Lou Groza finalist last season, missed from 49 and 48 yards in the first half. Starting QB JT Shrout was victim to a number of dropped passes. Oklahoma wide receivers found themselves alone and unmolested to make big plays. The Red Wolves wouldn’t force a punt until only 3 minutes left in the game.

The second half started much like the first. After the A-State opened with an uninspired three-and-out, the Sooners trotted out freshman second string QB Jackson Arnold to lead another touchdown drive on a perfect 4/4 passing. (He would follow that up with another 4/4 touchdown drive and finish the game a magical 11/11 with three total touchdowns.)

There were a couple first down moments that lifted the hearts of otherwise sullen Red Wolves fans. Corey Rucker’s first reception of the season went for 28 yards. In the second quarter, JT Shrout connected with Courtney Jackson for a 47 yard strike. (Neither yielded points.) The offensive line didn’t to a bad job protecting Shrout.

But honestly, there wasn’t anything to feel positive about in this game. The team was manhandled, overmatched and outmuscled at every facet of the game. Oklahoma running backs bowled over Red Wolves linebackers, and Sooners defensive backs yanked balls out of receivers hands. When the defense seemed poised to make a stop, the Red Wolves committed a personal foul. When the offense seemed positioned to pick up a first down, a receiver dropped a pass. It’s difficult to quantify such things, but this may have been the worst game played by Arkansas State since the early aughts.

If contributing to Dillon Gabriel’s Heisman campaign was the goal for Butch Jones and his staff, then mission accomplished.

Observations

In my game preview, I asked “How do we avoid seeing General Booty?” Booty came trotting in with about four minutes left in the game. He led the Sooners to an inglorious three-and-out.

We saw a lot of action for freshman wide receiver Tennel Bryant; he finished tied for a team high 3 completions for 33 yards (but also a fumble).

Samy Johnson landed hard on an end zone breakup and didn’t return to the game.

The outcome was official worse than 1992’s destruction at Norman, when the Sooners shutout Arkansas State 61-0.

JT Shrout finished his game 12/26 for 148 yards. Jaxon Dailey played at QB for a good chunk on the fourth quarter.

Historically, the Oklahoma Sooners have outscored Arkansas State 179 to 7.

Jaxon Dailey was the team’s leading rusher with 11 yards.