NORMAN — The sting from Georgia running back Sony Michel’s walk-off 27-yard touchdown run in the Rose Bowl nine months ago still pains the Oklahoma defense.
It marked the end of a rocky season for the often maligned OU defense which now — after two lockdown performances against a pair of offensive-minded coaching wizards — appears revitalized and ready to take the 2-0 Sooners to another Big 12 title and beyond.
So when strong safety Justin Broiles was asked what the secret to the Sooners defense playing at a new level is, the redshirt freshman’s response was bold, but it was spot on.
“We’re just trying to change the culture,” Broiles said after the sixth-ranked Sooners' 49-21 win over UCLA on Saturday. “We are tired of being known as Oklahoma offense, Oklahoma offense. When you think Oklahoma, we want people to think defense — about Teddy Lehman (All-American) and those guys that made you think defense when you saw Oklahoma.”
This year, with the depth Oklahoma features defensively, it is certainly possible to have both an elite offense and a stiff defense.
Through three quarters, the Sooners allowed only seven points, notched six sacks and held UCLA (0-2) to 213 total yards of offense, a measly 3.9 yards per play.
OU forced four 3-and-outs in the game and got off the field on third down time and time again as the Bruins only moved the sticks twice on their first 11 attempts and finished only 5-of-15 on third down conversions.
“It’s a lot of fun out there,” said OU junior linebacker Mark Jackson, who led the Sooners with 10 tackles. “Everyone is keeping everyone accountable, making sure we don’t get too high or too low. I’m not sure about last year, but this year we’re keeping each other accountable, making sure we never take a play off and get to the quarterback no matter what.”
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly — who let us remind you helped Oregon rise to national prominence with its prolific offense — has coached two NFL teams, well aware on what makes college defenses squirm.
But the Sooners stood their ground and held UCLA to 383 yards of total offense, a large chunk of which came in garbage time with the game well in hand.
“Coach Chip Kelly and those guys know what they’re doing,” Riley said. “Schematically they’re going to put you in some tough positions (defensively).”
One of UCLA’s few third down conversions came on a 65-yard pass to Caleb Wilson, setting up the Bruins’ opening touchdown to take a 7-0 lead just 3:41 into the game. After that, it was crickets for UCLA.
UCLA’s next eight possessions consisted of seven punts and a turnover on downs.
“Our D-line continues to play well,” OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “I thought our pressures were good. After one bad third down, our first group played really well through three quarters. Curtis (Bolton) and Mark Jackson showed up more. Kenneth Murray played better so a lot of positive signs.”
The heart and soul of the defense, sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray, who had nine tackles, two and a half for loss and a sack, set the tone on UCLA’s first two offensive drives when he sniffed out a crossing route on third down, then stuffed a pitch for a loss of six yards.
Linebacker Curtis Bolton’s third down sack in the second quarter pushed the Bruins back the 38-yard line and out of field goal range. Bolton, who had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks, lurked on a QB spy and when UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson tried to step up in the pocket and potentially scramble, he ran into Bolton’s crimson brick wall.
Eleven Sooners tallied four or more tackles and four had eight or more, highlighting what OU’s recent recruiting classes have brought to the table.
“Our overall talent level has gotten better. Our depth and mentality is getting better,” Riley said. “We’re flying around and making a lot of plays right now. I thought we tackled a lot better today and that was a big emphasis coming in.”
Shortly before halftime, OU dialed up the pressure again with three Sooners combining for a sack. Nose guard Neville Gallimore, who had eight tackles, used a savvy swim move to create pressure, Jackson joined him and Bolton was swiping at the quarterback’s ankles, forcing fourth and a mile while OU nursed a 21-7 lead.
“The last two years it’s pretty much been Obo (Ogbo Okoronkwo, Rams LB) or nothing,” Riley said. “But we are starting to be able to do new things with those guys. We got a nice rotation with some of our depth and that was definitely a critical factor.”
OU was able to force two 3rd-and-longs in the third quarter, the latter stop helping set up CeeDee Lamb’s electrifying 66-yard punt return. Two plays later, the Sooners scored to take a 35-7 lead and seal the victory.
If the Sooners defense and special teams can make plays consistently like they did against UCLA, there’s a lot less pressure on OU’s prestigious offense.
Broiles says the defense’s confidence has stemmed from going up against one of the nation’s best offenses every day in practice.
“Our confidence started building when we started practice. Did y’all not see them (Sooners offense) play today?” Broiles laughed. “We practice them on Tuesdays. It’s great going and competing against these guys every day. One day we might get them, the next day they might come back and get us.”
OU’s defense is what will make or break the Sooners' championship dreams. On Saturday, they exceeded expectations.
“We talked a lot about this game. You get your Big 12 games, but you don’t get some of these marquee out-of-conference matchups with teams from different parts of the country,” Riley said. “This is one you don’t get every year so you want to make the most of them.”
The Sooners made the most of the opportunity against a name-brand school in UCLA. Now can the Sooners avenge last year’s loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 opener next Saturday in Ames?
“We’re hungry to go win another Big 12 title,” Riley said. “And that starts here this week.”
solson@swoknews.com