When Hawkins’ score was retracted for holding, the enthusiastic audience, who had been standing, became noticeably dejected.
Once more, a mistake rendered positive yardage useless, and the Sooners (6-7, 2-6 SEC) lost 21-20 to Navy (10-3, 7-2 AAC) at Fort Worth, suffering their second losing season since 1999, both under third-year head coach Brent Venables.
After the game, Venables remarked, “We had a lot of explosive play opportunities, which have been really hard on us all year.” You get into these little windows during the game to be able to capitalize, but there are first downs, time of possession, total yards, and other stuff like that. Additionally, we just failed to perform some of the fundamental tasks that are necessary for success.
Early in the season, it was obvious that a rough path lay ahead. Hawkins benched former five-star sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold against Tennessee in Oklahoma’s fourth game and first conference game in the SEC.
Hawkins was benched for Arnold during the Sooners’ defeat at South Carolina, despite finishing 11 of 18 with 132 passing yards and 22 rushing yards. Until he committed to Auburn through the transfer portal, Arnold continued to start for the remainder of the season.
Seven passes were dropped by OU in the defeat to the Navy. Hawkins’ completion rate would have been 81.4% if all of those had been detected. Coaches, players, and fans may be thinking about the “what-ifs” of the 2024 season for a long time. A few plays determined the outcome of the game and, ultimately, the season in three of the Sooners’ conference losses, which were by 12 points or less.
The most important thing for everyone else, in my opinion, is to finish the offense as soon as possible, establish good chemistry, and make Team 131 an incredible team going into this season,” Hawkins stated. “Just by remaining united.
With new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle taking over in 2025, Oklahoma seeks to improve its offensive identity. Compared to OU’s average of 24.3 points per game and 14 passing touchdowns, Arbuckle led Washington State’s attack to 36.8 points per game and 30 throwing touchdowns in 2024.
During the season, the Sooners’ defense was the best, but some important players will be leaving. Both senior safety Billy Bowman Jr. and senior linebacker Danny Stutsman submitted their draft applications for the 2025 NFL Draft.
All season long, Oklahoma’s youthful defensive core has shown promise, but it is still awaiting the decision of R Mason Thomas, a junior defensive lineman. He had nine sacks and 23 tackles at the end of the season.
During OU’s postgame radio interview, Thomas stated, “I’m still in deep thought right now.” “I’m considering the advantages and disadvantages.”
Regardless of any additional portal arrivals or exits, OU needs to improve as a program going forward because it dropped its third consecutive bowl game and finished 13th out of 16 teams in the conference.
To sum up the defeat to the Navy would be to sum up Oklahoma’s 2024 campaign, which was generally dismal but occasionally hopeful. Along with a redesigned roster, Venables will have a lot to show as he begins his fourth season as the Sooners’ head coach.
With the guys returning and the ones we brought in, I’m thrilled about what our next squad can become. Take no comfort in the fact that I’m quite thrilled about the foundation,” Venables remarked. “I know the players have put in a lot of work, so I’m just sad for them.
