Sooner Report: Offense Prepares for Clemson

Sooners Ready For Bowl Challenge

The Sooners' offense faces a big task in the Russell Athletic Bowl on a stingy Clemson team that ranks No. 1 in the country in total defense, allowing a mere 259.6 yards per game.

Coached by former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables, Clemson has allowed only 22 offensive touchdowns and gives up an average of 4.03 yards per play. Although the task ahead is stiff, many Sooners are looking forward to the test and competing against their former coach.

“They just do everything. They throw the playbook at people,” senior offensive lineman Tyrus Thompson said. “They have really athletic guys who are really fast and they know what they are doing. It will be fun playing Coach (Venables) again. He was here when I was a redshirt freshman on the scout team, so it will be fun.”

Don't count the Sooners out, though. Ranked No. 10 in the nation in scoring (38.9 ppg) and No. 19 in the country in total offense (480.5 ypg), OU is poised to take on the Tigers with weapons such as running back Samaje Perine, who averages 6.6 yards per carry and has recorded 21 touchdowns of his own.

Perine has anchored an Oklahoma rushing offense that ranks eighth in the country, averaging 268.6 yards per game on the ground, the best total by the Sooners in 25 years. Players like Perine have given the Sooner offense the confidence it needs according to senior tight end Blake Bell.

“It's awesome knowing you can go out there against the number one defense and knowing that you can compete,” Bell said. “We see our offense as a top in the country too and just to be able to go out there and play against them. It's going to be fun.”

Knight Gets Back Into Rhythm

OU sophomore quarterback Trevor Knight, whose MVP performance led the Sooners to an impressive Sugar Bowl win against Alabama a year ago, will return to the field in Orlando after being sidelined for three games due to injury. While redshirt freshman Cody Thomas filled in admirably in his absence, team leaders like Thompson are excited to have one of their team captains back at the controls of the Oklahoma offense.

“It's always great to have your leader back,” the senior offensive tackle said. “He takes a lot of pressure off us and he does a lot of work for the receivers, helping them out a lot. So it is really big for the team.”

Junior wide receiver Durron Neal is also eager to have Knight back on the field and said he has settled back into the practice routine.

“Just to have him back out there with his leadership and his energy and all the experience that comes with his game is good for us receivers to get back on the same page with the quarterback we started with,” Neal said. “We kind of got back in a rhythm right away. He hadn't thrown a ball in a while, so we knocked a little rust off. The ball is coming just as they were prior to him getting hurt, and every day I can see him improving.“

Ripkowski Leads Sooners in the Trenches

With the bulk of Aaron Ripkowski's work coming behind the scenes, the senior fullback's three-touchdown display vs. Oklahoma State thrust him into the spotlight. Despite making multiple appearances in the end zone in recent weeks, don't think for a minute that “Rip” has turned into a touchdown-scoring prima donna who has forgotten his blue-collar roots.

“No mistake that I love the dirty work and I love what I do,” Ripkowski said. “But at the same time it's also great to get out there and showcase what else I can do.”

Throughout the season, Ripkowski has done it all. Well-known on the team for his blocking abilities, he has also contributed in carries and receptions that have converted short-yardage situations as well as recording four touchdowns on the season.

One of his favorite jobs, though, is being considered an “honorary offensive-lineman.”

“I don't eat as much as them, obviously, but at the same time it's honorable to be accepted into that fraternity, that group of guys,” Ripkowski grinned. “Those guys are hard workers and they do the same thing I do, except I do it on a little different scale and a little different area but it's always great for somebody to call you their brother. It's kind of uplifting.”

Samaje Perine

More Honors for Striker, Perine

Junior linebacker Eric Striker and freshman running back Samaje Perine have both been named to the Associated Press All-America Third Team, it was announced Tuesday.

Last week, both student-athletes earned All-Big 12 First Team honors from both AP and the conference's coaches. Perine was also voted the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year.

Striker owns 14.0 career sacks, tying him with Rocky Calmus for the highest total accumulated by an Oklahoma linebacker. He leads the Sooners in sacks (7.5) and TFL (14.0) in 2014. The Seffner, Fla., native has played in 38 games (25 starts) in his career, totaling 112 tackles, 24.5 TFL, 14.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and six pass breakups.

Perine set the FBS single-game record with 427 rushing yards against Kansas on Nov. 22. He leads all FBS freshmen and ranks eighth overall in the nation by averaging 131.6 rushing yards per game. His 1,579 rushing yards rank as the seventh-best single season total in OU annals. The prep standout from Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, Texas, is one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

Russell Athletic Bowl Info

For complete Russell Athletic Bowl coverage and to purchase tickets, go to the Oklahoma Bowl Center.

Pricing options for the Russell Athletic Bowl tickets are as follows:

· $60-75 – Terrace Level (200 Level)

· $100 - $110 – Plaza level (P36-P40)

The OU Athletics Ticket Office will also accept orders in person or via phone during regular business hours at (405) 325-2424 or toll-free (800) 456-GoOU.