Oklahoma Sooners Look to Revive Season with Quarterback Change
In a bid to turn their season around, the Oklahoma Sooners have announced that sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold will start under center when they face off against No. 18 Ole Miss on Saturday.
A New Chapter for Arnold
Arnold, who began the season as the team’s starter, had not appeared in a game since September 21. However, he was called upon to replace freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. in the first quarter of the Sooners’ 35-9 loss to South Carolina last weekend. Arnold completed 18 of his 36 passes for 225 yards with a touchdown in the Week 8 loss, which dropped Oklahoma to 4-3 and 1-3 in SEC play.
The Return of Arnold
Arnold’s return to the starting lineup marks his fifth appearance this fall, officially burning his opportunity to redshirt and leaving him with two seasons of eligibility remaining. The former five-star prospect will make his first start since being benched in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee in Week 4, back under center on the road against a Rebels pass rush that has tallied 24 sacks, seventh most nationally.
Coaching Changes
The move to stick with Arnold at quarterback comes just over 24 hours after Oklahoma fired first-year offensive coordinator Seth Littrell on Sunday evening. Littrell, the former North Texas coach, lasted just seven games as the Sooners’ playcaller and left the job with Oklahoma ranked 128th in total offense and last in the SEC in rushing yards (112.1), third-down efficiency (27.5%) and first downs (120). Co-offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley is set to take over interim playcalling duties for the Sooners in Littrell’s place.
Injury Update
Leading pass catcher Deion Burks is day-to-day ahead of the trip to Ole Miss, while wide receiver Jalil Farooq — who has not appeared since the Sooners’ Week 1 win over Temple — remains a “few weeks away” from returning to the field.
A Fresh Start
With a new quarterback at the helm and a revamped coaching staff, the Oklahoma Sooners are looking to revive their season and get back on track. Will Arnold be able to lead the team to victory against Ole Miss? Only time will tell.
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