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Four Downs: Why OU football needs Robert Congel to have a big game vs. Texas Tech

Ryan Aber, Oklahoman
·4 min read
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LUBBOCK, Texas — With bowl eligibility secure and a Bedlam win in the rearview mirror, OU finishes the regular season with a trip to Texas Tech.

The Sooners have won 10 consecutive games against the Red Raiders and five consecutive in Lubbock.

Here’s a quick look inside the game in this week’s edition of Four Downs:

More:Tramel's ScissorTales: OU football's recent defensive rise should pay off in the future

First Down: Sooner in the Crosshairs

Oklahoma's Robert Congel (66) during the University of Oklahoma's Spring football practice in Norman, Okla. on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
Oklahoma's Robert Congel (66) during the University of Oklahoma's Spring football practice in Norman, Okla. on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Robert Congel, center: Congel made his first start of the season last week after Andrew Raym was injured at West Virginia.

Congel didn’t miss any snaps but the timing between he and quarterback Dillon Gabriel wasn’t perfect, helping slow down the Sooners’ offense.

With another full week of work, that figures to be a bit better, and with Texas Tech’s pass rush, it needs to be.

Raym was the anchor of what has been a solid offensive line this season, but he underwent surgery that will keep him out of the regular-season finale.

More:How did CJ Coldon become a breakout player for OU football? He got 'intimate with failure'

Second Down: Number to Know

38: The Sooners have scored at least 38 points in each of its last 12 games against the Red Raiders. It’s the longest streak of 38 or more points against a single opponent in school history. OU scored 38 points in 11 consecutive games against Kingfisher College from 1908-19.

During the current streak against Texas Tech, the Sooners have averaged 54.7 points per game.

More:Carlson: Is OU football overconfident after Bedlam? Mistakes should keep that in check

Third Down: Three Questions

Linebacker Kobie McKinzie (11) takes part in team drills during the University of Oklahoma's first Spring football practice at the Everest Training Center in Norman, Okla. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
Linebacker Kobie McKinzie (11) takes part in team drills during the University of Oklahoma's first Spring football practice at the Everest Training Center in Norman, Okla. on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.

Kobie McKinzie, Linebacker: The Sooners’ freshman linebacker is going back home this weekend, after starring at Lubbock Cooper High before signing with the Sooners.

What’s it going to be like playing in Lubbock? 

It’s going to be fun. There will be a lot of friends and family there who I haven’t seen in a few months. They haven’t got to see me play. It’s going to be a lot of excitement. I know a lot of guys on that roster. We’re a tight-knit group. It’s going to be fun to see them.

You’ve played the last two games — what’s that been like?

It’s been really fun. I didn’t expect it but I kind of did. Us redshirt guys, you get four games to play. I didn’t get any PT (playing time) early on. I knew somehow, they would find some way to roll me in there.

What’s it been like being here with Matt Wells, who was Texas Tech’s head coach when you initially committed to the Red Raiders?

I’ve been knowing Coach Wells since I was 15-16 years old. Being here with him, he’s helped a lot keeping my mind in it. He’s like, ‘You’ll learn. You aren’t out of it just yet.’ It’s been very good to have Coach Wells here as well.

More:OU 3-2-1 kickoff: Can the Sooners finish their regular season strong vs. Texas Tech?

Fourth Down: This Day in Sooners History

Nov. 26, 1976: These Sooners weren’t exactly known for their wide open passing attack.

OU didn’t even complete a pass in its two previous games, wins over Kansas State and Missouri.

But Barry Switzer’s team had little choice when they took over from their own 15 with 3:30 remaining against Nebraska on the road.

Woodie Shepard got the drive started with a 47-yard halfback pass to Steve Rhodes.

Facing third-and-18 at the 34, backup quarterback Dean Blevins entered for one play.

He found Rhodes in the flat, who then pitched to Elvis Peacock.

Peacock took it down to the 2, then scored on the next play for his third touchdown of the game — his second of the fourth quarter.

Shepard’s pass was the first of the day for the Sooners, who gained a share of the Big Eight championship with the 20-17 victory over the Cornhuskers.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Robert Congel needs big game for Sooners vs. Texas Tech