'These guys laid it on the line': Brent Venables celebrating Sooners win over Michigan
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Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners earned a statement win on Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd inside the friendly confines of Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. John Mateer and the Oklahoma defense stole the show in a top 25 matchup that had the eyes of the nation watching.
It was a huge win for Venables with OU coming off of a 6-7 season, marred by an offense that was one of the worst in the nation in 2024. Even though Oklahoma eased to a 35-3 win last week, this game against Michigan was a chance to make a statement. And make a statement they did.
Oklahoma's defense never let former five-star quarterback and true freshman Bryce Underwood get comfortable. Aside from Justice Haynes' 75-yard touchdown run to start the second half, the one blemish on a stellar night for the Oklahoma defense, the Sooners held the vaunted Michigan run game in check.
After everything that happened last year and the long offseason that followed, Venables was excited to celebrate with his team. They even lifted the head ball coach on their shoulders during the team celebration.
"I mean, you gotta celebrate winning," Venables told ESPN's Holly Rowe after the game. "These guys laid it on the line. There's a lot of guys that have been through a lot of pain. A guy, a team that's been through a lot of pain, he don't walk the same. These guys are incredibly hungry, they're driven, they love each other. Really cool to see them, just the resolve in the team, the belief."
“You’ve gotta celebrate winning.” Brent Venables @OU_Football pic.twitter.com/GuOahVM1ol— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) September 7, 2025
Venables went on to explain that the goals are bigger than just being 2-0. They have high expectations and next they want to be 1-0 when they travel to Philadelphia to face Temple next Saturday.
But this win sets the stage for what could be a magical season in Norman. The schedule is fraught with challenges, especially over the final two months of the regular season. But this was the first big test and Oklahoma passed with flying colors.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Brent Venables celebrates win with team, discusses win with Holly Rowe
