NORMAN, Okla. (KOKH) -- Sooner fans were able to get their first glimpse of the new team that will be taking the field this fall when football season officially kicks off.
On Saturday, fans flocked to Gaylord Family- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to watch the Sooners participate in their annual spring game.
Much of the anticipation centered around new OU TE Coach Jason Whitten, who will be coaching his first season with the Sooners this year. In recent seasons, the tight ends have been a sore spot for the offense and many OU fans wondered how different they may look under the new coach.
OU Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle says the unit has evolved since Whitten took over the reins.
"It's awesome whenever you have those big guys who are athletic who can help you in the run game but then they can also be a threat out in the vertical passing game, the flat passing game. Those guys have dove deep into the system, into the coaching that they're getting from Jason. They hold themselves accountable. Coach Whitten holds them accountable and they get better every day. It's not often that you see them make the same mistake twice. It's not often. They're hungry to get better, all of them. Those new guys who came in, they dove in headfirst and they owned what that room needs to be and what it needs to become. It's just been exciting getting to watch them work. And getting to see Coach Whitten coach them and continuously seeing them progress," Arbuckle said.
In addition to the tight ends, Arbuckle says OU star quarterback John Mateer has been working to improve his game from last season.
"We know the type of offense we want to be and John fully understands it too. The better we get at one thing, the easier his life gets in another thing. He's as committed and dove deep into all facets of the offense, specifically the run game, as any coach, as any player, and the stuff that we ask him to do within it. .. He goes out and he attacks it. It's been awesome to watch because you just see him developing and growing his football IQ even more and himself as a player even more," he said.
Although there were some highlights from the spring game, coaches said it also put a spotlight on areas they need to work on and improve before the start of the season.
"The running backs, they ran violent, they ran hard downhill. They were able to break some trash arm tackles and there was a couple times in there whenever it got kind of clogged up that they pushed the pile and fought for extra yardage. I think that's huge. So proud of those running backs and it's been awesome with the O-Line and the tight ends, just the mindset that kind of goes into it. They've been attacking it, they've been kind of taking it personal and not just in the spring game but in the spring practices. I've just been proud of how they've accepted thechallenge and ran toward the challenge. There was some good stuff today, but we can always get better. It ain't good enough, it ain't and we'vegot to keep on getting better. So those kids understand that and they're ready to keep on rolling," Arbuckle said.
Although it isn't exactly the same as a game day in September or October, OU Head Coach Brent Venables says these types of situations help the younger players and transfers get a taste of what it actually feels like to play on Owen Field.
"I'm thankful for the group of people that came. I thought it was awesome. This is an amazing weekend. If you're a Sooner fan and you ever thought of making the trip, this is the weekend for lots of reasons. Obviously, the spring game is a good snapshot of what this team is going to look like and get a chance to know the new team, the new players. ... It was a great crowd out there today. You've seen a lot of other programs across the country that are having spring game days, and I don't know what the numbers are, but I thought that was a great crowd and again, for our players, getting in front of them, being able to simulate a game day was great," he said.
As for what is expected this season, Venables says he believes they have the right players and coaches in place. In the end, it will all be up to how badly the players want to win.
"Whether it's the Playoffs or you've got vision to be a Championship contender, you don't do that in September and October. It takes a whole out-of-season to put yourself in a position to do that. And are we willing to be able to do that? Is that an area that takes another huge step? Because a huge step is what it does require. But I think we've got the right people. If I've learned something and I've watched something, I think people matter. Hunger, toughness, humility, and the willingness to show up every day and go do it. So far, so good. Let's check back in a couple of months."