Brent Venables is proud of Oklahoma, but Sooners can't rest after win over Texas
It was a huge win for Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and his Sooners program. In fact, it was the biggest win in the Venables era thus far. Last season's 52-42 win over No. 19 Kansas in Norman pales in comparison.
Facing the No. 3 Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in the last Big-12 rendition of the Red River Rivalry, Venables' team came away with a last-minute 34-30 victory. Down 30-27 after a Texas field goal with 1:17 to go, quarterback Dillon Gabriel didn't just lead the Sooners down the field to play for overtime.
Oklahoma played for keeps.
That was a statement win for the Sooners, who are now firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation, but Oklahoma can't rest on its laurels after such a big win. That was something Venables talked about immediately after the contest.
“They celebrate hard, [but] don’t celebrate long. We’ve got to get back to work," Venables said (h/t On3). "Really, just proud of all the people that have been a part of that.”
Now ranked No. 5 in the nation, the Sooners will have the target placed on their backs. They still have several big games upcoming, including a clash at No. 23 Kansas in a few weeks as well as potentially the final edition of the "Bedlam" rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State (in Stillwater) on Nov. 4.
Still, for just a little bit, it has to feel great for Oklahoma to get this win — especially after last season's 49-0 blowout.
“Players. Their commitment, their work. It was really, really — you know, thankful for them. Happy for them. That moment. They get a chance to get their pride back," Venables continued. "That was a tough moment a year ago. Just really happy for them, that they could have a moment like that because they deserve it. They’ve worked for it. Just a moment."
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