Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton Lands SEC Honor

Last week, OU kicker Tyler Keltner was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week when he opened the season with three field goals, including a 50-yarder on his first attempt as a Sooner. Keltner also made 6-of-6 PAT kicks to land the Sooners' first SEC weekly individual player honor as a member of its new conference.

Halton provided the game-clinching play in Saturday’s 16-12 victory over Houston when he broke through the offensive line and tackled Stacy Sneed for a safety with 1:42 to play in the game.

The Cougars needed just a field goal to take the lead and took possession at their 5-yard line after a 51-yard Luke Elzinga punt. 

Halton immediately defeated his blocker and shot into the backfield to tackle Sneed in the end zone before he could cross the goal line.

Halton, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound junior, also had a quarterback sack and currently leads the Sooners with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.

“I’m just glad I was there,” he said Saturday night. “I seen the ball in his hands and I seen the (end zone) behind him. Safety. Tried to get him in the end zone, and that’s what it was, safety. The ref tried to overturn it but I was like, ‘Come on, ref. You know that’s a safety.’ "

Halton helped OU hold Houston to 58 rushing yards and 1.7 yards per carry on Saturday. He entered the season with 3.5 career TFLs and no sacks, but now ranks second among SEC defensive linemen this season with his 3.5 TFLs. He has 2.5 sacks for a loss of 20 yards.

And his first carer safety.

“It’s a moment I’ll never forget," Halton said. "It’s a moment I’ll tell my kids about. I’m just glad I got to celebrate it with my guys, because it’s us that made that play — all the hard work.”

Elzinga was a contender for this week's special teams award as he punted the ball eight times and averaged 44 yards per kick, with two 50-yard boots and five pinned inside the 20.

Linebacker Danny Stutsman was a contender for SEC Defensive Player of the Week as he contributed 15 tackles against the Cougars.

OU hosts Tulane on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.