During a college football game, there will be highs and lows. How a player responds to that is the ultimate test of their ability and character.
That is even more true if you are a defensive back. Those players need a short memory. They'll get beat in games, but if they mope or get upset, it could be a long day. Oklahoma Sooners
cornerback Courtland Guillory is the perfect example of having a short memory.Against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, Guillory was flagged for pass interference with under a minute left, setting Texas up around midfield. Guillory could have easily pouted, but instead he refocused and came away with the game-clinching interception two plays later.
Head coach Brent Venables praised Guillory's mental toughness during the game.
"His mental toughness is as good as I've been around," Venables said. "We were talking about it in (Sunday's) meeting. Not everything is going to go your way. How you respond. Your ability to focus and refocus for four quarters is incredibly important... He did all of the things fundamentally right in one of the biggest moments of the game."
Guillory's response against Texas could define his season and set an example for the rest of the Oklahoma defense. His ability to move past the penalty and make a decisive play showed the kind of resilience Venables wants from his team. In close games, that mental toughness can matter as much as physical ability, especially when one mistake can change the outcome.
As the Sooners move deeper into SEC play, they will need that same next-play mentality in every game. Guillory has already shown he can respond under the highest pressure, and his game-clinching interception gives Oklahoma another play to build on after the Texas upset. If the defense continues to trust its technique, stay composed and capitalize on key opportunities, the Sooners will be better positioned to keep their momentum going.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Courtland Guillory praised for his 'mental toughness' against Texas
