In the Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, several plays went awry, and the game slipped from their grasp. But that's what happens when you have an offense that struggles to find consistency. However, one of the most controversial decisions came early in the game from the special teams unit.
In the second quarter, with the Sooners trailing 7-3, Oklahoma drove to the Kentucky 10-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-2, Oklahoma elected to send the field goal unit onto the field. Prior to the snap, kicker Tate Sandell motioned out of the backfield, and after receiving the snap, holder Jacob Ulrich pressed the line of scrimmage before attempting a jump pass to an open Rocky Beers.
The ball sailed over the head of the Sooners tight end
and into the arms of Kentucky safety Jordan Castell for the first of four Sooners interceptions on the night.
A week after special teams was the Sooners' hero, it got off to a rough start against Kentucky with the missed fake field goal.
But in his post-game press conference, head coach Brent Venables shared his thoughts on the play.
Venables said, "really liked the call, and our guy was open like we thought he would be, and I thought the again we we we just missed on the the throw... Liked the play call. Wouldn't change it.”
The play was open. At the same time, asking your punter to throw that pass with an opportunity to get at least three points felt desperate.
Kentucky came into the game allowing 28 points per game and ranked 108th in the nation in scoring defense. Oklahoma moved the ball and outgained the Wildcats for three quarters. The Sooners' defense played a strong game and gave the Sooners a chance to win.
With a defense like Oklahoma's, it's important to take points when you get the opportunity. Ultimately, it was a huge moment that could have changed the outcome.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 'Wouldn't change it': Brent Venables on Oklahoma's fake field goal
