The Oklahoma Sooners will be back in action this week, as they’ll host their final nonconference game of the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon. OU will welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes to Norman, with this game serving as one final tune-up before the rest of the SEC slate.
The Sooners should have little trouble dispatching the Golden Flashes, and Oklahoma is in line to keep their undefeated season intact heading into Texas week.
With that being said, there’s an opportunity for more of OU’s younger pieces to see extended time on the field this weekend if the Sooners take care of business early. While Oklahoma has a few true freshmen in the starting rotation, the coaching staff may also get a look at a few of the more seldom-used first-year players on Saturday.
Here are three freshmen to watch for when Oklahoma takes on Kent State.
1. Tory Blaylock, RB
With the Sooners turning to Michael Hawkins Jr. at quarterback in the wake of John Mateer’s injury, it’s all the more important that Oklahoma finds a running game before Red River arrives. That means Tory Blaylock, who had a tough day against Auburn, will be asked to have a similar performance to the one he had against Temple, where he ran for 100 yards.
2. Courtland Guillory, DB
Courtland Guillory had a tough outing against Auburn, as wide receiver Cam Coleman got the better of him a few times. However, it shows exactly what the coaching staff thinks of Guillory that they trusted him to cover Coleman on an island for much of the game. He should bounce back this week, as Kent State doesn’t have anyone who can challenge him the way Coleman did.
3. Owen Hollenbeck, OL
With senior center Troy Everett out for the season, the starting job in the middle of the offensive line belongs fully to Stanford transfer Jake Maikkula. Listed behind him is true freshman Owen Hollenbeck. With the Sooners expecting to win big on Saturday, maybe the coaching staff would like to see some of what they’ve got in their backup center before he has to be pressed into action in the SEC.
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