Oklahoma and South Carolina are on a mission to build momentum when they face off Saturday in

South Carolina Pursues Momentum Against Oklahoma in Norman

Oklahoma and South Carolina are on a mission to build momentum when they face off Saturday in Norman, Okla. The Gamecocks arrive in Oklahoma on the heels of back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, having beaten Florida and Tennessee.

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After defeating Tennessee 27-24 last week, South Carolina sits at 4-3 overall and 2-3 in SEC play. The program is looking for just its second winning streak of three or more games in the conference since Shane Beamer took over.

Coach Shane Beamer said of turning the page after the win over the Vols, that they can’t let that be the highlight of the season. He added it would be disappointing if that’s the highlight.

Those consecutive victories come right after a difficult three-game losing skid.

The Sooners’ Ground Game and Line Shifts

On the other sideline, the Sooners are also trying to string together consecutive wins for the first time this season, having alternated victories and losses up to this point. Oklahoma enters the matchup at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC following a 23-15 road win against Mississippi State.

In Starkville, the Sooners posted a season-high 467 yards of total offense, including 184 yards on the ground. The left side of the line was a key factor in that offensive production, thanks to Michael Fasusi's return from a five-game injury absence and the emergence of freshman Noah Best.

“They’re all business,” offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle said of the new-look front. “They’re great teammates. They care about being really good. … They work well together. I think you saw that a little bit last week.”

Depth remains a pressing concern for Oklahoma up front. Guards Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje missed the Mississippi State contest, and starting center Jake Maikkula suffered an injury in the second half.

Defensive Pressure Points in Norman

That banged-up offensive line will immediately face a severe test against South Carolina’s pass rush, which features disruptive edge rusher Dylan Stewart. Stewart forced a crucial fumble in the final minute against Tennessee, setting up the Gamecocks’ game-winning field goal.

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“He can wreck a game if you let him,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said of Stewart. “And he goes out there and he makes it happen, especially whenever the biggest moments call for it. So we have to be ready.”

Oklahoma counters with a defense ranked 11th nationally in yardage allowed per game, eighth in passing yards allowed, and first in fewest first downs allowed. It is a unit that makes a distinct impression on opposing coaching staffs.

“It’s a blur when you watch them on tape,” Beamer said. “Just the amount of scheme that they throw at you, the amount of effort that they play with. They are absolutely relentless.”