Taylor Wein flew over Alabama’s line like a long-jumper.
With two seconds remaining in the first half last Saturday, Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty lined up to attempt a 36-yard field goal attempt, aiming to tie the game at halftime. As Talty launched his kick, Wein, who had landed in front of him milliseconds earlier, got a piece of it.
“Nah, that was just all instincts … I’m kidding, that’s all practice,” Wein said. “We drew it up. I just had to clear the guy and I was able to get a fingertip on it and that’s all it took. We needed that, that was huge going into half.”
Later on, in the third quarter, Wein exploded past the Crimson Tide’s right tackle like an Olympic sprinter, sacking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, knocking the ball loose and resulting in the Sooners’ third turnover. OU converted the takeaway into a field goal, which put it ahead for good.
In the absence of star defensive end R Mason Thomas, Wein’s plays were two of the most significant during OU’s 23-21 road victory over Alabama. In addition, the redshirt sophomore defensive end logged three tackles, two quarterback hurries and earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
His blocked field goal attempt was the Sooners’ first since Perrion Winfrey’s field goal block against Texas in 2020. The strip sack was Wein’s first career forced fumble and he now has 4.5 sacks and a team-leading 12 tackles for loss this season.
“He was fantastic. He’s exactly who he has been all year. One of our best defensive players,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “He’s a guy that’s a lot of fun to be around. He has an innocence to him. He loves for you to push him. He’s willing to have the truthful conversations that really good players who are going to improve and develop need to be willing to have.
“He was really disruptive again. Made some huge plays tonight that were real critical, pivotal plays in the game. Really proud of him.”
Wein stepped up big without Thomas, perhaps OU’s best defensive player. Thomas injured himself during a 71-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Sooners’ win over Tennessee on Nov. 1.
“The standard here is that you’re going to prepare and perform like a star,” Wein said. “R Mason’s not playing, that’s huge. It sucks … He’s a gamechanger. But at the end of the day, it’s a next-man-up mentality.”
The lone rub against the Sooners’ defense early this season was its inability to create turnovers. They’ve silenced those critics the past couple of games.
While OU put itself in prime position to make the playoffs with the win, it still needs to take care of business at home against Missouri on Saturday. Turnovers will be key, which Wein says is all about habits.
The same habits that led to his miraculous fingertip block.
“It comes in bunches,” Wein said. “We work a turnover circuit every day in practice, so the biggest thing is that this has got to reflect in the game, so attacking it more and more and really working it and emphasizing it in practice that it shows up on game day.”
OU football stock report
Stock rising
Coach Brent Venables: After nearly four seasons of constant ups and downs, Venables made a statement. He proved he’s the right leader for the Sooners, likely solidifying their place in the CFP. Venables has done a tremendous job of building culture, developing players over time and recruiting some of the nation’s best talent. He finally got his signature win.
Punter Grayson Miller: After not being named a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, the UCO transfer put together another stellar outing on the road. His 44-yard punt to pin Alabama at its own 6-yard line was one of the most underrated plays in the win. Miller now ranks ninth nationally in average yards per punt.
Stock falling
OU’s offense: The Sooners’ offense is still a work in progress. It didn’t give the ball away, but offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s unit was outgained 406-212 against the Crimson Tide. OU’s defense is so good it can keep it in any game, but if the Sooners want to make a deep playoff run, they’re going to need more from the other side of the ball.
Wide receiver Deion Burks: When he transferred from Purdue prior to the 2024 season, there were expectations Burks could be an All-American player and potential NFL first-rounder for OU. He hasn’t met those lofty heights. Burks caught only two passes for 19 yards against Alabama. The Sooners need a playmaker or two to step up on offense down the stretch.
Redshirt tracker: Deep freshman corps evidence of bright future
Venables has himself a handful of productive freshmen.
First-year offensive linemen Michael Fasusi and Ryan Fodje started again this past weekend. Cornerback Courtland Guillory impressed, often matching up with one of the nation’s best receivers in Alabama’s Ryan Williams.
- Played in five or more games, not eligible to redshirt: Running back Tory Blaylock, wide receiver Emmanuel Choice, offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, offensive lineman Ryan Fodje, cornerback Courtland Guillory, wide receiver Elijah Thomas and safety Omarion Robinson
- Played in three games, still eligible to redshirt: Defensive lineman Trent Wilson
- Played in two games, still eligible to redshirt: Cornerback Maliek Hawkins and cornerback Trystan Haynes
- Played in one game, still eligible to redshirt: Linebacker Marcus James, quarterback Jett Niu, defensive lineman Alex Shieldnight and tight end Trynae Washington
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.