FORT WORTH, Texas – You can’t question OU’s efforts, don’t think anyone did this. But for whatever reason, the implementation and thought process in 2024 simply left a lot to be desired.

There’s a reason Brent Venables and Team 130 went 6-6 in the Armed Forces Bowl. Unfortunately, it was on full display Friday afternoon at TCU against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.

After a great start, there was a disastrous end. OU lost 21-20 to Navy, the Sooners denied the two-point conversion with :06 remaining. Michael Hawkins Jr. was sacked on a two-point attempt.

Hawkins found Jake Roberts in the corner of the end zone to give OU a chance.

Hawkins leaves everything open, not enough

It wasn’t all pretty for the quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., but he got to the point. Passing, running, scrambling. You could see the confidence.

He created something special with a 56-yard touchdown pass Zion Kearney in the first quarter. Reverse the field and give yourself a chance to make the throw.

OU had six drops. Some of them have – there’s no other way to say it – stopped scoring drives. Period. But Hawkins kept coming.

He took a few hits, lost a fumble, but did his best to prove himself as an offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle exactly what he can do.

Hawkins threw for 247 yards and ran for 61 yards. But it wasn’t enough. He was also responsible for two touchdowns.

Allergic to success, even in a bowl game

Falls, penalties. You name it. OU had a real chance to separate on the scoreboard in the first half. Up 14-0 and it could have been a lot worse. It should have been much worse.

However, as the game progressed, errors kept piling up. Dropped passes from receivers that could have been potentially game-changing.

A 56-yard touchdown run by Hawkins was wiped out by a penalty. OU just couldn’t get out of the way. Even someone as stout as the suitor Luke Elzinga couldn’t avoid it. He had an 11-yard punt in the first half that led to Navy’s first touchdown.

It’s just incredibly hard to figure out why it just kept happening. The defense allowed big play after big play, including a 95-yard touchdown run by Blake Horvath that set a Navy record. Simply unreal.

Next

Take a breath…or take a drink. The 2024 season is over for OU. The Sooners will now look to fill their needs in the transfer portal and prepare for 2025.