What OU football coach Brent Venables said about Bedlam, Justin Broiles' injury

NORMAN — It didn't look good for OU defensive back Justin Broiles when he was helped off the field in Saturday's 23-20 loss to West Virginia.

Broiles spent the rest of the game on the sidelines without a helmet, encouraging his teammates.

It looked like his Sooners career could be over.

But Brent Venables said Tuesday that the injury wasn't as severe as it initially looked.

He said Broiles suffered a hyperextended knee on the play, and that the injury was extremely painful initially but that pain had subsided in the days since.

"He's really, really tough," Venables said.

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Venables appeared to be much more open about injury updates than he has been for much of the season.

He said defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, who played just three plays against the Mountaineers, was dealing with a knee injury that had been lingering but had cropped back up in the week prior to that game.

Center Andrew Raym's status is up in the air after he left Saturday's game.

"Just depends on how Andrew feels," Venables said. "At some point in time we'll probably have to do a surgery for him."

Robert Congel replaced Raym at center.

Venables also said Key Lawrence and Jaden Davis, who both missed Saturday's game, were likely to return for Saturday's Bedlam matchup (6:30 p.m., ABC).

"They were both running around last night," Venables said.

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Venables: 'Margin is small'

Brent Venables said the mistakes the Sooners are making now are different than early in the season.

"They're not all the same. Some of them — a false start is a false start. The timing of it (matters)," Venables said at his Tuesday press conference.

Venables talked about the Sooners' recent penalty numbers, including this season when they're averaging a Big 12-worst 55.2 penalty yards per game.

"We've been able to overcome it in the past," Venables said. "We can't (now). The margin for error is very small.

"t begins and ends with me. It's my responsibility. I'm doing a very poor job."

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Venables remembers first Bedlam

What's the first Bedlam memory that comes to mind from the 1999 game, Brent Venables' first on OU's staff?

"I remember Stockar McDougle scoring on the jumbo offense," Venables said. "That was kind of cool."

The Sooners won that game, 44-7.

"It was like a Super Bowl for us," Venables said. "That's what I remember."

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How important has Eric Gray been?

Sooners running back Eric Gray topped the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career with his performance against West Virginia.

Even during OU's struggles, Gray has been a bright spot.

"Eric's kind of a quiet leader, but man, his play is really loud," Venables said. "He's having a monster season."

Gray has rushed for 1,113 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

It's not just with the ball where Gray has been important, Venables said.

"He's been outstanding in blitz pickup as well," Venables said.

Venables wasn't done talking about Gray.

"He's a perfectionist," Venables said. "He cares about his teammates. ... I think the best reward you can have is the respect of your teammates and he has that."

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How did Jeremiah Criddell becoming a student coach come about?

During preparation for the Alamo Bowl last December, Jeremiah Criddell was still on the roster as a player.

But Criddell knew by then that his playing career was done due to repeated injuries, and that he wanted to coach.

At one of the bowl practices, Criddell found Brent Venables, who was there as an observer after being hired to replace Lincoln Riley.

"We had 20-30 minutes where we talked through his journey," Venables said. "I loved his energy. Real infectious personality. ... He expressed a desire to potentially stick around and coach. I was all for that. The game ends for everyone. What's cool is the game's been so good to him that he wanted an opportunity to stay around the game."

"He's going to be a terrific coach. He's got great relational skills. Really, really bright, great communicator, full of energy."

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Venables says Big 12 says flag on Coldon hit should've stood

Early in the fourth quarter against West Virginia, the Mountaineers got a free play when Gracen Halton jumped offsides on fourth-and-15.

Sooners' cornerback C.J. Coldon picked off Garrett Greene's pass in the back of the end zone and began to take a knee. But he was hit hard by a West Virginia player.

Officials initially threw a flag, which would've resulted in replaying fourth-and-15. But after a quick huddle, the flag was picked up.

Brent Venables said Tuesday that the Big 12 responded to him about the play.

"I know they've come back and said they shouldn't have (picked up the flag)," Venables said. "It's bang-bang. (They) thought that he wasn't down yet. It's not reviewable. It happens. We're all human."

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What stands out to you about OSU QB Spencer Sanders?

In Brent Venables' mind, there's little doubt Spencer Sanders starts at quarterback for the Cowboys on Saturday.

"Who has 90-some starts as a quarterback? Incredibly experienced. He's a winner," Venables said of Sanders. "He's got a lot of moxie. You can tell he's played a lot of football."

Venables said Sanders' elusiveness, especially on scrambles, has been difficult for defenses to account for.

"Sometimes the worst thing you can do is cover everybody," Venables said.

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How has Danny Stutsman progressed this season?

Sooners' linebacker Danny Stutsman has had an up-and-down first year as a starter.

Stutsman is tied for the Big 12 lead with 91 tackles.

"I'm telling you, he's on his way to being an outstanding player," Venables said. "He's finding the football. He's getting better. He's really hard on himself. ... He takes accountability when it's not good. He's easy to coach."

Venables said the linebackers behind Stutsman, David Ugwoegbu and DaShaun White were making progress as well.

Jaren Kanak has played meaningful snaps this season, and Venables said he was working mainly at middle linebacker, though he's played mostly at Cheetah when he's seen the field.

He called Kobie McKenzie "really a striker" and that Kip Lewis, another Sooners freshman at the position, had "really come (along)."

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How does Brent Venables protect against negative recruiting?

With the Sooners' struggles on the field, Brent Venables and staff have had to work to maintain their recruiting class.

It hasn't always worked, including last week with Colton Vasek's flip to Texas.

Venables said identifying the right players and selling turning things around were important.

Venables said he still had to work to overcome negative recruiting.

"But hey, if I'm on the other side of it, I'm using it too," Venables said. "I don't mind it. I expect it. My job is to protect it and have a voice of reason."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Brent Venables talks about Bedlam, Justin Broiles injury