Hey friends and fans, before dishing on today’s links, I’d like to use this moment to remember the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. On this day 18 years ago, this nation and the world changed forever, and the terrorism inflicted on the World Trade Centers not only took thousands of lives but also affected millions of others. If you haven’t already, make some time to tell everyone you love and care for how much they mean to you, because you never know when the next time could be your last chance.

Now let’s move onto today’s Hot Links! Joe Washington talks Jalen Hurts’ shoe game, Oklahoma’s offensive line still has plenty of room to improve, Christian Yelich’s incredible 2019 season is over and more!

OU Links

• If you didn’t believe in the Lincoln Riley effect before, you ought to believe in it now. For all he accomplished at Alabama, Jalen Hurts never led the nation in passing efficiency from a clean pocket with the Crimson Tide. Now he’s the clear leader in the category. Just facts.

• Jalen Hurts held onto his lead in ESPN’s Heisman Watch through the second weekend of this 2019 college football season. He’ll have another chance to boost his resume on the road this Saturday at UCLA.
• Speaking of Hurts, former Oklahoma Sooners running back great Joe Washington weighed in on the Oklahoma QB’s choice of tape around his cleats, writes the OU Daily’s George Stoia. Of course, Joe is an expert on fly kicks because he rocked those iconic silver shoes back in the day.
• Alex Grinch has been pleased with Neville Gallimore’s development and play through two games, and expects him to continue to anchor the middle of Oklahoma’s defensive line going forward, writes OU Insider’s RJ Young.
• Even after posting some of the best offensive statistics in the nation through two games, Oklahoma’s offensive line is far from a finished product and won’t settle for anything less than the standard.

• Speaking of the O-line, Bill Bedenbaugh hasn’t been satisfied from all that he’s seen from his mostly new group up front. The number of penalties in the first two games has been way too high, and the pass protection hasn’t been consistent. Fortunately, he’s proven himself as the right coach for the job time and again.

• According to Pro Football Focus, Parnell Motley leads all FBS cornerbacks in completions allowed percentage after giving up only one reception on 12 targets.

• Starting strong safety Delarrin Turner-Yell is nicknamed ‘Trouble’, and Eric Bailey from the Tulsa World has the scoop on how and why he gained that moniker.
• FOX always does a great job in their college football promos, and its Oklahoma at UCLA TV spot is no exception.

Around the Sports World

• New England Patriots WR Antonio Brown is in the news again, but this time in regards to a very serious sexual assault allegation. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, made an appearance on SportsCenter to retort on behalf of his client.

• Team USA has been eliminated from the FIBA World Cup Tournament after losing to France, 89-79.
• Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich is done for the remainder of the season after fouling a ball off his right knee, resulting in a fractured patella.
• Cleveland Browns superstar WR Odell Beckham Jr. said he will continue to wear his $190K watch during games. I don’t exactly know what statement that’s supposed to make, but to each their own, I suppose.
• Lionel Messi will reportedly miss Barcelona’s match against Valencia this weekend as he has yet to recover from a calf injury sustained on Aug. 5.

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