Happy Friday, friends and fans!

Episode Two of the Oklahoma Sooners’ mini-series ‘The Standard’ dropped on Thursday. In this particular behind the scenes look, OU aims to rebound from back-to-back losses with a win over the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown.

Also featured in this episode are players like sophomore TE Austin Stogner and redshirt junior WR Charleston Rambo. These two offensive playmakers speak about the early beginnings of their eventual Sooner careers, as well as their pre-existing ties to the Lone Star State. Plus, Clark Stroud explains how his job as director of football operations has evolved through the pandemic over the last six months.

Once again, Oklahoma is on the cutting edge of brand presentation and content delivery. Stick around for the next episode, because there is sure to be a lot more in store as the 2020 season carries on. In case you missed the first episode of ‘The Standard’, you can check it out right here.

Now onto this week’s Friday edition of Hot Links! Oklahoma’s QB room looks as strong as it has all season, OU special teams turned in a special performance last time out, KC adds another dynamic playmaker to its arsenal and more!

OU Links

• Redshirt freshman QB Spencer Rattler caught up with FOX College Football’s Reggie Bush to talk about the highs and lows of his performance against Texas last Saturday while also taking a look at some of his best throws of the day. It’s always cool to see the sport’s past greats chat it up with the stars of today.

• Speaking of OU’s quarterback play, backup Tanner Mordecai spelled Rattler in the second quarter after his back-to-back turnovers, and steadied the waters in his relieving role. Going forward, the Sooners’ QB room should be much more confident knowing it has a pair of players who can right the ship at the drop of a golden hat, writes the Norman Transcript’s Joe Buettner.
• In last weekend’s 4OT thriller, Oklahoma’s offense and defense each made game changing plays that ultimately led to its 53-45 win, but those weren’t the only phases of the game that significantly affected the outcome. A blocked punt, blocked field goal and long punt return from OU’s special teams units also played a huge part in the Sooners’ Red River victory.

• Both Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch understand that there is a problem with this current OU team and closing in the fourth quarter. In each of the three Big 12 games played thus far, Oklahoma has seen leads in the final 15 minutes of regulation evaporate entirely. Fortunately, it did not cost them against Texas, but the problem still needs to be addressed. SI Sooners’ John Hoover has more on how the staff has tasked themselves with fixing the issues.
• Newcomers in the Sooners’ secondary like Woodi Washington and Joshua Eaton saw their share of action inside the Cotton Bowl last week. With the talent they possess, perhaps they hold the key to sparking Oklahoma’s return to defensive respectability. The Athletic’s Jason Kersey has more (subscription required).
• Lon Kruger does not yet have an update on the eligibility of two transfer guards OU acquired this offseason, writes SI Sooners’ Parker Thune.
• In case you missed it, BreakingT designer Nick Torres came up with this sweet Red River themed t-shirt to commemorate Oklahoma’s epic four-OT win over Texas. Not only will the Sooners retain the Golden Hat Trophy for another year, but the river that borders these two states indeed still runs red. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate one of the wildest games in the history of the series than to add this baby to your OU wardrobe right away!

Around the Sports World

• Shortly after being released by the New York Jets, RB Le’Veon Bell has reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, and the rich get richer.
• While Kansas Jayhawks head coach Les Miles has been medically cleared to return to his team after testing positive for COVID-19, he’s chosen to opt out of traveling with the KU football team for their upcoming road game against the West Virginia Mountaineers, citing precautionary reasons.
• On Thursday, the Los Angeles Clippers promoted Tyronn Lue to a five-year deal as the organization’s next head coach. Lue was last a head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.
• After 13 seasons with the Houston Rockets, general manager Daryl Morey has reportedly stepped down from the role.
• Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa hammered a ball from Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Anderson out of the park for a walk-off 4-3 win. With the late homer, the ‘Stros kept their 2020 MLB postseason dreams alive and have forced a Game 6 in the ALCS. Tampa currently leads the series, 3-2.

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