Oklahoma-South Carolina: LIVE in-game observations

NORMAN – Sooners on SI offers real-time observations from Norman during Saturday's Week 8 game between Oklahoma and the South Carolina Gamecocks. The latest posts are at the top. Just keep your browser open and refresh it regularly.

1:07 p.m

South Carolina adds insult to injury.

They scored the two-pointer and now lead 32-3 after Sellers found a wide-open Joshua Simon for the 33-yard score.

There are 1:54 left until halftime and the Sooners are being outscored 49-14 in the “middle eight” that Brent Venables always emphasizes.

— R.C

1:01 p.m

All South Carolina wanted to do was make OU go offside on the fourth and fifth plays.

The Sooners gave the Gamecocks exactly what they wanted. R Mason Thomas was offside (as was Jayden Jackson). Even the good side of the ball makes big mistakes.

— R.C

12:54 p.m

Three different Oklahoma offensive players were beaten on that third-and-10 snap. Three.

Zach Schmit settles for a 44-yard field goal.

On the board earlier, down 24-3 with 5:17 remaining until halftime.

— R.C

12:44 p.m

Well, the defense is doing its job.

The Sooners trail just 10-0 when this unit is on the field (after getting short fields on an interception and a failed fake punt). OU loses 14-0 when the offense is on the field.

— R.C

12:40 p.m

Oklahoma loses one yard on this drive.

The offensive staff threw Kalib Hicks into the game for this series. Apparently they've reached the “try anything, literally” part of the game.

— R.C

12:34 p.m

South Carolina has to settle for a field goal after gaining excellent field position.

Kicker Alex Herrera hit the 39-yard kick to give the Gamecocks a 24-0 lead with 12:05 left in the half.

— R.C

12:33 p.m

I really thought we were going to see a fake punt today.

I didn't think it would be fourth-and-long from OU's own 26.

Absolutely brutal.

—JH

12:30 p.m

As always, it's about more than just the quarterback.

Bill Bedenbaugh continues to search for answers. For that final drive, he used Spencer Brown at right tackle.

Jackson Arnold had Bauer Sharp for a first down, but Sharp dropped him.

The Sooners then rolled the dice with a fake punt that was blown up.

South Carolina takes over at the OU 26-yard line.

— R.C

12:26 p.m

First quarter statistics. Don't look.

12:22 p.m

Michael Tarquin came back on the offensive in the final attack.

It ended with Arnold getting hit and fumbling, but the Sooners recovered so Elzinga was able to punt.

Oklahoma is dominated by South Carolina's defensive line. Disagreement is an understatement right now.

Gamecocks take control of their own 32 yard line.

— R.C

12:14 p.m

Well, something positive happened in Norman.

The defense forced a punt, so Arnold will regain control at the 20-yard line.

Low yield in the first quarter.

— R.C

12:09 p.m

Arnold's first drive back in the lineup ends with him being sacked on third-and-10.

Luke Elzinga faces his first action of the day. The defense will return to the field deep in the hole, but Elzinga has turned the field over.

The Gamecocks take over at the 20-yard line.

— R.C

12:06 p.m

Jackson Arnold steps in at quarterback. The fans cheer.

— R.C

12:02 p.m

I propose a waiver.

Emmanwori intercepted Hawkins and ran it back 65 yards for a touchdown.

South Carolina leads 21-0 with 9:33 left in the first quarter and I can honestly say I've never seen anything like it.

Good decision by Shane Beamer to go defense first.

—JH

12:03 p.m

Michael Hawkins Jr. tries to push the ball downfield to JJ Hester and is killed when he throws it.

The result? A 66-yard pick six from Nick Emmanwori. He has both interceptions.

Oklahoma trailed 21-0 with 9:33 left in the first quarter and the fans didn't hold back their boos.

— R.C

12:00 p.m

Jackson Arnold warmed up before kickoff, but it's Hawkins again. The offense brought boos from the field.

— R.C

11:57 am

I said the start couldn't get worse for Oklahoma. I'm wrong about that.

Michael Hawkins is sacked and stripped, and Tonka Hemingway returns the ball 36 yards for a touchdown.

The Sooners lead South Carolina 14-0 with 11:21 left in the first quarter.

It must be time for Jackson Arnold now, right?

He puts on his helmet and gets ready to go inside.

But as the possession begins, Hawkins is on the field and the boos have arrived.

—JH

11:52 a.m

Rocket Sanders gets around Kanak on the edge (with a little jersey grab) and gets into the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Dream start for the Gamecocks in Norman. The crowd was already out of juice and the stadium is already dead.

South Carolina is on top 7-0 with 12:33 left in the first quarter.

— R.C

11:51 a.m

Oklahoma's starters on defense:

Downs – Halton – Williams – Thomas

Kanak-Stutsman-Lewis

Walker – Bowman Jr. – Spears-Jennings – E. Bowen

— R.C

11:48 a.m

Not only is Deion Burks not in the starting lineup, he wasn't on offense as they prepared for the first play.

That first play was an interception of Michael Hawkins by Nick Emmanwori. Pretty much the worst start you could have playing in the Oklahoma offense.

Buckle up.

—JH

11:47 am

Oklahoma's starters on offense:

Sexton – Ozaeta – Everett – Nwaiwu – Taylor

Thompson-Sharp-Ragins-Hester

Hawkins Jr.-Barnes

— R.C

11:45 a.m

South Carolina won the toss and will forfeit.

For better or worse, Oklahoma's offense comes first!

— R.C

11:05 a.m

Deion Burks sits at the top of the wide receiver stretch line along with Brenen Thompson and Jaquaize Pettaway.

—JH

11:06 a.m

Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone is available today, but he has a really big throw on his right forearm. It extends from the wrist almost to the elbow.

— R.C

11:04 p.m

Brent Venables and Shane Beamer have a good fight at the 50-yard line, and there's OU athletic director Joe Castiglione patting both guys on the back and shaking their hands.

—JH

10:59 am

Again, it's no surprise that Jalil Farooq (who was called out this week) is wearing street clothes, but is definitely no longer wearing hiking boots. His eventual return would be huge for this offense.

—JH

10:56 a.m

Troy Everett snaps photos with Michael Hawkins during pregame warmups. This could be a real sign that he will start at center.

Or it could be a sign that Hawkins was demoted (probably not).

Additionally, Deion Burks goes through all of the warm-ups and doesn't seem to be particularly bothered by anything. It's still a game time decision – and there are still about 45 minutes until game time.

—JH

10:45 am

We are monitoring the kicker situation in the pre-game activities and know that we now have about an hour until kick-off.

Tyler Keltner has joined the rest of the placekicking unit after Zach Schmit got all the early work with snapper Ben Anderson and holder Josh Plaster.

Both boys are kicking now.

—JH

10:45 am

Some early news leaked out in Norman today.

First, wide receiver Deion Burks was listed as a game-time decision on the final SEC availability report prior to this game against South Carolina. Second, it looks like there will be a change at kicker for the Sooners.

The big one is preparing to launch today at 11:45 a.m

— R.C