NORMAN — Lloyd Avant is in no mood to revel in Oklahoma’s new-found offensive success, especially when it comes to running the ball.
The Sooners’ running back is turning his attention to how the Sooners can sustain that success.
“Just going and doing what we do best,” Avant said after Monday’s practice, “going back to the basics.”
Avant had 13 carries for 55 yards in Oklahoma’s 23-15 win over Mississippi State.
While the win over the Bulldogs wasn’t Avant’s biggest game of the year — he ran for 79 yards in the season opener vs. UTEP and 72 yards in the Red River Rivalry victory — it was the Sooners’ best overall performance on the ground.
Oklahoma ran for a season-high 184 yards after averaging just 71.3 rushing yards per game over their previous four games.
The Sooners’ 467 yards of total offense was also their top mark of the season by 66 yards.
Tory Blaylock led the way for Oklahoma’s ground game with 12 carries for a season-high 71 yards, more than doubling his season rushing total for the second consecutive game.
“We all have love for each other in the room,” Avant said. “So just seeing one guy get loose and seeing each other all get loose, we all have love for each other. It was great seeing.”
It wasn’t just the raw numbers that saw a shift but there was a noticeable difference in the game plan as well.
The Sooners ran the ball on 12 of their first 16 plays, sticking with the run as the game developed.
Oklahoma had three rushing plays of 12 or more yards, all by different players. Blaylock had a season-long 47-yard run, Avant broke off a 19-yarder and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna had a 12-yard run.
While Michael Fasusi got plenty of credit, and deservedly so, for helping solidify the left side of the line in Saturday’s win, freshman Noah Best has also shown rapid improvements in recent weeks since settling in at left guard.
“It’s been a great thing just seeing him mature and just seeing his level of expertise and how he goes about his business,” Avant said. “... He’s a great guy, he’s physical, and he’s ready to learn.”
The Sooners will look to build on their success when they take on South Carolina at 3:15 p.m. Saturday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The Gamecocks have the No. 35 rush defense in the country, allowing just 115.1 yards per game on the ground.
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