OU coach Brent Venables reacts after Sooners’ win over Michigan: ‘Really proud of our guys’

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables praised his players and staff after the Sooners’ physical win over Michigan, calling it a hard-fought game that showed his team’s toughness.

>>> John Mateer has 2 TDs rushing, 1 passing as No. 18 Oklahoma beats No. 15 Michigan 24-13.

Venables opening statement

“A great win for our guys, our coaches, our players. They were awesome. You really showed up tonight and affected the game. It was a lot of fun to be a part of, the passion, the energy in the stadium, in the locker room, hard fought victory,” Venables said.

“Didn’t play our best game and still won. Throwing haymakers as well, but we’re super proud of our players and coaches figuring out, finding a way to win. Won a really good, tough game where, again, a lot of the statistical things, I know we won, we were minus in the turnover margin, fantastic. In the red zone was a huge difference in the game, playing some elite level defense.”

On OU’s defensive toughness

“The mindset sets the tempo for everything. I’m really proud of the toughness that our guys played with on defense time and time again, turned them back and either held them to no points or a field goal and got off the field there at the end.”

“Again, offensively, really felt like they controlled the tempo of the day. They’re playing a really good defense, very well coached. They got a great roster, an elite roster.”

On big plays and adjustments

“You know, 408 to 288. You know, we gave up the 75-yard run, put him in a bad call. You know, we got to play it better. We have to adjust it better and do some things fundamentally better, but put him in a bad call right out the gate and took the air out of the stadium. But they didn’t let him. It didn’t deter him.”

“I thought our guys were really disruptive and tight in a lot of coverage. … Held them in 38% completion percentage. … Third and fourth down, three out of 15. We were over 50%. That’s a winning formula.”

On players who stood out

“Grayson Miller, how about Grayson Miller from UCO? … Owen Heineke led the team in tackles. Walk on, a bunch of misfits, but the whole line was really good. Started off giving a game ball to Bill Bedenboe and the offensive line group. Really proud of those guys, everything that they’ve battled through.”

“Our destination isn’t to be a 2-0 and beat Michigan. We feel like we have a heck of a team and have an opportunity with a lot of big-time challenges in front of us to have a really good season. I’m really excited about what this team can become.”

“John … made some amazing plays in the first half where he broke some tackles and threw some lasers. … Barnes ran with conviction. Blaylock battled through some. … Deion Burks, a guy that was overlooked in the state of Michigan … had over 100 yards, that was awesome. Jaren Kanek … just makes plays, catches it in traffic and falls forward a lot.”

On OU’s physicality vs. Michigan

“It was a very physical game. I think, you know, they punched back, we punched, you know, went kind of back and forth. We’ve played plenty of physical games. … But it was a physical game, no question about it. … We wanted to do the hunting and I thought our guys did a great job of that.”

On late-game execution

“I just like the resolve. Nobody panicked. We kept showing back up, made the plays when we needed to, and get a nine and a half plus minute drive there in the last ten and a half minutes of the game, whatever that was. That says a lot.”

“You’re not going against sisters of the poor. You’re going against Michigan and Coach Martindale.”

On the atmosphere

“What were you thinking when you were on the shoulders of your players after the win?"

VENABLES: "I’m embarrassed. This is a players’ game first of all … We’re 2-0. … You only get 12 opportunities guaranteed at the beginning of the year. So not apologizing for celebrating, you know with the guys. They need to celebrate.”

On quarterback play

“Yeah, I mean, again, obviously you saw what he can do. He falls forward a lot. He’s got great strength and great skill. He’s a tough guy. He’s fearless. He attacks everything without fear. He believes in the guys around him. He plays within the system. I thought our guys had a really good game plan, offensive staff. But the plan of the scheme is only as good as the players that are out executing it.”

“… I really, and I told the guys before the game, the will of this football team is gonna make the difference.”

RELATED: 5 takeaways from John Mateer's press conference after Oklahoma beats Michigan 24-13

On OU’s offensive line

“Started off giving a game ball to Bill Bedenbaugh and the offensive line group. … Really, again, proud of all those guys, man. Just everything that’s gone into it, Bill Bedenbaugh, man, he’s worked, man, so hard. … He’s put his heart and soul into it, so proud, I’m happy for him.”

On OU’s young defensive backs

“That was going to be one of the most critical parts of this year’s defense, kind of the question mark. And we made a decision not to go into the portal and to stick with our young guys and just get them ready. … The young guys, they’re fearless. They love to work. Man, they’re a bunch of dogs. They’re edgy. They like to, again, be pushed and challenged. And so it was good.”

On what the win means for recruits

“With the recruits, I think there’s validation … whether it’s a quarterback … an offensive lineman … or again, to play in a ferocious defense … Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that and be developed in every part of your life as well. … That’s real recruiting.”

On coaching against a respected opponent

“You don’t ever love playing people that you have great respect for. I don’t anyway. … They’ll be fine. And they’ve won plenty. … That was just more validation, what I already affirmed, affirmation.”

On the win’s meaning for OU fans

“This is a program that, you know, has high standards and high expectations. … I want everybody to share in the success. … For a moment, man, they get to celebrate and be proud of their team and their school. That is an expectation here. Again, we met the criteria today. Job well done by our guys.”