Alex Grinch to Key Lawrence: 'You deserve to be a starter'

In performances that were a bit of a letdown defensively against TCU and Kansas, Key Lawrence had been one of the standout performers for the Sooners’ defense. With Delarrin Turner-Yell coming back, the question became what to do with Lawrence. He’d been one of the Sooners’ best defenders and was playing at such a high level that it would be difficult to take him off the field.

A text message on Sunday night from defensive coordinator to Alex Grinch may have made all the difference for the Oklahoma Sooners defense. Grinch asked, “what do you think about playing corner?” Grinch didn’t provide a word-for-word response from Lawrence but summarized it as “let’s roll.”

According to Grinch, Lawrence went about his work the right way in practice this week, attacking the challenge of the midseason position switch. That decision would be challenged on the first play of the game.

Looking to set a tone early, Texas Tech came out slinging the ball as Henry Colombi dropped back and looked to have Keylon Geiger down the left sideline, dropping a beautiful ball into his receiver’s arms. As the play concluded, Lawrence reached his hand in and knocked the ball out of Geiger’s arms to force the incomplete pass.

It was just the first play of the game, but the competitive spirit that Lawrence displayed on a play that he was beaten on set the tone for a Sooners defense to play its best game of the season.

Cornerback has been one of the most significant weaknesses of this team over the last month. The Sooners have had a hard time keeping up or making competitive plays at the catch point. On Saturday afternoon, that all seemed to change on Key Lawrence’s side of the field.

Lawrence would finish the day with seven total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and two passes defended. It was the first time in weeks that the coverage unit for the Oklahoma Sooners defense looked up to the challenge.

Erik Ezukanma was a difficult matchup for the Sooners’ secondary and had five receptions for 70 yards in the first half. At the same time, Oklahoma was able to contain the rest of the Texas Tech wide receiver group to six catches and 44 yards in the first half.

As the Sooners started to pull away in the first half, the difference in this game was the Oklahoma defense not allowing the opposing offense to respond to OU touchdowns. The defense put the clamps on, not allowing any sustained drives and forcing three punts, and forcing an interception in the first half.

From the defensive front to the secondary, it was a total team effort, shutting down a potentially explosive Texas Tech offense. However, the move of Key Lawrence to cornerback provided energy, competitiveness, and an edge that the Sooners defense had been missing on the outside with Woodi Washington and D.J. Graham out.

On Saturday, D.J. Graham returned to the lineup and started for the Oklahoma Sooners alongside Key Lawrence at cornerback. It remains to be seen what will happen at the position when Woodi Washington returns to the lineup, but it’s clear that Lawrence needs to be on the field.

And Alex Grinch would agree. He said, “Keyshawn (Lawrence) has played to a level over the last couple weeks when Delarrin (Turner-Yell) was out to establish himself as a starter on our defense.” That move was so impactful that it was arguably one of the keys to Oklahoma’s 52-21 victory over Texas Tech.

“Doesn’t bat an eye” is how Alex Grinch described Lawrence’s response to the suggestion of a position change, and that’s been evident with the way that he plays. The sophomore transfer from Tennessee was a game-changer for the Oklahoma Sooners on the outside. The defensive staff must make sure he continues to see the field as the OU secondary continues to get healthier by the week.

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By: John Williams
Title: Alex Grinch to Key Lawrence: 'You deserve to be a starter'
Sourced From: soonerswire.usatoday.com/2021/10/31/oklahoma-sooners-football-alex-grinch-to-key-lawrence-you-deserve-to-be-a-starter-texas-tech-red-raiders-woodi-washington-texas-tech-red-raiders/
Published Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2021 13:00:21 +0000

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