The conventional football season has concluded, but the sport remains active with the return of spring football, accompanied by familiar faces.
The XFL and USFL, former spring football leagues, have recently merged to form a unified spring league, the UFL. This league commences its season this weekend, embarking on a 40-game, 10-week schedule. Co-founded and co-owned by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the UFL seeks to offer both developmental opportunities to players and a professional football experience for fans nationwide.
Several notable former Oklahoma Sooners are part of this new league, including:
– Lee Morris, WR – Memphis Showboats
– Dillon Faamatau, DT – Memphis Showboats
– DaShaun White, LB – Michigan Panthers
– Bobby Evans, OT – Arlington Renegades
– Dru Samia, OG – Arlington Renegades
– Adrian Ealy, OT – Arlington Renegades
– Jalen Redmond, DE – Arlington Renegades
– LaRon Stokes, DT – Arlington Renegades
These players, recognized for their contributions at Oklahoma, are now poised to make an impact in the UFL.
In college softball action, Jayda Coleman’s stellar performance led Oklahoma to a commanding 17-0 victory over Kansas, with Coleman hitting two home runs and climbing the program’s record books for career hits.\
On the fourth pitch of the game, the experienced Sooner hitter adeptly maneuvered her hands inside the ball and drove a solo home run over the left field fence, providing OU with an early lead.
But Jayda Coleman’s offensive prowess didn’t stop there. In the fourth inning, she launched another home run, further solidifying her position in the program’s record books. With a career hit tally of 249, Coleman now ranks among the top 10 in career hits for the team.
Coleman’s exceptional performance set the tone for the Sooners, who continued to dominate throughout the game, overwhelming Kansas with their offensive firepower. Ultimately, OU triumphed over Kansas in a resounding 17-0 victory, ending the game after just five innings due to the run rule. This marked Oklahoma’s highest run total since their 22-run outburst against Stephen F. Austin on Feb. 18, 2023. Quincee Lilio capped off the scoring with a single up the middle, bringing in the 17th run.
Head coach Patty Gasso commented on the team’s offensive surge, noting that the players’ hitting abilities were reaching their peak. Indeed, the offensive prowess was on full display as the Sooners relentlessly circled the bases, securing their second victory over the No. 24-ranked Kansas team in the weekend series.
In the preceding game on Thursday, Kelly Maxwell nearly pitched a no-hitter, leading Oklahoma to a 6-1 victory over Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Maxwell recorded nine strikeouts and allowed only four walks throughout the game.
During Friday’s offensive onslaught, eight Sooners contributed hits and RBIs, tallying a total of 15 hits. The highlight was the team’s four home runs, with Coleman hitting two, and Tiare Jennings and Alyssa Brito each adding one to the tally. Jennings’ home run marked her team-leading 14th of the season. Coleman led the offensive charge with three RBIs, while Jennings and Rylie Boone each contributed two RBIs.
The second inning proved to be particularly fruitful for OU, as they scored seven runs, kickstarting their offensive barrage. The scoring spree commenced with consecutive bases-loaded walks by Jennings and Kasidi Pickering.
Defensively, Nicole May, SJ Geurin, and Patyn Monticelli combined to deliver a shutout performance, with the Sooner defense committing no errors. May started in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings, before Monticelli closed out the game with 0.2 innings pitched, striking out two batters.
With this victory, the Sooners (33-1, 11-0 Big 12) extended their winning streak to 14 games.