Jovantae Barnes has the best game of his career in OU football's win over Maine

NORMAN – Jovantae Barnes was patient as he received a handoff from Jackson Arnold.

Midway through the first quarter, OU football trailed Maine by a touchdown and needed an offensive spark. On the first play, Barnes waited for his blockers to get into position before making two Black Bear defenders miss with jukes. Then, in his opinion, he was free 75 yards to the end zone.

The play was originally called a touchdown, but Barnes was ruled short at the 1-yard line.

“I still think it was a touchdown,” said Barnes, who had a 2-yard score two plays later. “You might say something different. But it felt good to break one and just celebrate with my boys. … I was angry because I was like, 'Just give me the touchdown.' But just go back in and get it. It felt good.

Barnes' performance in the Sooners' 59-14 win over Maine on Saturday felt extra special after a rollercoaster 2023 season in which he battled a foot injury, started just one game and rushed for a touchdown. Barnes has put those past frustrations aside this season, not only solidifying himself as OU's premier running back but also finding his voice as one of the Sooners' unquestioned leaders on offense.

Barnes' 203 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns were each career highs. He averaged 11.3 yards on his 18 carries.

“It was great to see,” OU quarterback Jackson Arnold said. “Obviously I wasn't here his first year when he played really well. And I came in last year waiting to see Jovantae because everyone kept talking about how hard he ran and this and that, and he just had injuries last year and I wasn't able to do it this year and I'm really proud of him.

As a freshman in 2022, Barnes played in 11 games and scored five touchdowns. When the season ended, Barnes was at the top of many people's lists of possible transfers to the Sooners, but said he never considered leaving.

OU running backs coach DeMarco Murray has developed a close relationship. Both are from Las Vegas. It was Murray who called Barnes after the Sooners' loss to Arizona in last season's Alamo Bowl to make sure he kept his head up and knew his time would come if he stayed. They took a moment to celebrate how far Barnes has come with an emotional hug and a picture together after Saturday's game.

“I’m really proud of him,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “He kept coming back and working hard and being on a mission, if you will, and it's a great example for the other players, everyone learns from it. All that matters is what you do in the future and things will happen and you have to overcome some things. And he certainly did that because a year ago he was frustrated because he was injured and couldn't get into the rhythm.

After running hard in recent weeks and being one of the few bright spots in the Sooners' offense, it felt like Barnes was in for a breakout game. He felt it too, telling wide receiver JJ Hester before the game that he would perform well.

Barnes' 158 rushing yards in the first half were the most by an OU running back since Samaje Perine's FBS single-game record performance against Kansas in 2014. Barnes' 74-yard rush was the Sooners' longest rushing play since Rhamondre Stevensons Record 75 yarder against Kansas South Dakota in 2019.

Even though it was against an FCS opponent, offensive coordinator Joe Jon Finley said Barnes' performance can improve the play of the entire offense for the rest of the season.

“It always starts with running,” Finley said. “As you saw today, whenever you can do that, completely different things open up to you. I'm extremely proud of Jovantae because he's finally healthy and can show what he can do. … You only see the steps. “Hopefully.” You continue to take those little steps, one week at a time, one day at a time, one rep at a time.”

Barnes' performance also meant more for tight end Kaden Helms, who also battled injuries and scored his first career touchdown on Saturday. Barnes and Helms, who signed in the same recruiting class at OU, pushed each other last season, competing every day in the training room to get healthier and improve.

“That’s my guy,” Helms said. “It was great to see the run game going, great to see Vontae do what everyone, including himself, knows he can do.”

During a preseason camp meeting, Venables encouraged Barnes to talk to the entire team about his experiences a season ago. The Sooners used Barnes' speech as inspiration to overcome mental obstacles.

Barnes showed his immense talent on that long run in the first quarter. But it was his perspective and leadership during OU's disappointing 5-4 start to the season that impressed those around him.

“Last year doesn’t have to have anything to do with this year,” Venables said. “He just put his head down and created a chance for himself, made the most of the chance when he came in and he just really excelled and really took off.”

OU at Missouri

START: 18 from 6:45 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri (ESPN or SEC Network)

Jovantae Barnes has the best game of his career in OU football's win over Maine

OU at Missouri

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