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OU football: Alex Grinch still using videos to motivate defense during struggles

Jacob Unruh
by Jacob Unruh
Published: Wed, October 7, 2020 2:50 PM Updated: Wed, October 7, 2020 2:52 PM

NORMAN — A year ago, OU defensive coordinator Alex Grinch showed his players a tape of the New England Patriots’ historic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Later that week, the Sooners rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat Baylor.

It was a tremendous coincidence, not a prophetic look into the future by Grinch. But perhaps after two straight losses that featured fourth-quarter struggles, it’s time for another video lesson.

So, what video is Grinch pulling out for the Sooners defense heading into Saturday’s game against rival No. 22-ranked Texas? 

“I’d be embarrassed to kinda mention some of what the topics have been over the last two weeks,” Grinch said. “But we haven’t gotten the outcome in spite of that, so I’ll keep that to myself. 

“It’s videos. But it’s not sinking in. It’s something that we continue to do. You keep swinging the bat. Sometimes you land the message, sometimes you don’t, right?”

For whatever reason, Grinch doesn’t feel his tactics have sunk in for the players.

But he believes they will and the Sooners can fix their tackling woes.

“I don’t take credit when the message gets landed,” Grinch said. “It’s the kids that ultimately get it done and it’s my fault when I can’t land the message. 

“Again, I’m fairly embarrassed to say what we’ve done over the last few weeks when you ultimately see the results, because it’s obviously not hitting home.”

Related Photos
Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch watches during team warmups before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Kansas State won 38-35. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman]

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch watches during team warmups before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Kansas State won 38-35. [Bryan...

<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-844607ccb6d1a21487afbb8fdbd2e2ca.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch watches during team warmups before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Kansas State won 38-35. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman] " title="Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch watches during team warmups before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Kansas State won 38-35. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman] "><figcaption>Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch watches during team warmups before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Kansas State won 38-35. [Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman] </figcaption></figure>
Jacob Unruh

Jacob Unruh is a graduate of Northeastern State University. He was born in Cherokee and raised near Vera where he attended Caney Valley High School.During his tenure at NSU, Unruh wrote for The Northeastern (NSU's student newspaper), the... Read more ›

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