ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Oklahoma lost more than one of its best defenders when Kip Lewis left Saturday’s game at Michigan.
The Sooners temporarily lost one of the emotional centers of their defense.
Lewis attempted to return but was unable to remain in the game. Brent Venables said afterward that the veteran linebacker will miss time, although the full severity and timetable were not immediately known.
“Kip is an emotional and on-the-field leader,” Owen Heinecke said. “But the expectation is that there is no drop-off. Unfortunately, it’s next man up.”
James Nesta was one of the players asked to fill the void.
“I thought Nesta did a good job stepping up in that situation,” Heinecke said. “Obviously, there is going to be a lot to learn from and get better at, but credit to Nesta—and we’re praying for Kip and hoping that he’s feeling right.”
Oklahoma held Michigan to 75 yards on 25 plays during the second half. The Wolverines punted on four of their five meaningful possessions after halftime, with their only touchdown coming after an interception gave them the ball at the OU 6-yard line.
Peyton Bowen believed the defense maintained its standard after Lewis’ departure, but acknowledged that replacing his presence went beyond simply inserting another linebacker.
“That’s our captain,” Bowen said. “Once he came out, I feel like we still played to a certain standard, but losing him is like losing a little bit of energy out there on the field.”
Lewis has fought through injuries before, which made it particularly difficult for teammates to watch him attempt to return and then leave again.
“It was hard to see him in that much pain because he’s fought through a lot of injuries over the years,” Bowen said.
Venables credited Oklahoma’s response after the injury.
“You lose a guy like Kip—he’s a good player,” Venables said. “But I thought the other guys came in and we reestablished a rhythm, especially in the second half.”
Oklahoma linebacker Cole Sullivan said every defender prepares as if he will start. That approach becomes critical now, especially if Oklahoma must navigate multiple games without Lewis.
“Losing a guy like Kip is huge,” Sullivan said. “But I thought we stepped up. We obviously didn’t play a perfect game. There were more plays to be made out there, and we have to get better from that.”
Oklahoma has emphasized competitive depth throughout the offseason and recently added another experienced linebacker in Jaydon Southard, who is on the official roster and suited up this Saturday in Ann Arbor.
That depth may be tested much sooner than expected.
“What we do is physical. What we do is violent,” Taylor Wein said. “Those young guys have to step up. Next man—that’s just what it is.”
The Sooners will not replace Lewis’ experience, leadership and production with one player.
They will have to replace him collectively.
Join today and get your FIRST MONTH FREE, followed by an entire year for 80% off(CLICK HERE) —just $19.99 instead of the regular $99.98! Or choose our month-to-month plan (CLICK HERE), get your FIRST MONTH FREE and then receive complete access to OUInsider.com for only $7.99 per month.
