The 2024 season has not gone as Oklahoma fans were hoping before the season started, and — particularly over the last two weeks — things could not have been worse.
After an embarrassing 34-3 loss at the hands of their bitter rivals in the Cotton Bowl last week, the Sooners returned home to Norman to face a tough but beatable South Carolina (3-3) team.
Just nine offensive plays into the game, OU quarterback Michael Hawkins had accounted for two touchdowns; the only problem was they counted for the opponent. With almost 10 minutes remaining still in the first quarter, Oklahoma was in a 21-0 hole, and would eventually go on to lose 35-9.
The Sooners have had an abysmal start to their time in the SEC, going 1-3 in their first four games. At a place like Oklahoma, where generations of football fans have been used to winning and winning a lot, it’s not something that the fan base is very thrilled with.
The clamoring and hand-wringing amongst the fan base has become deafening, and already we’ve seen a response from Oklahoma, as they fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell on Sunday night.
However, the situation hasn’t been lost on the players either, who are feeling the weight of the fans’ frustrations, too. Sooner fans are losing hope for the season already, and many are looking ahead to 2025 already with five games still remaining this season.
That has sparked some conversations and a controversial statement from one of the leaders of this Oklahoma team.
Danny Stutsman, an All-American caliber linebacker for OU, was asked about fans losing hope for what will be his final season in Crimson and Cream. His answer?
“We’re just going to keep fighting,” Stutsman said. “At the end of the day, there is no quit in this team. At the end of the day, I love every single person on this team; I love the fans. But if they’re not going to be with us, were they really fans to begin with?”
Stutsman’s comment, which came less than an hour after OU’s loss to South Carolina, has sparked a ton of conversation on social media, with folks on either side of this discussion.
However, at least one former Oklahoma player feels that Stutsman’s comments are out of line considering what college football is in today’s world.
Tony Casillas, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft and a two-time Consensus All-American (’84, ’85) at OU, shared his thoughts on Stutsman’s comments over the weekend.
“C’mon man, you’re getting paid,” Casillas said on Twitter. “As a former player, it’s called criticism. It has and will be your job to change their minds… Especially in the college/pro athlete era.”
Casillas’ point here is clear: In an age where college football players are being paid handsomely, it is 100% fair to deal with fan criticism.
What do you think? Is Stutsman’s quote out of line, or is he on track? Let us know what you think in the member forum!
