GameDay Grit: Sooners Get Virtual Report Cards
EA Sports’ College Football 27 drops July 9, and Oklahoma’s roster shines. Defensive tackle David Stone tops the charts with a 94 rating, outpacing peers nationwide. Wideout Isaiah Sategna lands a 90 overall, bolstered by a blazing 96 speed. Cornerback Eli Bowen also scores 90, while QB John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis each notch an 89. Special teams phenom Tate Sandell, transfer sensation Trell Harris, edge rusher Taylor Wein and safety Peyton Bowen round out the high-80s club. These ratings reward the Sooners’ playoff run and set expectations for 2026 even before kickoff.
If only real life handed out 94s for sack parties and 90s for snagging touchdowns. Imagine coaches pacing the sideline, clutching clipboards covered in gold-star stickers, while players RSVP to autograph signings before November. “Congrats on the 96 speed—can we get that in yardage, please?” Somewhere, rival coordinators are drafting petitions to roll back David Stone’s stats from “God mode” to “mere mortal.” At this rate, Sooners will refuse to play unless their avatars earn a bonus touchdown in career mode. Virtual glory: the only trophy you can’t display on your office shelf.
Two-Way Star Bids Farewell at 78
Steve Zabel, Oklahoma’s rare two-way All-American from 1967–1969, died at 78. Fresh from New Mexico Military Institute, he caught 23 passes in ’67 en route to a Big 8 crown and Orange Bowl upset. In ’68 he earned Second Team All-American honors before focusing on tight end duties in ’69 to support Heisman winner Steve Owens. A first-round NFL pick in 1970, Zabel spent a decade in the pros, switching to linebacker and making the Patriots’ 1970s All-Decade Team. Post-football, he settled in Oklahoma City as a high school coach and charity advocate.
It’s official: football gods have reclaimed their two-way miracle worker. Modern specialists can’t fathom lining up on offense, defense and punting—all before lunch. Zabel must have treated playbooks like restaurant menus: “I’ll have option play, linebacker blitz and a side of booming punts.” Today’s players would fret over a 1,500-word tweet, while Zabel probably wrote the encyclopedia in chalk. Raise a pint of Gatorade to the man who turned “jack of all trades” into “touchdown, turnover, touchback.” Heaven’s roster just got a supremely versatile upgrade.
AD Denny’s Spoiled Summer in Omaha
Oklahoma’s new athletic director, Roger Denny, savored an “extraordinary” first months on the job as Sooners baseball captured a national title in Omaha. Joining Skip Johnson’s squad, Denny celebrated alongside legends Barry Switzer, Bob Stoops and coach Brent Venables, with support crawling into the dugout even on Sunday night. He hailed the cross-sport camaraderie as true family, believing that the College World Series spotlight will amplify OU’s brand nationwide. Now he eyes his first football season, expecting more milestones.
Move over, Cinderella stories—here comes spoiled-brat Denny, complaining he’s “too pampered” by trophies. First weeks and he’s already batting back-to-back championships like they’re complimentary samples. “I’m a little spoiled,” he whines, as if one trophy shelf isn’t enough. Rumor has it he’s petitioning to rename the College World Series “Rogerpalooza.” And what’s next—a pep rally in a gold-plated tractor? At least the Sooners’ bar is officially set at “absurdly high,” courtesy of our overindulged AD. Onward to fall, where football players will be asked to match baseball’s dynasty-level swag. Good luck, guys—you’ve got big cleats to fill.
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