<body><div>Obviously, if you're a coach or player, moral victories don't exist, but while the Houston Cougars couldn't come away with a win in Norman, there's a wealth of positives to celebrate compared to last week's outing. The Cougars put together one of the best defensive game plans in recent memory and managed to outgain the top 15 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman. That being said, let's take a second to acknowledge some of the performances that made the Cougar's surprise performance possible with CougarDigest's week two helmet stickers.Helmet Sticker No. 1- <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Keith-Cooper-Jr-46094687">Keith Cooper Jr.</a><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3EC0bn_0vPxDHiE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3EC0bn_0vPxDHiE00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Blake Antkowiak, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>I wholeheartedly believe Cooper has earned a role as a captain for the rest of the season after his outing against Oklahoma. He mentioned in the post-game presser that the game plan was to stop the run and shut down the Sooners' RPO offense. That plan ran through Cooper. He was an absolute anchor in the middle of the line, tallying three tackles for loss and a sack. It felt like in just about every critical down situation, Cooper was in the right position to make <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jackson-Arnold-46115051">Jackson Arnold</a> uncomfortable in the pocket. In a game full of <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Danny-Stutsman-46082030">Danny Stutsman's</a> and Jackson Arnold's, Cooper was the best player on the field all night. He gets our first helmet sticker of the year.Helmet Sticker No. 2- The entire offensive line<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=07wdEZ_0vPxDHiE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=07wdEZ_0vPxDHiE00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Blake Antkowiak, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>Look, I know it may seem lazy to give stickers out to an entire unit, but to come into Norman and play like they did against one of the nation's best defensive lines is not only impressive, it's shocking in the best way possible. I'll be honest, I didn't have many nice things to say about this unit after last week's six-sack outing. I'll give credit where credit is due, though. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Demetrius-Hunter-46102660">Demetrius Hunter's</a> dad, Demetris Hunter Sr., mentioned several times in the CougarDigest live show's chat last week that the offensive line would improve. He made sure to remind me of this as I passed by his seat Saturday. "I told you they'd get better, I told you.", and he was absolutely right. The line only allowed two sacks against the Sooners, one because of a slip from <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Donovan-Smith-46054065">Donovan Smith</a>. I honestly didn't believe this group could run with the Sooners. I was wrong. So this helmet sticker not only goes to the entire offensive line, but also to Demetris Hunter Sr.Helmet Sticker No. 3- <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Michael-Batton-46145936">Michael Batton</a><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1kDeBQ_0vPxDHiE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1kDeBQ_0vPxDHiE00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Blake Antkowiak, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>Batton took a lot of people by surprise when he got on campus. He's been at a few different stops but really might've found a home in <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Shiel-Wood-4056">Shiel Wood's</a> system. Batton mentioned in the post-game that he felt like the Cougars defense dominated up front, and the stats reflect that. He claimed two of the Cougars three sacks on the night, with nine tackles in total. He made life extremely difficult for the Sooners offense, as they found next to no success up the middle. If Batton can play as well during the rest of the season as he did this week, the Cougars defensive potential skyrockets. He gets the next helmet sticker.Helmet Sticker No. 4- Donovan Smith <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=24lVux_0vPxDHiE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=24lVux_0vPxDHiE00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Blake Antkowiak, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure>This may be a bit unpopular, but regardless, Smith's efforts need to be recognized. After last week's shaky performance, the dialogue around Smith was downright awful. Many were and still are writing the obituary on his career. While the first round hype may have been overblown, it's important to acknowledge the mental forititude it takes to come back from one of the worst games of his career to going 24-28 against one of the premiere defenses in college football. He by no means played a perfect game, but his composure never dipped. His performance is something the Cougars can build on in a major way heading into their last non-conference matchup. If he can keep taking steps week-to-week, he won't just be serviceable. He gets our last helmet sticker for today.Stay close to Cougar Digest as we continue to bring you the very latest team and recruiting news on the Cougars.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Helmet Stickers: Week two vs Oklahoma

Obviously, if you're a coach or player, moral victories don't exist, but while the Houston Cougars couldn't come away with a win in Norman, there's a wealth of positives to celebrate compared to last week's outing. The Cougars put together one of the best defensive game plans in recent memory and managed to outgain the top 15 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in Norman. That being said, let's take a second to acknowledge some of the performances that made the Cougar's surprise performance possible with CougarDigest's week two helmet stickers.

Helmet Stickers: Week two vs Oklahoma

Comments / 0