3 Oklahoma Players Including Pass Rusher Ronnie Perkins Reportedly Suspended for Peach Bowl vs LSU
By Michael Luciano
Oklahoma needs a minor miracle if they are to upset Heisman winner Joe Burrow and the currently unbeaten LSU Tigers in the College Football Playoff, and they will have to do so without several key members on both sides of the ball.
Pass rusher Ronnie Perkins, who has 38 tackles and six sacks this season, has been suspended for the Peach Bowl along with running back Rhamondre Stevenson and wide receiver Trejan Bridges.
Big news. OU will be without its top pass rusher and No. 2 RB against LSU. https://t.co/6mM53Maqly
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 18, 2019
Perkins is the big loss here, but the other two could come back to bite Lincoln Riley and the Sooners.
The 232 pound Stevenson has 515 yards rushing on just 64 carries (good for an 8.0 yards per carry average) and six touchdowns this year. Bridges struggled to get on the field consistently, but managed to catch two touchdowns in his freshman season, including one late in Oklahoma's nail-biting win against Iowa State.
Riley has refused to comment on these suspensions due to the fact that they are being appealed.
Lincoln Riley: "I'm aware of the report that is out there. Unfortunately at this time I cannot comment on it."
— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) December 18, 2019
He then later says that Kennedy Brooks will play. Asked about Rhamondre Stevenson, Riley says, "Kennedy Brooks will play."
Hm.
Oklahoma had a daunting challenge ahead of them with every starter available. With their best pass rusher and two offensive contributors now out for this game, the upset bid just got that much harder.