# Brent Venables praises Jason Witten after Sooners top Gators

> Oklahoma's interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten impresses in 23-7 win over Florida.
- Title: Brent Venables praises Jason Witten after Sooners top Gators
- Summary: Oklahoma's interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten impresses in 23-7 win over Florida.
- Keywords: oklahoma soomers, jason witten, brent venables, florida gators, interim offensive coordinator, college football, sooner nation, 23-7 victory, college football game, Yahoo Sports
- Source: Yahoo Sports — https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brent-venables-praises-jason-witten-190045995.html
- Published: 2026-11-09T19:00:45+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: oklahoma soomers, jason witten, brent venables, florida gators, interim offensive coordinator, college football, sooner nation, 23-7 victory, college football game, sports
## Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables fired
Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables fired former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after a home loss to South Carolina Gamecocks.
## Oklahoma's CFP and SEC title hopes end
Oklahoma dropped to 4-4 in 2026 after the loss, ending CFP and SEC title hopes.
## Poor offense under Venables
Oklahoma's offense has been a weakness under Venables for three years.
## Jason Witten promoted to interim coordinator
Brent Venables elevated tight ends coach Jason Witten to interim offensive coordinator ahead of Florida game.
## Witten's first game as play-caller
Jason Witten led Oklahoma to a 23-7 victory over Florida Gators in his first game as play-caller.
## Venables praises Witten's ambition
Venables said Witten's ambition and excitement for the opportunity were genuine and not fabricated.

> Bragging on his ambition, and his excitement for the opportunity, you can't fabricate that
## Witten's offensive performance
Witten's offense looked more balanced, thought out, and complementary in the game.
## Venables calls game 'complete'
Venables described the game as 'really complete' with 'complementary football'.

> Really complete performance
## Oklahoma's stats in game
Oklahoma threw for 207 yards and ran for 144 yards in Witten's first game.
## Witten's impact on Sooner Nation
Sooner Nation was impressed by Witten's performance as a future NFL Hall of Famer.
## Witten's audition for full-time role
Witten made a strong early statement in his audition for the full-time offensive coordinator role.
## Witten's potential for role
Witten may not be the favorite to land the job but will make things interesting if offense continues to play sound football.
## Game details
The game took place on November 7, 2026 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
## Venables' reaction
Venables walked on the field after the game with Florida Gators head coach Jon Sumrall.
## Witten's future role
Witten will need to improve over the next three weeks to secure the offensive coordinator role.
## Key takeaway

Oklahoma Sooners interim offensive coordinator Jason Witten delivered a strong first game as play-caller in a 23-7 victory over Florida Gators.