OU’s Joe Mixon suspended for Thursday

Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) rushes against Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Jordyn Brooks (20) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma’s offense just took another hit leading up to Thursday’s 6:30 p.m. kick (on ESPN) at Iowa State.

Out of nowhere on Tuesday night, Oklahoma released a statement that sophomore running back Joe Mixon had been suspended for the game.

“OU sets very high standards and they must be met by all of our student-athletes,” said Sooner Bob Stoops in the statement.

From Mixon: “I regret that I did not respond appropriately to parking attendants and understand and accept the consequences.”

Interesting.

This is big news for a couple of reasons.

1. Mixon, who has compiled 813 yards this season (to go with five touchdowns), is a really good player. He’s averaging 6.8 yards per carry on the season and ran for 263 yards two weeks ago against Texas Tech. He’s as explosive as they come.
2. The Sooners are already without Samaje Perine, who will miss his third game in a row.

It’s Oklahoma. There is still talent behind those two, but it isn’t proven.

A four-star freshman named Abdul Adams is the front-runner to get the start.

Mixon being out likely won’t change the outcome of this game, but Iowa State’s 114th ranked rush defense will use all the help it can get.