The Red River Rivalry took an unfortunate turn for Oklahoma when starting right tackle Derek Simmons went down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury during Saturday’s showdown with Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Georg Stoia III broke the news on social media: “OU right tackle Derek Simmons is down and hurt, holding his knee.” The sight of Simmons clutching his knee in pain immediately sent a wave of despair through the Oklahoma sidelines. Moreover, things looked even worse when he needed the help of the trainers to limp off the field.

“Simmons limps off the field with the help of the trainers. Does not look good. Luke Baklenko will be in at RT,” Stoia added, capturing what everyone watching could see. This wasn’t a quick tweak that he’d shake off after a play or two; this seemed to be like a real injury, and it is.. For a Sooners offensive line that’s already dealt with more than its share of injury problems this season, losing Simmons in the biggest game of the year was a gut punch that could derail their entire afternoon against the Longhorns.​

The injury appeared to happen during a pass protection sequence when Simmons was engaged with a Texas defensive lineman, and his knee buckled awkwardly under the pressure. Replays showed him immediately grabbing at his right knee and going down to the turf, the kind of reaction that offensive line coaches dread seeing because it usually means something structural rather than just a bruise or strain. Simmons stayed down for several moments before Oklahoma’s training staff rushed to the ground to check on him and ultimately get him off the field. 

Simmons has been a key piece for Oklahoma’s offensive line this season after transferring in from Western Carolina, where he started all 10 games he played in 2024 and logged 612 offensive snaps while allowing no sacks. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound tackle had already dealt with injury issues earlier in the season when he missed the Illinois State opener after a setback during fall camp. 

Brent Venables had to hold him out again before eventually clearing him to return for the Michigan game, and Simmons had been solid in the games he played, helping anchor an offensive line that was trying to rebuild after Oklahoma led the FBS in sacks allowed last season with a staggering 50. The Sooners brought in Simmons specifically to address the right tackle position that had been such a disaster in 2024, and he’d been living up to expectations until this knee injury struck at the worst possible time against Texas.​

The Stanford transfer thrust into the spotlight

Now with Simmons out, Oklahoma has turned to Luke Baklenko, the Stanford transfer who came in during the offseason to provide depth and experience. Baklenko has started nine games at right tackle for Stanford in 2024, logging 646 snaps and getting plenty of experience before transferring to Norman. The 6-foot-7, 305-pound lineman was brought in precisely for moments like this: to be a reliable swing tackle who could step in when injuries inevitably struck. 

However, Baklenko’s Stanford tape was mixed at best. Some fans noted he was average last year and that Stanford would actually take him off the field in short-yardage situations because he wasn’t physical enough. Oklahoma fans had hoped they’d never need to find out whether Baklenko could hold up against elite SEC defensive lines, but now they’re about to get their answer in the most high-pressure situation imaginable, replacing an injured starter mid-game in the Red River Rivalry.​ Through Oklahoma’s first three games, Baklenko had played sparingly. 66 snaps against Illinois State, where he posted a solid 67.1 grade, but only 19 snaps against Temple with a 62.1 grade. 

He is growing in his role and has shown versatility by training at both left and right tackle during practice. He told reporters, “I’ve been training both sides, so wherever (Bedenbaugh) needs me.” This versatility is exactly what Oklahoma needs right now, in the Red River Rivalry.  Baklenko admitted during the spring that Bedenbaugh “definitely keeps us in line” and “requires a lot of football knowledge,” which shows he’s been working hard to absorb the scheme and develop his technique.​