Oklahoma Sooner QB, and Heisman frontrunner, Baker Mayfield won't start against West Virginia this Saturday on Senior Day and he won't be representing the Sooners as a team captain. Mayfield was recently disciplined by head coach Lincoln Riley for his actions during Saturday's blowout victory over the Kansas Jayhawks.
Mayfield grabbed his crotch and yelled "Fuck you!" at the Jayhawks' sideline during the third quarter of OU's 41-3 win over the weekend and those actions cost him the opportunity to start on Senior Day.
At a press conference yesterday, Mayfield fought back tears while acknowledging he put his head coach in a "terrible spot."
Per ESPN,
"Playing at OU is something I always dreamed of," Mayfield said while addressing reporters after Monday's practice. "Not starting is what it is. But not being a team captain is something so much more. It would be hard if it were a regular game. But it being my last one here ever, it means a lot more. It's going to be tough."
"Our relationship is the main reason," Mayfield said. "He wants the best for me, and so it's tough. It was difficult."
"Doesn't matter who you are, you need to handle yourself the right way," Mayfield said. "Doesn't matter if you're the starting quarterback. If you don't act the right way, Coach Riley is going to discipline you. And that's the way it needs to be."
Oklahoma Sooner sophomore QB Kyler Murray will get the start in place of Mayfield. Although Mayfield will not be benched for the entire game, Lincoln Riley did not say how long the senior QB would have to sit for.
"I'm proud as hell to be his coach," Riley said. "This darn sure shouldn't taint all the great things he's accomplished here on and off the field."
The Sooners, 10-1, head into the final week of the season ranked #3 in the AP Top 25 poll.
Mayfield is the odds on favorite to win the Heisman trophy, he was listed at -250 when Nevada sportsbooks halted betting on the award over the past week.
