The University of Oklahoma played a Varsity and JV game against the University of Arkansas this weekend, coming away with two victories in Norman, Okla.

"They were probably the best traveling side that we have played host to," said Oklahoma Head Coach Jason Horowitz. "[I was] very happy with the level of competition that Arkansas put on the field. Their forwards were big and fit, and their backs played well of their front foot."

Arkansas battled and were tied 5-5 into the 19th minute until captain Michael Al-Jiboori scored his second of the day to nudge the Sooners ahead.

The first half ended 12-5 OU, but in the first 12 minutes the Sooners scored three tries, including Al-Jiboori's third, to break the game open.

Over the past two weeks of training Oklahoma has been moving players around and getting them to learn new positions. That transition was still in progress in the first half, said Horowitz.

"As a team grows and the season moves forward there is a time when you have to look at the structure and determine if it still fits. In our case it could have but we were pretty sure some adjustments could make thing a bit tighter. Those adjustments made the first 40 minutes a bit of a struggle."

OU was hurt also by 19 penalties in the first half.

“I was impressed with the team," said Horowitz. "We gave up 190 meters in the 1st half in penalties and only gave up 5 points."

Al-JIboori worked with the referee at halftime and the penalties were drastically reduced in the second half. OU scored five tries in the second half to roll 45-15. Flyhalf Thomas Chinellato kicked five out of seven conversions.

In the JV game OU was led by two tries from Robert Sandel OU won 46-30.

"These kids are really finding themselves in our collegiate rugby schemes," said Horowitz. "They have learned, adapted, and hold each other accountable to the bigger picture."