HOUSTON – Ogbo Okoronkwo kept harassing Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis, pressuring him relentlessly.
The Texans’ defensive end Alief Taylor graduate was a force during Sunday’s 19-14 road victory, helping the Texans snap a nine-game losing streak. He had two sacks, three tackles for losses and five quarterback hits as Willis passed for just 99 yards and was intercepted twice and sacked four times. He had a paltry 34.5 passer rating.
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“Any time you’ve got a rookie quarterback, you’ve got to get after him,” Okoronkwo said. “He hasn’t seen a lot of ball. We were just trying to make sure he wasn’t comfortable back there.” '
Okoronkwo is hitting a late-season stride. The former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year from Oklahoma and Los Angeles Rams player has recorded a career-high four sacks after posting the first multiple-sack game of his career.
He’s one of five players in the AFC to post four sacks since Week 13.
“We’re finally getting our rhythm,” Okoronkwo said. “Everything’s just sort of coming together. We’re just hoping to keep building on what we’re doing.”
Okoronkwo (6-foot-1, 253 pounds) is playing under a one-year contract and is regarded as a strong candidate to be re-signed by the Texans.
He has started six games and has a career-high 39 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and has one forced fumble. He has played 437 snaps overall, 42 percent of the defensive playing time.
“Consistent play, starting off with that,” Texans coach Lovie Smith said. “Once you get in the starting lineup, you’re expected to play like a starter. He’s been understanding with his play. He has rushed well, rushed the passer well, plays hard, has made plays in the running game too.
“Just his overall play has been very good. That’s what we’ve seen from him. He practices that way. He’s just enjoying playing football right now.”
Okoronkwo credited defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire for the production of the defensive line, including Jonathan Greenard’s return and Maliek Collins’ disruptiveness as an interior pass rusher, and his improvement.
“I’m finally finding my footing,” Okoronkwo said. “I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Okoronkwo said. “I’m just trying to do what’s required. I’m having fun. I just want to keep having fun.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to KPRC 2 and click2houston.com