Keyword
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Scoreboard
Schedules
Rankings
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Message Board
Teams
Recruiting
CONFERENCES


SHOP@ESPN.COM
TeamStore
ESPN Auctions
SPORT SECTIONS
Saturday, November 27
 
Mistakes meet big plays in 94th edition

Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. -- Early mistakes, big plays and an offensive lineman running the ball made the 94th edition of the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State series Saturday an interesting one.

Oklahoma (7-4 overall, 5-3 in Big 12) capitalized on mistakes by Oklahoma State (5-6, 3-5) and received some big performances by unexpected players to roll to a 44-7 victory.

Wild beginning
A series of mistakes marred the opening quarter, with each team fumbling once and the Cowboys making a special teams mistake that led to Oklahoma's first score.

The Sooners fumbled on their first play, with Josh Heupel fumbling a handoff to Seth Littrell. Jack Golden recovered at the Oklahoma 10.

Oklahoma State's Nathan Simmons fumbled on the next play, missing a reverse to Jamaal Fobbs to give the Sooners the ball back.

Oklahoma State's Terrance Richardson fielded a punt three yards deep in his own end zone on the next drive and was tackled at the Oklahoma State three-yard line while trying to return the kick.

The Cowboys were forced to punt and Oklahoma drove 34 yards for their first score. Fobbs fielded a kickoff five yards deep in the end zone on the next play and started the Cowboys out on the six-yard line.

"I thought there were some poor decisions bringing the ball out," Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons said. "I haven't watched the film, but you can't start drives on the nine-yard line. We don't teach that."

Back in action
Oklahoma linebacker Rocky Calmus was able to play, and have an impact, Saturday despite breaking a bone above his ankle the previous week in a 38-28 loss at Texas Tech.

Calmus, Oklahoma's leading tackler this season, finished with eight tackles, two for losses, to give him 113.

"He had a solid role," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "Rocky is a tough guy, that's why we thought he would have a chance to play. I appreciate him."

Still an option
Despite the disciplinary suspension of starting tight end Marcellus Rivers earlier in the week, Oklahoma State didn't shy away from throwing to that position. Backup tight ends Bryan Blackwood and Khary Jackson, who entered the game with 10 receptions combined, teamed for seven receptions for 99 yards.

Big gainer
Oklahoma senior tackle Stockar McDougle ended his senior career at home in a big way, carrying the ball for a two-yard gain and a first down in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma scored seven plays later and McDougle was even used as a decoy on Josh Heupel's touchdown run.

Because Heupel was sacked twice, McDougle finished with more rushing than yards than the Sooner quarterback.

Coming home
Members of the 1974 and 1975 Oklahoma national championship teams were honored during halftime.

The Sooners were 22-1 combined over those two national championship seasons with 12 individual All-Americans (16 overall).




 More from ESPN...
Heupel leads bowl-eligible Oklahoma over Cowboys

 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story