DALLAS, TEXAS – 12 seconds. That is the length of time the Sooners trailed in today’s 31-26 win over Texas at the Cotton Bowl. Just long enough for Alex Ross to return Texas’ first kickoff of the day 91 yards for a TD in the first quarter. Just 12 seconds. But somehow it felt like we were behind all day.
The offense was non-existent in the first half, almost literally, and the defense looked like they were wearing down. Other than a single field goal, following the Sooners’ single first down of the first half, the Sooners’ first half points came on Ross’ kick return and Zack Sanchez’ pick six. Texas QB Tyrone Swoopes had as many completions at halftime (14) as the Sooners had offensive plays. OU mustered only 29 yards of offense in the half, yet still managed to lead 17-13.
It looked as if the Sooner defense would have to shut the Horns out the rest of the game in order to secure a victory, and for the whole third quarter, they did just that. Texas didn’t come close to denting the scoreboard in the third frame, while the Sooners finally got on track late in the quarter.
OU finally found offensive success by going with a quick tempo. A 63-yard drive in only 1:05 was capped by a 24-yard TD pass from Trevor Knight to Sterling Shepard, and the Sooners extended their lead to 24-13 with 4:17 to play in the third. Two possessions later, Samaje Perine scored from 13 yards out. The Sooner lead was 31-13 with 12:50 to play in the game, and it looked like it was all over but the shouting.
But Texas wasn’t done. They scored touchdowns on their next two possessions, and all of a sudden were trying a two-point conversion to try to get within a field goal with 4:57 to play in the game. The conversion attempt was stuffed, and the Sooners led 31-26 and needed to run clock.
As bad as the offense was overall on the day, perhaps the worst statistic was that they were 0-fer on third down conversions. Until the final possession. Perine got the ball on eight consecutive plays, including a nine-yard gain on a swing pass on third and four to give the Sooners their only third down conversion of the day, when they needed it most. A pair of first downs on the final possession allowed OU to punt the ball back to Texas with only 18 seconds to play in the game. The Horns could do nothing with it, their last-gasp lateral play was snuffed out, and the game was over.
To be sure, the Horns did everything they could to give the game to the Sooners, and we were very reluctant to take it at times. They flubbed at least three snaps, plus one on a punt, and we could take no advantage, although a fumbled snap on third down deep in Sooner territory forced them to settle for a field goal just before the half. We were fortunate to win today, there’s no doubt about that.
All of that said, a win is a win, especially in the Cotton Bowl. Baylor’s surreal comeback from a 21-point deficit against TCU means the Sooners still have all their goals in front of them. Get past a tough Kansas State team in Norman next week and, after an off week, Iowa State in Ames, and the Sooners will host undefeated Baylor with only one loss. That is, of course, if the Bears can get past a tough West Virginia team in Morgantown next week. One advantage they’ll have over the Sooners’ visit to the Eastern Time Zone – an 11 a.m. kickoff. Win that and beat Kansas at home, and it sets up a potential Texas Tech 2008 scenario.
Of course, if the Sooners don’t play better on both sides of the ball, it won’t matter. Kansas State is fully capable of coming into Norman and winning – that’s what they did the last time they were in town. Improvement is a must everywhere.
One thing, though – the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The talking heads focus on the here and now and ignore the big picture. If this team goes 11-1, it will win the conference and be in the Playoff. And despite what you might be thinking today, this team is capable of going 11-1. But not if it keeps playing the way it played today.
See you Saturday morning in Norman for Kansas State.
vBulletin Message