4th and 1
Each week, following the Sooner football game, we’ll take a look at four plays that changed the outcome of the game. In addition to the four plays, we’ll add one final assessment and assign grades to four phases of the game (Offense, Defense, Special Teams and Coaching/Play calling). We hope you enjoy!
This week: OU 35 Notre Dame 21
1. Notre Dame Drive (@ the 14:19 mark in the 1st quarter)
The Play
Notre Dame, facing their first third down of the game (3 & 7), lined up in a 4 WR (plus 1 TE) empty backfield set. Just prior to the snap, the Notre Dame left tackle points out Eric Striker as he approaches the line of scrimmage. At the snap, Striker blitzes from the edge and hits Rees prior to his release, causing a wobbly pass that is intercepted by Corey Nelson and taken back 27 yards for a Sooner touchdown.
The Effect
The early game atmosphere was electric, and the Notre Dame fans were loud. One big question going into the game, was just how good the Sooner defense could be…and would the Sooners be able to win, on the road, against a ranked team? After the hit, interception and touchdown, the air left the stadium like an old tire punctured with a knife. Most importantly, it gave the Sooner defense confidence that they would be able to operate effectively in a hostile environment.
2. Notre Dame Drive (@ the 14:11 mark in the 1st quarter)
The Play
On their first possession after the interception returned for a touchdown, Notre Dame, on 1st and 10 (at their own 34), lined up in a single back, 3 WR set. After the snap, ND QB Tommy Rees targeted ND WR T.J. Jones on a slant route. The pass was thrown slightly in front of Jones, and Aaron Colvin was able to get his hand out and deflect the ball. Frank Shannon, up-field from the play, bobbled the deflected pass (due to a cast on his right hand), then gained control for an interception at midfield, returning the ball to the Notre Dame 32.
The Effect
After back-to-back interceptions, the Sooner confidence was sky high, and the sidelines erupted. What little emotion that had returned to the stadium after the first turn over, was quickly gone. Not only did the Sooners convert the turnover into points (something they did with all 3 turnovers), the aggression of the defense caused ND QB Tommy Rees to feel uncomfortable in the pocket and the ND offensive line to work harder worrying about the pressure the Sooners could/would bring. The first two turn overs set a tone that continued through all four quarters of the game. Oklahoma had come to play defense this year.
3. Notre Dame Drive (@ the 12:43 mark in the 3rd quarter)
The Play
On their first offensive play of the second half, and trailing 21-7, The Irish took over at their own 20 yard line. Set in a double TE look, Notre Dame running back George Atkinson III took the hand-off and hit a small hole in the OU defensive front. OU linebacker Dominique Alexander left his spot to drop back in coverage and missed his fit, giving Atkinson just enough room to get behind the OU defense and into the open. Atkinson took the ball 80 yards for the second Notre Dame score of the game.
The Effect
Oklahoma, scoring on the final drive of the first half, had taken a two score lead and looked like they were close to breaking the game open. The quick rushing touchdown by the Irish put them right back into the game with almost the entire second half to play. This score served a purpose for both teams; for the Irish, it gave the team motivation and kept them In the game. For the Sooners, it may have kept the defense on edge, and forced them to realize that the game was far from being over.
4. OU Drive (@ the 12:33 mark in the 4th quarter)
The Play
Oklahoma sitting on only a 6 point lead, had moved the ball out to their own 46, and faced a 3rd & 3. The Sooners set up in a tight formation, with trips bunched to the left and a lone receiver to the right. Bell and Clay lined up in a shotgun formation. At the snap Sterling Shepard, lined up in the bunch formation to the left, ran a slant route across the Irish linebackers and Bell hit him in stride. Shepard outran the Notre Dame defense for the score. A two point conversion followed, giving the Sooners a 14 point lead.
The Effect
This may have been the single most important play of the game. Notre Dame had scored on their previous drive, cutting the Sooner lead to only 6 points. With time starting to become a factor in the game, Blake Bell drove the Sooners down field for a score and two point conversion, giving the Sooners a two touchdown lead late in the game. The Sooner defense would stop the next three Irish drives and the Sooners would leave South Bend with the win.
And One
Report Card
Offense: A
In a tough environment, the offense gained a total of 450 yards, including 238 yards, and most importantly, no turnovers.
Defense: A-
The defense set the tone for this game, and scored a touchdown. Allowing over 200 yards rushing kept the grade from being any higher.
Special Teams: A+
One kick-off return for 29 yards, one punt return for one yard, two for two in field goals and an average of 42 yards per punt. Just about as good as it gets on special teams.
Coaching/Play calling: A-
A few questionable play calls on offense, but otherwise a solid game plan.
Overall Grade: A
A very good performance, on the road, against a ranked team. Solid effort.
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