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OU-OSU bummer: Cowboys blown out by Sooners
University of Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine, left, runs through a tackle attempt by Oklahoma State linebacker Chad Whitener while on his way to a rushing touchdown during Saturday's OU-OSU game at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The OU-OSU to end all OU-OSUs didn’t finish the way Oklahoma State fans hoped.
With an outright conference title on the line, a first in the series, and College Football Playoff implications abound, the 2015 OU-OSU matchup was pinned as the biggest OU-OSU ever and as the biggest game in Boone Pickens Stadium’s young history.
But Oklahoma took hold of the game early and pulled away with a 58-23 win.
“They outcoached us and outplayed us,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “I didn’t do a good job of getting our guys ready to play.
“They made plays when they needed to and we didn’t.”
With the win, the No. 3 Sooners clinch the Big 12 title and likely lock up a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The No. 11 Cowboys (10-2, 7-2) were without the services of quarterback Mason Rudolph, who warmed up pregame, was in full uniform the entire contest and played one series at the 3:52 mark in the second quarter. Rudolph, clearly not himself, went 0 for 3 with one interception, which was returned for a touchdown by OU’s Jordan Thomas.
“We didn’t feel that Mason was healthy enough to play the game full speed and protect himself,” Gundy said. “He wasn’t comfortable throwing the football, in my opinion.”
J.W. Walsh started in Rudolph’s place. He completed 25 of 42 passes for 325 and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 yards on 12 carries, which led the team.
“We like J.W. and what he brought to the table,” Gundy said. “We feel comfortable with what we can do with him (on offense),” Gundy said.
James Washington led the Cowboys in receiving with seven catches for 169 yards and one touchdown.
OU’s Baker Mayfield, making the start at quarterback after sitting out the second half of last week’s game with a concussion, threw for 180 yards on 17 of 25 passing and two touchdowns. On the ground, Mayfield had 77 yards on 11 attempts.
The Oklahoma offense overwhelmed the Cowboys starting around the midway point of the first quarter.
The Cowboys scored first on a 43-yard field by Ben Grogan with 6:49 left in the first quarter. Walsh found Jhajuan Seales from 26 yards out to give the Cowboys a 10-7 lead with 4:36 left in the first quarter.
It was all OU from there.
The Sooners scored 28-straight points before Walsh hooked up with James Washington for 72 yards and a score with 6:41 left in the half. Scoring for the Sooners were Samaje Perine on a 68-yard run, a Joe Mixon on a 66-yard run, Dimitri Flowers on a 5-yard pass from Mayfield and Thomas’ interception return.
By that point, the rout was on and the Cowboys were trailing 34-17. The Sooners would score 10 more points before Grogan ended the half with a 21-yard field goal. OU led 44-20 at halftime.
Second half scoring included a Grogan 21-yard field goal, Mayfield 5-yard rush in the third quarter and a Mixon 6-yard run late in the fourth.
The Sooners managed 524 yards of total offense, 344 of which was on the ground. As a team, OU averaged 8.2 yards per rush. Mixon finished with 136 yards on the ground and Perine had 131.
Originally Posted by CowboyMRW
