Oklahoma 24, TCU 17: Defense comes through in Fort Worth
By Joe Buettner
Dec 1, 2012; Ft. Worth, TX, USA; Texas Christian Horned Frogs running back B.J. Catalon (23) is tackled for a loss by Oklahoma Sooners defensive end David King (90) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (92) at Amon G Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
College football that comes down to the last second is what makes the sport so enjoyable. Unless you are a team playing Oklahoma recently.
For three consecutive weeks, the Sooners have need a last second play to win, and they have come up clutch in every situation.
The Sooners walked in to Fort Worth with a BCS berth on the line and they have all but locked up a spot in either Glendale or New Orleans with a 24-17 victory over Big 12 newcomer Texas Christian.
After giving up 99 points per game the past two weeks, the Sooners held the Frogs to 17 points. However, had the Sooners limited the errors, OU fans could have breathed a little easier in the waning seconds of this ball game.
Landry Jones threw a pick putting the Frogs in position to tie the game early. In the third quarter, the Oklahoma defense collapsed on an 80 yard TCU passing touchdown. Then, the Frogs cut the deficit to seven with a field goal following a muffed Justin Brown punt.
The Sooners had a shot to put the game out of reach, but a missed field goal gave Texas Christian some hope late in the game.
A big reception by Cam White from Trevone Boykin inside the OU 20 put the Frogs within spitting distance of the end zone and with plenty of time on the clock.
The defense had made stops all day and on fourth and thirteen, the Sooners batted away a pass to the end zone and survived a late scare by TCU.
Fittingly it was the defense that sealed the deal for the eleventh-ranked Sooners. It was a solid performance from a group that on average allowed 36.2 points the past five weeks.
The offense was not as explosive as it has been recently. Landry Jones threw for 244 passing yards on 22-of-40 completions. And in Jones’ final regular season game, he connected with Jalen Saunders and Damien Williams for his only two touchdowns coming off two consecutive weeks of putting up video game numbers against West Virginia and Oklahoma State.
As for the run game, Damien Williams shined, as he ran for 115 yards and sprinted for a 66-yard touchdown on a relatively good TCU defense.
It was a bit more competitive than it needed to be, but the Sooners found a way to win and they now are in good position for a BCS bowl bid. A Kansas State loss tonight would guarantee the Sooners a spot, but honestly, OU fans could be wishing themselves in to a Fiesta Bowl with Oregon if the Longhorns are victorious tonight.
If the Sooners get in through an at-large bid, they more than likely would face the fourth-ranked Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl. While Muschamp’s Gators are tough, they seem to be less daunting of a task than the Oregon Ducks.
The Sooners bowl fate will become clearer by the end of the night, and will be solidified tomorrow. At this point, though, the worse OU can do is Cotton. Which might as well be a BCS bowl game considering the loser of the SEC title game will likely end up in Arlington.