Oklahoma vs. Tulsa: Sooners Players of the Game

Sep 14, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Blake Bell (10) runs through the tackle of Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensive end Brentom Todd (97) during the game at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma Sooners finally looked like all was right as they demolished the Tulsa Hurricane, 51-20. While that was the most points this defense has given up this season, one Tulsa touchdown came on a bogus personal foul call against Gabe Lynn and the second was against the reserves in the second half. With that in mind, here is a look at the Oklahoma Sooners 5 Players of the Game for this third game of the college football season.

Blake Bell

Let’s start off with the elephant in the room.

In two game for Oklahoma, Trevor Knight threw for a combined 205 yards, with a low 43.8 completion percentage. He did throw for four touchdowns in the two games, but they were low risk passes. A knee injury forced Bob Stoops to make a change this week, and Blake Bell got his chance.

Let’s head back to 2007. In Sam Bradford’s first game as the Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback, he threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns. Three weeks later, Bradford played Tulsa and threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns. One year later, Bradford won the Heisman Trophy.

On Saturday, in Blake Bell’s first game as the Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback, he threw for 413 yards and four touchdowns. That is more than double the yards that Trevor Knight threw for in two games, with equal the touchdown passes. That was also more yards and touchdowns than Bradford threw in his debut as starting quarterback.

I’m not saying there is a Heisman Trophy in Blake Bell’s future, but I am saying that we have found the Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback. Stoops said it is obvious that Blake Bell will be the starter when the Sooners play Notre Dame next.

“Well that’s pretty obvious, yeah. So much for your controversy right now. It didn’t last long but you can’t deny what he just went out there and did,” Stoops said after the game. “I’m proud of him and excited for him. Again, I think it also speaks to his character as a guy that was ready for it. He never got down, never changed his attitude. He got his chance and he took great advantage of it.”