Oklahoma vs. Texas: 5-Key Recap from Red River Rivalry 2013

Oct 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Brennan Clay (24) runs with the ball against Texas Longhorns defensive end Reggie Wilson (92) during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Sooners Offensive Line Collapsed

The reason that Blake Bell threw so many interceptions was because the Texas Longhorns defensive line, a weakness coming into the game, was a strength and completely overpowered the Sooners offensive line. Bell only finished with a 5.1 yard passing average and the short passing game that OU utilizes was shut down.

Special Teams

The Oklahoma Sooners special team has also been solid all season, but fell apart in this game. Daje Johnson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown in the game and had 124 yards in punt return yards in the game, meaning that the Longhorns were always in good field position. On the other hand, Roy Finch had one great kick return in the game, but that was it for the Sooners’ return yards in the game.

Oklahoma Running Game Sputtered

Mack Brown was on the hot seat, and honestly still is, but he really shined in this game. While Bob Stoops had a chance to win his 10th game in this series, the most by any OU head coach, the game plan just didn’t work here. Blake Bell couldn’t find any time to throw the ball, and while the running game looked good at times, Oklahoma never let any one runner try to get any pattern. It seemed like every time Keith Ford or Roy Finch would start to move the ball, Damien Williams or Brennan Clay would pop in for one run, which would fall short.

Oklahoma has a lot of weapons in the backfield, all of which are good, but if none of them got a chance to continue pushing the Texas defense. Clay and Ford both averaged over 5 yards a carry, but Ford only ran the ball six times to Clay’s five carries. Roy Finch picked up 12 yards on one carry and never got another chance. The Sooners needed to really let someone take control of the game, but didn’t here.