OU Football Halftime Score: Sooners 31, Tulsa 24
By Chip Rouse
With quarterback Baker Mayfield taking charge early, the Oklahoma Sooners dismissed any notion of a hangover from last week’s big win over Tennessee, scoring on each of its first four possessions, but Tulsa roared back with two touchdowns in the final minute of the first half to cut what once was a 31-10 Sooner lead to just a seven-point advantage at the intermission.
After a three-and-out opening possession by Tulsa, Mayfield connected with wide receiver Dede Westbrook on a 39-yard pass play on the Sooners’ very first play from scrimmage, setting OU up at the 23-yard-line. The Sooners followed that up with a 21-yard pass from Mayfield to Durron Neal.
OU came up short on three first-and-goal running plays and settled for a 21-yard field goal by Austin Seibert to open the scoring.
Sep 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs the ball against Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensive tackle Jesse Brubaker (8) in the first quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Tulsa came right back with a 69-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal to tie the game.
The Sooners, led by Mayfield’s passing and running, reached the end zone on its next three possessions to storm out to a 31-10 lead, and it could have been more were it not for a fumble by OU’s Samaje Perine inside the Tulsa 10-yard line as the Sooners were driving for another score.
A second Oklahoma fumble, this one by running back Joe Mixon at the Tulsa 20-yard line, thwarted another Sooner scoring drive. The Golden Hurricane converted that turnover into an 80-yard touchdown drive, culminating in a 28-yard scoring pass from quarterback Dane Evans to Keevan Lucas to pull Tulsa within 14 points of the Sooners.
Following that late second-quarter scoring drive, Tulsa crossed up Bob Stoops and the Sooners with an on-side kick that was recovered by the Golden Hurricane at the OU 43-yard line with nine seconds remaining in the first half. One play later, Evans connected with Keyvarris Garrett on a Hail Mary pass to the end zone that left Tulsa just one score down heading into the intermission.
Both quarterbacks put up big passing numbers in the first half of play. Mayfield completed 15 of 19 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns in the opening 30 minutes. The junior quarterback also was the Sooners leading rusher in the first half with 69 yards and two rushing touchdowns, one a 39-yard scamper for a score.
Tulsa’s Evans also had a big first half throwing the football. He completed 19 of 31 passes and continually burned the OU secondary for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Garrett was the workhorse in the Golden Hurricane passing game in the opening half, bringing in 11 pass receptions for 156 yards, working primarily against Oklahoma freshman cornerback P.J. Mabanasor.
Mabanasor is playing as a replacement for starter Jordan Thomas, who is not active for the game because of what was described an internal team matter.
Both teams accounted for 850 yards of total offense in the first half.