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Oklahoma Football: More Takeaways From the Shootout at Texas Tech

By Sixto Ortiz

Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general overview of Jones AT&T Stadium during the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 66-59. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; A general overview of Jones AT&T Stadium during the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 66-59. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach Mike Stoops on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners assistant head coach Mike Stoops on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

A Defense Searches For Answers

There is no way to sugarcoat it: The Oklahoma defensive performance against Texas Tech was historically bad. The tale of the tape is ghastly indeed, beginning with Texas Tech’s 854 yards of total offense. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 734 yard, five-touchdown passing performance is now a new NCAA record. Ouch!

The Red Raiders converted an absolutely sick 20 of 25 third downs; Oklahoma’s defense simply couldn’t get off the field, allowing Tech to extend drives and keep piling on the yards. Once again, the Sooner defense could not create turnovers or exert pressure on the quarterback. Oklahoma defenders sacked Mahomes only once and forced just one turnover, an interception by Steven Parker.

Even though Sooner coaches expressed disappointment in this performance and pledged to correct it, the fact is that time is running out on a defense that currently ranks 116th in the country in total defense and 127th nationwide in passing defense (only one other team, Arizona State, is worse than the Sooners at defending the pass).

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