Oklahoma football: Five worst losses of the 2010-19 decade
By Chip Rouse
No. 2 — Dec. 29, 2014 — #18 Clemson 40, Oklahoma 6
A year earlier Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight had played the game of his life, throwing four touchdown passes in a 45-31 Sooner victory over mighty Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
The Sooners were just 8-4 in 2014 entering their Russell Athletic Bowl matchup with 18th-ranked Clemson. An injury to freshman sensation Deshaun Watson relegated former starter Cliff Stoudt to the quarterback spot. While Oklahoma might have considered that a break in its favor going into the game, it certainly failed to turn out that way.
Stoudt riddled the Sooner secondary, completing 26 of 36 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns and receivers Artavis Scott and Mike Williams caught 17 passes between them for a combined 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Knight had one of his worst games as a Sooner. The hero of the previous year’s Sugar Bowl was just 17 of 37 throwing the ball for a measly 103 yards and three interceptions.
Oklahoma was never in this game. Clemson took an early 17-0 lead in the first quarter, and by halftime the Tigers had stretched it out to 27-0. The Sooners found themselves down 40-0 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
OU managed a meaningless score midway through the final quarter to avoid what otherwise would have been a shutout.
Samaje Perine was about the only bright spot in the game for the Sooners. The OU career rushing leader gained 134 yards on 23 carries.