Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Grading the Sooners at mid-term of 2020 season

By Chip Rouse

Oct 24, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Seth McGowan (1) jumps over TCU Horned Frogs safety Nook Bradford (28) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Seth McGowan (1) jumps over TCU Horned Frogs safety Nook Bradford (28) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2020; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) dives for a touchdown past Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Brian Asamoah (24) during the second half at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Skylar Thompson (10) dives for a touchdown past Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Brian Asamoah (24) during the second half at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Fourth quarter performance: F

As dominant as the Sooners have been this season in the opening quarter, the fourth quarter has been the exact opposite. Oklahoma’s precipitous drop-off late in games cost the Sooners dearly in their two losses and nearly cost them in the Red River game with Texas.

Oklahoma has been outscored by an embarrassing margin of 52-23 in the final quarter this season, which is a prime reason why OU is 3-2 instead of 5-0. The Sooners have led in the fourth quarter in every game they’ve played this season.

The Sooners led Kansas State 35-21 after three quarters but surrendered 17 unanswered points over the final 15 minutes, resulting in a 38-35 loss.

With a little over eight minutes remaining against Iowa State, Oklahoma led 30-23. The Sooners squandered that advantage, however, allowing the Cyclones to score a kick-return touchdown immediately after OU had taken the lead and add a game-winning touchdown drive on the very next Iowa State possession. Just like that, a 30-23 upside turned into a 37-30 defeat.

If you eliminate the fourth quarter of Oklahoma games this season, the Sooners are outscoring their opponents 154-68.

The Sooners not only need to do a much better job finishing games in the second half, they need to find a way to close out games. Perhaps the momentum from the wins over Texas and TCU will carry over into the second half of the season.

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