Oklahoma football: Takeaways from the 28-13 win over #22 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma football hosted #22 Oklahoma State on Saturday, in the nation’s most lopsided rivalry.

The Sooners came into the day leading the series 90-7-19, though the Cowboys did claim victory over the Sooners the year prior in Bedlam.

Oklahoma hosted several recruits including seven five-star prospects. The game was huge for the Sooners for multiple reasons, one you want to look good for the prospects in the stands, two because the Sooners stood at just 5-5, meaning bowl eligibility had not yet been attained, and third because dude it would really stink to lose to the Cowboys twice in a row.

Spoiler alert; Oklahoma did not lose the football game. Oklahoma displayed a level of dominance in the first quarter they had not shown since the game in Lincoln, taking a commanding 28-0 lead after the opening period, the largest disparity in the 117-year-old rivalry contest. Though the offense went AWOL the last three quarters, the Sooners dominated the Cowboys by the final score of 28-13 on the back of an outstanding defensive performance.

The good

The dominant first quarter, the most lopsided opening stanza in the history of the Bedlam series. The Sooners outclassed the Pokes in every facet of the game.

Drake Stoops, if this is the favorite son’s final home game, the senior made it count with a career game including an absolutely ridiculous first-quarter grab.

In the running game, though for whatever reason coach Lebby decided to go away from it the running backs Jovantae Barnes, and Eric Gray ran absolutely wild, and the offensive line paved the way.

The defense, they were disruptive and caused a ton of chaos. Picking off First Team All-Big 12 QB Spencer Sanders four times, sacking him six and recording 13 tackles for loss.

The bad

Jeff Lebby had his worst performance as a play caller on Saturday evening. After a brilliant first quarter, and a few execution issues like drops, fumbles, and a bad interception in the second quarter. In the second half, he refused to run the clock which allowed Oklahoma State to run 103 plays of offense. Lebby will need to be better, and he knows it.

The passing game was abysmal as the game progressed, the wide receivers struggled to get open against man coverage, and Gabriel struggled with accuracy. The combination of the two set the Sooners back 12 consecutive series without coming away with points.

Robert Congel, boy did the Sooners miss Andrew Raym, who reported he had successful surgery on Twitter today. Congel’s snaps were poorly timed, and low which threw off the rhythm of the offense, and helped contribute to the poor performance. In addition, he wasn’t exactly doing well blocking either. OU will have to address this issue, whether it’s more reps for Congel or turning elsewhere.

The Oklahoma football play of the game

There were a lot of exciting plays in the game, but for me, the best play came early in the contest in fact less than a minute into the game. Drake Stoops with an incredible adjustment on a poorly located ball from Dillon Gabriel. Highlight reel grab if there ever was one.

Players of the game

Offense: WR Drake Stoops

The senior WR had six grabs for 89 yards and a touchdown. He impacted the game in critical moments throughout the first quarter. Coach Bob Stoops said his son is still considering returning, Oklahoma fans should cross their fingers.

Defense: CB CJ Coldon and DT Jordan Kelley

The Wyoming transfer scored an interception, had seven tackles and brought big-time assistance against the run, and had three more pass-break-ups.

Jordan Kelley was an absolute force in the contest recording 2.5 sacks and was in on six tackles.

Conclusion

Wow. When the defense is clicking it’s an absolutely beautiful thing, and we saw the hope that had escaped quite a few times this season on the future of the program. Offensively, Oklahoma will clearly need to make some moves on the staff starting with filling the void left by Cale Gundy at the WR position. In addition, OU will need better and more consistent QB play next year, whether that’s from Jackson Arnold, Nick Evers, or a leveled-up Dillon Gabriel.

Oklahoma football needed that win to get bowl eligible and it’s clear the Sooners were in desperate need of those additional bowl practices with a young squad and the new system. I also thought Stutsman and Ugwoegbu had an excellent day from the linebacker positions. Oh and make that 91 Bedlam wins for the crimson and cream!