Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: No. 18 Sooners corral Ponies for 28-11 defensive win

By Chip Rouse

Sep 9, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Marcus Major (24) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Andrel Anthony (5) and Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Andrew Raym (73) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Marcus Major (24) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Andrel Anthony (5) and Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Andrew Raym (73) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a battle of two offensive-minded teams it was the defenses that made the difference in this game with the 18th-ranked Oklahoma football Sooners pulling out a 28-11 victory over visiting SMU.

The Sooners (2-0) never trailed in the game, but it took a 14-point fourth quarter to put away the pesky Mustangs (1-1), who had closed to within three points, 14-11, early in the final frame on a two-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion. The SMU touchdown at the 12:09 mark of the fourth quarter was the first touchdown given up by the Oklahoma defense in seven quarters to start the 2023 season.

Dillon Gabriel completed 19 of 27 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns to complete the Oklahoma scoring and junior running back Tawee Walker rushed for 117 yards on 21 carries, an average of 5.6 yards per carry to lead the Sooner offense.

Eight OU receivers caught passes in the game led by Michigan transfer Andrel Anthony who caught seven passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

But this game belonged to the Oklahoma defense. The Sooners did give up 367 yards of total offense by SMU, but they made the big play when they needed to and limited a very potent Mustang offense to just 4.6 yards per play. OU also forced two critical turnovers by the SMU offense deep in Sooner territory that turned away SMU scoring threats.

815. Final. 11. 884. 28

Oklahoma took a quick 7-0 lead when freshman strong safety Peyton Bowen blocked a punt on SMU’s first offensive possession. The Sooners took over on the SMU 29-yard line and scored in three plays on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to a wide-open Anthony.

SMU actually outgained the Sooners 367 to 365 and held the ball nearly five minutes longer than OU (32:20 to 27:40). While Oklahoma scored in 9 of 11 possessions in a Week 1 blowout of Arkansas State, the Sooners scored in only four of 12 possessions on Saturday against SMU, but that was enough to cover the 15.5-point spread.

The Sooner defense bent but failed to break in turning away an upset-minded SMU team that has just one win over Oklahoma in eight tries.

Next up for the Sooners is a road trip to Tulsa next Saturday. The Golden Hurricane are coached by former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

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