COLLEGE FOOTBALL
While Texas and TCU fall in scoring slugfests against Oklahoma schools, Baylor gets the last laugh.
FORT WORTH — Baker Mayfield made up for two lost fumbles with four touchdowns, running for two and throwing two to Dede Westbrook, and Oklahoma held on to win its Big 12 opener, 52-46 at No. 21 TCU on Saturday.
After giving up 21 points in the first quarter for the first time in 20 years, the Sooners (2-2) went ahead to stay with 28 consecutive points in the second quarter. Westbrook was wide open on a flea flicker for a 67-yarder that put Oklahoma up 28-21, and Mayfield then hit in him stride again for a 40-yard score.
“That’s Baker for you,” said Westbrook, smiling.
Mayfield was facing TCU for the first time since saying before the Orange Bowl last year that TCU was the team that disappointed him the most in recruiting, and claiming the Horned Frogs “kind of drug it out” without offering a scholarship while he turned down other offers.
TCU coach Gary Patterson and Mayfield both insisted this week all that was in the past, with Mayfield even saying things were blown out of proportion. But when they were the same field, the Sooners junior quarterback was 23of-30 passing for 274 yards.
“Everybody was saying our season was over, but to start the conference off 1-0 against one of the better teams in the conference, especially on the road, it’s going to be a confidence booster for us,” Mayfield said. “Personally, just moving forward, it’s great to see the offense have some success and realize our full potential.”
The Sooners had a 49-24 lead after Samaje Perine’s second TD run, a 1-yarder late in the third quarter. Perine finished with 105 yards on 16 carries.
Kenny Hill completed 26 of 44 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns for the Frogs (3-2, 1-1 Big 12), including scoring strikes of 64 and 74 yards to Taj Williams in the fourth quarter.
“Well, I like the way we fought back. What I wasn’t happy with was we did it when they let down,” Patterson said. “The defense, you can’t give up big plays by not doing your job on double moves and you’ve got to tackle.
“Offensively after 21 points, we didn’t play for two quarters.”