Mayfield makes coach proud in Sooners win

NORMAN, OKLA. >> Baker Mayfield threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns after being punished for directing a lewd gesture toward the Kansas bench last week, and Oklahoma routed West Virginia 59-31 on Saturday to maintain its momentum heading into the Big 12 Championship game.

Mayfield was stripped of his captaincy and starting job for the game, his final home game as a Sooner. He received the loudest cheers when the seniors were announced, then more loud cheers when he entered the game on Oklahoma’s second possession.

“I was proud of him,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. “I thought he held it in check. He was emotional before. Lot of thought for him to play the way he did considering all the things going on the past week.”

He completed 14 of 17 passes in a nearly flawless performance likely keeping him at the front of the Heisman Trophy race.

“(Number) Six is the best player in college football,” West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen said. “He has a lot of really good people around him.”

Rodney Anderson ran for 118 yards and four touchdowns for the Sooners (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, No. 4 CFP). They will play TCU for the Big 12 title next Saturday.

Oklahoma gained 646 yards in winning its seventh in a row.

West Virginia’s Chris Chugunov passed for 137 yards in his first start. He stepped in for Will Grier, who injured a finger the previous week against Texas. Kennedy McKoy ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns for the Mountaineers (7-5, 5-4).

Kyler Murray, a transfer from Texas A&M, started in Mayfield’s place and took off for a 66-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Anderson scored on the next play to put the Sooners up 7-0.

Mayfield took over and completed 11 of 12 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.