Start is shaky, but Sooners shine after that
Oklahoma’s 49-27 victory over Texas Tech was quite strange. The Sooners failed to stop the Red Raiders in the first quarter, then became defensively dominant. Meanwhile, OU’s offense never was slowed, and the grades reflect a solid victory.
Defensive adjustments
ATexas Tech posted 20 points and 211 total yards on 21 plays in the first quarter. But Mike Stoops switched to a four-man front, and the Red Raiders had just seven points and 226 yards, on 49 snaps, the rest of the game. The move was made ostensibly to stop Tech tailback Tre King, who gained 61 yards on 11 firstquarter carries. But it really stymied Tech quarterback Nic Shimonek, who in the first quarter completed all seven of his passes for 139 yards but went 15 of 29 for 183 yards the rest of the game.
Baker Mayfield
With Saquon Barkley not having a stellar day for Penn State, Mayfield had a chance to bolster his Heisman Trophy campaign. Mayfield had solid numbers — 22 of 34 passing, 281 yards, four touchdowns — but missed some throws he normally hits. He overthrew Mark Andrews and Justus Parker intercepted. Mayfield misfired on deep throws to Marquise Brown and Abdul Adams, and overthrew Rodney Anderson on a wheel route that would have been a huge gainer.
Pass coverage
CTech was the first in a series of Air Raid foes the Sooners will face down the stretch, and that has to leave Lincoln Riley and Co. feeling a little antsy. Shimonek had open receivers consistently, though he didn’t always hit them and/or they didn’t always make the catch. Cornerback Parnell Motley, an early-season sensation, again struggled in coverage and at times tackling. The Sooners let Keke Coutee and Dylan Cantrell free for long touchdown catches in the first half, and T.J. Vasher was a constant thorn in the second half, with five catches for 98 yards.
Alumni band
AOne of the better homecoming traditions is the Pride of Oklahoma alums who come back and march in pregame. Better yet, two alum drum majors led the band and, yes, did the backbend.
Neither guy looked all that ancient, but still, the drum major backbend is not the norm for even the most physically fit.
Run game
AYes, it was Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders are more physical than in recent years. And it did them no good. OU tailbacks, led by Rodney Anderson, combined for 296 yards on 38 carries. Anderson had 181 yards on 24 carries and ran with abandon that suggests he will be the starter.
Start
CRemember the good old days when OU would start fast and then struggle? You know, September and early October? Well, those days are gone. OU the last two weeks has allowed more than 200 total yards both first quarters. At least this week, the Sooner offense kept up, answering all three Tech touchdowns. But the sluggish start made for a very uneasy atmosphere surrounding Owen Field.
Defensive ends
AOgbonnia Okoronkwo had his usual big game, with 10 tackles, five of them solo and one of them a sack. But D.J. Ward had a big game on the other side, with three solo tackles and two sacks.