Oklahoma back runs for 170 yards

NORMAN, Okla. — Brennan Clay helped Oklahoma overcome its spotty passing game.

The senior running back had a career-high 170 yards rushing as Oklahoma switched quarterbacks in the second half and still beat West Virginia 16-7.

The No. 16 Sooners (2-0, 1-0) scored the game’s final 16 points after trailing 7-0 in the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Trevor Knight threw a pair of third-quarter interceptions, leading to junior Blake Bell taking over in the fourth quarter.

Clay finished with 22 carries, leading an Oklahoma offense that had 316 yards rushing and topping his previous best of 157 yards rushing against Iowa State in 2012.

Paul Millard was 21 of 42 passing for 218 yards for the Mountaineers (1-1, 0-1), whose lone score came on a 75-yard touchdown run by Dreamius Smith in the first quarter.

The game was anything but the offensive showcase the teams put NO. 16 OKLAHOMA 16,

WEST VIRGINIA 7 on last season, when they combined for 1,440 yards of total offense in a 50-49 Oklahoma victory.

Of course, the Sooners had four-year starter Landry Jones at quarterback in that game and West Virginia’s offense featured Geno Smith, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.

Both teams entered this season featuring new quarterbacks, with Knight winning a preseason competition with Bell and Millard taking over for Smith after beating out transfer Clint Trickett. Knight struggled throwing the ball in last week’s 34-0 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, but he ran for 103 yards and Millard threw for 237 yards in a come-from-behind victory over William and Mary.

Neither starter looked comfortable throwing the ball through three quarters, when they were a combined 25 of 52 passing for 288 yards with 3 interceptions.