At the buzzer takeaways: OU gets back on track, dominates Tulsa
TULSA – Well, that’s what a lot of OU fans wanted to see. After struggling midway into the fourth quarter last week, the trip up the road to Tulsa was supposed to be a get-right game.
It sure was, especially early. Oklahoma’s offense and defense brought their best stuff early to eliminate any upset attempt. The Sooners go back to Norman with a 66-17 victory and another 3-0 start under Brent Venables.
Takeaway No. 1: First quarter passing blitz
If you felt the offensive game plan was a tad too conservative last week, then Dillon Gabriel and Jeff Lebby ended that with the very first play.
Gabriel connected on a deep ball to Andrel Anthony for 55 yards on OU’s first play from scrimmage. It was a sign of things to come with Gabriel and a trio of receivers.
That’s a little more like it when it comes to Anthony, Jalil Farooq and Drake Stoops. They combined for eight catches for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter.
Farooq had one, while Stoops had the other two. Gabriel was 12-of-13 passing for 197 yards with three touchdowns en route to a four-touchdown, 315-yard first half.
Nic Anderson arrived in a big way, catching three passes for three touchdowns. Only way you’re going to know if you can count on them is to let ’em run.
Get the playmakers involved and watch them work. Not a bad idea. Gabriel might agree, throwing for 421 yards and five touchdowns.
Takeaway No. 2: Three early INTs (and five total) make life easier
Look, this has a strange start for OU. Farooq had a nice kickoff return but fumbled for OU’s initial giveaway of the season.
However, the defense was up to the task. With one interception after another. It started with Gentry Williams on the first drive.
Then with OU up 14-0, Danny Stutsman had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. And Kendel Dolby closed out the ridiculous first quarter with OU’s third pick.
OU allowed 72 yards on 22 plays with the three turnovers in the first 15 minutes.
The Sooners ended up with a whopping five interceptions. Key Lawrence and Trace Ford each had one in the second half. Five!
Takeaway No. 3: Young pups emerging
Another concern from SMU week was where are some of the young guys? Especially at wide receiver? That was answered emphatically, on both sides of the ball.
From guys like Nic Anderson on offense and P.J. Adebawore on defense. It was a fun afternoon. Anderson didn’t have a touchdown in his career and left Tulsa with three.
Adebawore recorded his first career sack.
And when OU let Jackson Arnold have some fun, he did. Arnold threw a beautiful 50-yard touchdown pass to Anderson to close out the third quarter. Peyton Bowen had two pass breakups.
Again, that’s a little more like it.
Up next
No. 19 OU (3-0) begins conference play at Cincinnati. The Sooners and Bearcats are set for Big Noon Kickoff on FOX next Saturday.
