A career 203-yard day for running back Jovantae Barnes led Oklahoma to a 59-14 walloping of the Maine Black Bears to snap a three-game losing streak — a much needed easy day for the Sooners (5-4, 1-4 SEC), who moved a game closer to bowl eligibility with the win.

The non-conference matchup allowed Oklahoma to improve its rushing game, something plagued by injuries and poor performances along the offensive line much of this season.

“It feels good, but I can’t celebrate so much,” Barnes said. “I think it’s a good moment to build off of this as an offense, as a team, and go on to next week’s practice and just work. So it was a good start to something.”

Barnes erupted in the first quarter with a 74-yard run down the Maine sideline to set up the Sooner’s first touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. After that there was no looking back. He had 158 yards on 11 carries in the first half alone. The last time an Oklahoma back rushed for at least 150 in a half was Samaje Perine who had 222 in 2014 against Kansas.

Meanwhile, QB Jackson Arnold had a good day, especially finding WR J.J. Hester. Hester caught three passes in the first half, including a career-high 98-yard touchdown, his first since transferring to OU in 2022. He finished the game with four catches for 112 yards.

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