The ghosts of defenses past returned to Owen Field on Saturday night, letting Iowa State launch a second-half comeback, only to fall short of a game winning two-point conversion when Sooner defensive back Pernell Motley’s interception saved a frustrating 42-41 win for Oklahoma.
But it was a spectacular game by receiver CeeDee Lamb, who caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns before halftime, that provided the positive impact for the Sooners.
That offense went quiet in the second half. Oklahoma managed just 24 offensive yards on 10 plays in the fourth quarter.
“You got to win tough games, ” said Coach Lincoln Riley afterward. “I want to play a lot better. I want to play better in the second half and blow them out worse than anybody in this room. But, winning is winning. And that’s a win.”
Many of Oklahoma’s offensive plays were QB Jalen Hurts running. He had a season high 22 carriers for 68 yards. Most of his runs were scrambling, with the offensive line picket collapsing after good coverage by the Cyclones secondary.
Hurts finished 18 of 26 passes for 273 yards, and three touchdowns. Those good numbers were overshadowed, however, by a late fourth quarter interception that gave Iowa State a short field in the final minutes of the game, setting up what would have been a game-winning two point conversion.
A highlight was the running of Kennedy Brooks, who finished the game with 132 yards rushing, including a 48-yard touchdown run behind the blocking of Lamb. That score put Oklahoma up 42-21 late in the third quarter.
Then Iowa State had three consecutive scoring drives — the last ending in a 13-yard touchdown catch by ISU’s tight end Charlie Kolar, a Norman native playing for the Cyclones.
For much of the second half the Oklahoma defense struggled. Four of Iowa State’s first five sustained drives resulted in a touchdown. But the goal line stop by the OU defense sealed the win in the end.
Meanwhile, the defense had not had a turnover since September 28 against Texas Tech. Their last interception was against UCLA on September 14.
Motley’s take away on the two point conversion was the turnover most needed this season.
Photo credit: Jackson Stewart/OU Daily
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