Three interceptions too much to overcome, with OU defense failing to stop BU run game
You can’t win against a better football team when your quarterback throws three interceptions.
That was my text to a friend after Dillon Gabriel’s pass intended for Jalil Farooq was tipped up and intercepted by Baylor’s Christian Morgan with 1:52 left in the first half.
At that point there was plenty of football yet to be played — and even though Oklahoma’s defense would have brilliant moments in the second half — my axiom proved true on a cool and crisp Saturday afternoon of football in Norman, where the Baylor Bears defeated the Sooners 38-35.
It was only Baylor’s second win in Norman — ever.
The remarkable thing about this game was that the Sooners were only a field goal away from the Bears for much of the game, despite those turnovers.
In fact, the Sooners played pretty good against as tough of an opponent as exists in the Big 12 (records notwithstanding), leading most of the game in all the statistics except the one that counts: the score.
“That’s the most frustrating part – and that’s what I told the guys afterward – that I hate the fact that there’s going to be a lot of good once we look at it, but we can’t enjoy it. We have to play better. We can’t turn it over and convert when we need to,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said after the game.
Gabriel completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 261 yards and two TDs. He connected four times with receiver Marvin Mims for 120 yards and a score.
Among those good things was the play of Eric Gray, who has proven to be the most valuable player of the Sooners this year.
Gray carried the ball 23 times for 106 yards and two TDs. It marked the sixth time in nine games that Gray has topped the century mark this year.
“Eric did today what he’s done all year. Whatever we’ve asked him to do … he’s as consistent a player as we’ve had,” Coach Brent Venables said.
Another positive was WR Marvin Mims. After last week’s 16 yard pass catch performance against Iowa State, Mims bounced back with three catches for 112 yards and a touchdown and moved into 11th place in the program’s career receiving yards list.
Unfortunately, with the INTs, unfortunate penalties and defensive busts that gave Baylor quick scores, the Sooners fell short.
“We couldn’t get out of our own way at the right times,” Venables said.
Gabriel’s first interception came in the first quarter when his pass was deflected and Baylor’s Dillon Doyle grabbed it.
The second miscue was a pass by Gabriel that bounced off intended receiver Brayden Willis’ hand and into the hands of Baylor’s Devin Lemear on the first play of the second quarter. Baylor kicked a field goal four plays later, giving them 10 points off turnovers.
Going into this game the key for Oklahoma was stopping Baylor’s run game.
This loss keeps the Sooners in the muck they found themselves in during their three-loss skid that knocked them out of any conference championship contention
At times they did. But, by the end the Bears had netted 281 yards in 48 rushing attempts and scored all five of their touchdowns on the ground.
Running back Craig Williams had 192 yards on 25 carries. Late in the game the Bears seem to wear the Sooners defense down, particular the front four, putting greater pressure on the secondary to make the tackles.
“When we needed to get a stop the most, we didn’t do it. There were situations where they did respond well but we just couldn’t get off the field on fourth downs,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said.
On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma gained 499 yards of total offense (261 passing, 238 rushing). It totaled at least 200 passing yards and 200 rushing yards for the fifth time in nine games this season.
Oklahoma had the opportunity to turn the tide for an otherwise disappointing season. A win over Baylor would have been an injection of positivity that would carry Oklahoma into the remaining three conference games as a favorite.
Instead, this loss keeps the Sooners in the muck they found themselves in during their three-loss skid that knocked them out of any conference championship contention.
Yes, Baylor was the better football team going into this game. They remained the better football team afterward.
But this loss puts the Sooners as a candidate for “most disappointing” football team in the Big 12.
photo credit: Rod Aydelotte – Waco Tribune-Herald
NEXT UP: At West Virginia, 11 am November 12. (FS1)
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