By Soonerguy Mike
The Sooners did not take long to put aside the celebration of Saturday’s 41-20 must-win over the Red Raiders.
On the way back to Oklahoma, the team was watching the Texas-West Virginia game on the plane’s satellite television.
After all, the “Beat the Hell Out of Texas Week” started when the last seconds of a unanswered 17 point third quarter ended at Jones Stadium in Lubbock. With the score then 41-13, the Texas Tech game was over.
A little extra “scouting” never hurts the week before Oklahoma vs. Texas.
But before we all get immersed in upside down hook ’em horns it is important to recognize Landry Jones got a big monkey off his back by leading the Sooners to an impressive win in a place where the Sooners haven’t found success since Jason White quarterbacked them in 2003.
Jones threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns. In so doing he tied my all-time favorite quarterback Steve Davis for the most wins by a quarterback in OU history (at 32).
My, how two weeks can make a difference.
Jones came into this game with Sooner fans ready to run him (and, for some, Coach Bob Stoops too) out of town on the next Amtrak south, after a lousy game of turnovers that caused the Sooners to lose to Kansas State in that last outing in Norman.
No turnovers this time. None of Jones’ 40 passes was even close to being intercepted.
“Landry shut up the haters today,” said WR Kenny Stills, who caught the 13-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to break the game open.
It was Jones’ 100th career TD pass that stretched a slight lead in the second quarter to a 21-13 lead.
After that, the Sooners defense was dominant.
The defense broke a forced-turnover drought by coming up with three turnovers. The defense forced five Texas Tech punts. They gave up only 38 yards in the third quarter.
A highlight was Aaron Colvin’s interception at the line of scrimmage. It was Superman-like. Maybe he’ll do the same, ala Roy Williams, next week in Dallas.
Most impressive was the pressure the Sooner front seven placed on Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege. He was never comfortable. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops dialed up some blitzes and pass rush schemes that the Red Raiders could not handle.
Doege threw three interceptions. Javon Harris grabbed a tipped Doege pass in the third quarter and sprinted 46 yards for a touchdown, putting the Sooners up 38-13 in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Sooners showed they could run the ball. Damien Williams had his best game yet, with 130 all-purpose yards, leading all rushers and receivers.
All in all, it was a good win to gain back some momentum going into the OU-Texas game in Dallas next week. It was also necessary to keep the Sooners relevant in the Big 12 conference race, and even more if they can survive through the difficult conference schedule.
Photo: Michael C. Johnson-US PRESSWIRE
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