It is called Bedlam. And it was all that.
In the first overtime game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State and another 500-yard passing performance by QB Landry Jones, the Sooners lead only once in this game — when it mattered, at the end, coming from behind to win 51-48.
Most fans stayed around afterward to celebrate with the players on Owen Field.
Oklahoma State led most of the game, getting off to a 14-0 lead before the Sooners scored in the first quarter. The Senior Jones’ passing kept the Sooners hanging on, matching the Cowboys score for score. But in the overtime, it was an improbable 18-yard run by Brennan Clay that lifted 14th ranked Oklahoma over the 22nd ranked Oklahoma State team.
Jones’ last appearance at Owen Field was a great final chapter to a career that found the Artesia, New Mexico native becoming the most prolific quarterback in Oklahoma and Big 12 history, but still facing criticism from fans upset with occasional turnovers that, for example, lead to losses against Kansas State and Notre Dame (two teams later be number 1 in the nation).
“No better way,” Jones said. “God blessed me so much tonight to be able to go out like this.
“There’s no better way to go out.”
The Sooners wiped out double-digit deficits in both halves. With a mere four seconds left in regulation, after Jones had commanded an impressive 16-play drive when it was needed the most, backup quarterback Blake Bell tied it with a 4-yard keeper on fourth-and-1.
The victory kept alive Oklahoma’s chances for at least a share of the Big 12 championship. The Sooners could win it outright by beating TCU next week if No. 7 Kansas State loses to Texas.
“Football’s a crazy game,” Jones said. “There’s up sand downs, good and bad. You have to stay somewhere in that middle ground, realizing who you are and what you’re capable of and what type of offense you are.
“When you need a play, just go out and make it.”
On the Sooners’ second play, Clay got through traffic at the line of scrimmage and then broke through attempted tackles by Daytawion Lowe and Shamiel Gary to score the game-winner and set off an unusually giddy celebration on Owen Field.
The Sooners had lost only three times at home in Bob Stoops’ first 13 seasons but dropped games this season against Kansas State and Notre Dame.
Players ran around the field in celebration, joining fans in the stands in leaping up and down when “Jump Around” was blared over the loudspeaker.
“It always feels great to go out on a win,” Jones said.
The Sooner win was revenge for a 44-10 loss in Stillwater last year. The Sooners had won eight Bedlam games in a row before that.
With his second straight 500-yard passing game, Jones surpassed Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell to become the Big 12’s career passing leader. He also became the first Bowl Subdivision quarterback ever to throw for 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in four seasons.
He led Oklahoma’s first fourth-quarter comeback victory in five years a week earlier, beating West Virginia 50-49 on a pass to Kenny Stills with 24 seconds left.
“What more do you want from the guy? The guy was, again, fabulous out there tonight,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. “He threw the ball all over. He threw it well, throwing bullets everywhere.”
Jones finished 46 of 71, both school records, with an interception. Three Sooners receivers had more than 100 yards receiving.
Jalen Saunders tied it at 38 on the second play of the fourth quarter, dodging three early tackles and racing 81 yards up the Sooners’ sideline to score on a punt return.
Oklahoma State answered two possessions later, going 77 yards and taking a 45-38 lead on J.W. Walsh’s 2-yard keeper with 10:41 remaining. The Cowboys sacked Jones on third down and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down to get the ball back with 7:07 to play, but went three-and-out to give it right back and set up Oklahoma’s tying drive.
“We’re strong,” Clay said. “We’re strong-willed and we can face adversity. We can go through any obstacle, and we know this offense is very potent.”
PHOTO CREDIT: THE OKLAHOMAN
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