At the buzzer takeaways: OU does its job; time for Texas
The question heading into OU and Iowa State was whether the Sooners would be overlooking the Cyclones and getting ready for Texas.
There were some stumbles in the first half. The Oklahoma defense eventually found its footing, and the No. 14 Sooners took home a 50-20 victory against the visiting Cyclones.
Here are some quick at the buzzer takeaways as Brent Venables is 5-0 in his second year leading the Sooners.
Gabriel, receivers put on a show
After a described ‘weird’ game in Cincinnati, that wasn’t the case for the OU offense in this one. And it certainly wasn’t the case for quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel accounted for 273 yards in the first half with four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) to try to erase the inconsistency from the week before.
He was fired up right from the beginning, running over a defender for one score. He got into the face of another after his second rushing touchdown. He threw a beautiful 39-yard touchdown connection to Nic Anderson.
Almost as impressive was the outings from Brenen Thompson and Jayden Gibson. Look, they’re not going to get 8-10 targets per game. But if their number is called, they need to be ready.
Thompson had a 54-yard reception in the first half. Gibson answered with a 41-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Gabriel threw for 366 yards and accounted for five total touchdowns.
Bowman, defense make big plays before rolling again
OU isn’t causing many fumbles, but the Sooners are absolutely ball-hawking like crazy. In this game, it started in the very initial drive.
Safety Billy Bowman picked off a pass on the third play from scrimmage. But that wasn’t enough. Bowman then showed his ball skills and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown.
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That’s what happens when guys are playing well. Key Lawrence has been so good in recent weeks that it’s forcing other safeties to step up their game.
It’s the second straight week for an interception by Bowman.
Gentry Wiliams got into the fun later in the second quarter. This one was huge for OU because the Sooners turned it into a touchdown right before halftime.
A strong close saw 21-20 turn into 40-20 at halftime. Included in that was a blocked punt by freshman Peyton Bowen that resulted in a safety.
Time for Texas
Both teams did their part. Texas took care of Kansas at home 40-14 earlier in the day. Then the Sooners finished the job vs. Iowa State.
No. 3 Texas and No. 14 OU will both enter the Red River Rivalry undefeated for the first time since 2011. Both teams are 5-0 going against each other for the first time since 2008.
Cotton Bowl, final battle in the Big 12, get ready. Your first prediction? This is not going to be a 49-0 game like last year.
Gabriel, of course, didn’t play against the Longhorns last season.
