OU-Houston quick-hit: Sooners survive Cougars, just barely
Nobody saw that one coming for the second game of the OU season. Houston showed very little life last week but that changed in a hurry in Week 2.
This was a tussle, very much in doubt late, late into the fourth quarter for Brent Venables and company. A stunned crowd in Norman.
OU offense didn’t score in the second half, but the defense did just enough (including score) to preserve a 16-12 victory Saturday night against the Cougars.
Gassed OU defense guts it out
No other way to describe it. Time of possession was so in favor of Houston. The Cougars had a plan and stuck to it and ran it to perfection.
The OU offense looked rattled. The defense had to make one big stop after another. Robert Spears-Jennings providing some help with an interception in the fourth quarter.
Still? It came down to one final drive. Houston took over with 1:48 left, trailing 14-12 with all three timeouts left. OU defense, whew, got the job done.
Gracen Halton. Safety.
Again, take that breath. Nobody saw that coming.
Hometown boy gets his moment(s)
You couldn’t stop Jake Roberts from celebrating. A Norman native, Roberts transferred to OU during the offseason.
The Sooners had three tight ends on the field for this third-and-two. Nice play design and Jackson Arnold found Roberts for the 11-yard touchdown.
Roberts was running all over the end zone to celebrate. A long, long road to Norman and the first of what he is hoping is many more touchdowns to come in 2024.
Roberts put the game away with a 29-yard reception with OU leading 16-12 in the final minute.
Carter on the spot
For the second straight week, it was linebacker Lewis Carter making a play. Nope, not at linebacker just yet. However, special teams has become his thing.
Carter didn’t hear a whistle, so he kept on playing. The initial punt of the game was ruled a muff although nobody seemed to be sure if Houston touched it.
Carter didn’t care and raced to recover the ball before it went out of bounds. It was huge, obviously. Jackson Arnold threw a touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson on the very next play to make it 7-0.
Up next
First afternoon home game. OU welcomes Tulane to Norman at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday. The Green Wave were involved in one of the better games Saturday, losing 34-27 against No. 17 Kansas State. Tulane (1-1) is no pushover.
