Norman, Oklahoma USA

Sooner defense saves stuttering offense in 27-13 win over Iowa State

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Lebby channels some Bob Stoops with fake FG

Kicker Zach Schmit scores a TD on a fake punt in the second quarter to extend the first half Sooner lead in Ames.

Midway through the third quarter the early stellar play by Oklahoma’s defense was called into question.  

Iowa State converted on a 4th and 11 and then again on 4th and 12, scoring a touchdown to cut the Sooner lead to 20-13. 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma offense hit a brick wall, with three drives in a row ending in three and outs.  

But that’s when the defense came back to life in the fourth quarter, getting two of their three interceptions to kill any chance the Cyclones of making a homefield comeback and securing a much needed 27-13 win in Ames.

Redshirt senior safety Justin Broiles and sophomore linebacker Danny Stutsman grabbed the crucial fourth quarter interceptions. 

The win moved the Sooners record to 5-3 for the season and 2-3 in Big 12 play.

It was the largest margin of victory the Sooners have had over Iowa State since 2015.

QB Dillon Gabriel was 15-of-26 passing for 148 yards and one touchdown. A dancing running back Eric Gray led rushers with 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and sophomore Jalil Farooq was the Sooners’ leading receiver with three catches for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma’s key receiver Marvin Mims had three important drops, one that would have scored and given Oklahoma a commanding first half lead.

Defensively, fifth-year senior linebacker DaShaun White led Oklahoma with 14 tackles while redshirt senior defensive tackle Jordan Kelley recorded the Sooners’ lone sack. 

The defense held Iowa State to only 66 yards rushing. Only six in the first half.
 
The first half was indeed a defensive struggle. The only player for either team to score was their kicker.
 
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby channeled some Bob Stoops in the first half, calling a fake field goal that had kicker Zach Schmit take a toss from holder Michael Turk to run into the end zone with 12:23 left in the second quarter. Schmit also hit field goals of 41 and 34 yards in the first half, giving him 13 first half points for OU.
 
The first non-kicker points for Oklahoma was not until the third quarter when Gabriel found a wide open Farooz across the middle of the field for a 41-yard touchdown pass play.

It was Farooq’s second TD this season. Farooq also recorded two carries for 26 yards, which included a 20-yard run in the third quarter.

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