Bedlam Lives Up to Namesake, Oklahoma Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
If you like scoring and high-flying offenses, this was the game for you. It was a classic Big 12 game, and more importantly, it was a huge rivalry game in the state of Oklahoma, otherwise known as Bedlam. The game started as a fast-paced race as both teams moved the football with ease. There were seven-straight scoring drives (six touchdowns, one field goal) and it looked like both teams wouldn’t slow down. It was a boxing match that went blow for blow as each team looked unfazed offensively.
It all started when Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon scored first, capping off a four-play drive. But then Oklahoma State capped off their own four-play drive thanks to running back Justice Hill. Both schools traded another pair of scores with Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks and Oklahoma State’s Tyron Johnson finding the end zone and the game was tied at 14. On the very next drive Oklahoma kicker Austin Seibert knocked in a field foal to put the Sooners up 17-14 early in the second quarter, but once again, the Cowboys could not be denied as quarterback Taylor Cornelius found stud wide receiver Tylan Wallace for a 49-yard strike. That lead only last a couple plays because running back Kennedy Brooks took it 45 yards to the house to put the Sooners back on top 24-21 early in the second quarter.
Finally, there was a punt in this game when Oklahoma State’s subsequent drive lasted just four plays with ten minutes left in the first half. Then Sooners were able to knock in another field goal but then, amazingly, both teams traded punts. Each team again swapped touchdowns before the first half came to an end and the Sooners led 34-28.
Both offenses didn’t do anything with their first possessions of the second half, but soon enough, Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard put Oklahoma State back on top with a touchdown run. A few series later, Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks scored right as the third quarter ended to give the Sooners a 41-35 lead entering the final quarter. Once again, the Cowboys responded on the road, stringing together a long ten-play drive that was capped off by another Chuba Hubbard touchdown. But then came a play that ultimately changed the game. Kicker Matt Ammendola missed the extra point and so instead of a one-point lead, the game remained tied at 41 with 12 minutes left in the ball game.
Surprisingly, the Cowboys got a huge stop defensively and just as the Oklahoma State offense was marching down the field to possibly take the lead, Chuba Hubbard coughed up the football and the Sooners recovered. That turnover proved to be costly as Oklahoma scored just six plays later to go up 48-41 with 3:29 left to play. The Cowboys didn’t blink because they were able to drive the ball downfield and found themselves in a 4th and 12 at the Sooner 24-yard line with just 1:03 left in the game. They converted the fourth down when Taylor Cornelius found his favorite target, Tylan Wallace for a touchdown and an extra point away from tying the game with one minute left.
But, down just one point on the road, Mike Gundy decided to roll the dice and go for the two-point conversion. They rolled Taylor Cornelius out to his right and he missed a wide open Tylan Wallace as his pass went behind his wide receiver. Oklahoma was then able to run out the clock to survive 48-47.
For the fourth straight game, the Sooners rushed for over 300 yards as both Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon rushed for over 120 yards and combined for 5 touchdowns. Kyler Murray was fantastic as well throwing for 349 yards and his speedy target, Marquise Brown had 8 catches for 142 yards and a score. Meantime, Oklahoma State QB Taylor Cornelius threw for 501 yards and 3 touchdowns and wide out Tylan Wallace continues to make a name for himself as one of the best wide receivers in the country, catching 10 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
The “D” in Bedlam was missing all afternoon long, as the teams combined for 95 points and 1,342 yards of offense. Oklahoma moves to 9-1 as they keep their Big 12 title and College Football Playoff hopes alive and Oklahoma State drops to 5-5 and has two chances left against West Virginia and TCU to make a bowl game.
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