The Cougars were able to put on a good audition for the Big 12 and defeat the No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners. This was the first time in school history that the Cougars defeated two top ten teams in consecutive wins, dating back to last year’s Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl win against Florida State.
The Sooners come out of the gates fast with the running attack of Joe Mixon taking the ball to the house for a 32-yard touchdown. Mixon was able to split the Cougars defense straight up the middle for the easy score. Greg Ward Jr. and the Cougars offense were able to drive down field with the help of a pass interference call on Dakota Austin of the Sooners and get a field goal.
In another drive, Baker Mayfield launched the ball downfield to Mixon for a 60-yard completion. He was tackled at the 15-yard line. The Sooners would go no further and would have to settle for a field goal. Ward Jr. then came back and threw a strike to Steven Dunbar for a 32-yard gain that gave the Cougars a first and goal. The Cougars once again could not score a touchdown in the red zone but instead made a field goal. Ward Jr. came back later and lofted the ball to Isaiah Johnson for a monster gain. Two plays later, Ward Jr. found Catalon for a 15-yard touchdown.
The Sooners were able to answer back quickly. Mayfield found tight end Mark Andrews wide open for a 64-yard touchdown. Ty Cummings’ field goal was good. It was an 11 play drive with 59 yards accrued. Linell Bonner of the Cougars made an incredible catch on third down and long, tip-toeing the sideline. Ty Cummings made a career long field 47 yards right before the half. That field goal gave the Cougars the lead going into half 19-17. Mayfield did not throw an incomplete pass until the second half.
Brandon Wilson returned a missed field goal 101 yards for the touchdown. That was his fourth career special team’s touchdown. The Cougars Matthew Adams knocked a ball loose from Jarvis Baxter of the Sooners and Howard Wilson recovered the ball for the Cougars. Ward Jr. and company were able to march down the field after the fumble and score a touchdown. Tyler McCloskey was the recipient of the touchdown.
At the conclusion of the third quarter, the Cougars were leading the Sooners 33-17. Mayfield was hit by Tyus Bowser in the backfield and fumbled the ball. Cameron Malveaux recovered the ball for the Cougars. The offense of the Cougars was not able to capitalize on the turnover and went three and out. Ward Jr. went on to fumble the hand off to Catalon at the goal line in a future drive. The Sooners’ Will Johnson was able to recover the ball in the end zone for a touchback. Mayfield then threw his second touchdown to Andrews. The Sooners were not successful on the two-point conversion.
Greg Ward Jr. ended the game with 321 yards and two touchdowns. This was Ward’s fourth time in his career having a 300-yard game. The leading receiver, Dunbar, ended the game with 125 yards receiving. Mayfield of the Sooners threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns. Semaje Perine was only able to gather 31 yards on the ground.
This was a statement win for the new-look Cougars. They could very well win out the rest of the season, if they play at the same level as they did versus the #3 ranked Sooners.