Telling the story: OU 28, SMU 11
Every play matters in a college football game but some do a better job of explaining the outcome than others. Here are the five plays that told the story of Oklahoma’s 28-11 victory against SMU.
OU 28, SMU 11
Play No. 1: Bowen is a playmaker
Safety Peyton Bowen makes plays even when he’s not designed to be the guy. Guess that’s what being a five-star can mean.
Even head coach Brent Venables said that wasn’t expected to be a moment for Bowen. But, well, he makes things happen.
We start with Bowen’s blocked punt that gave OU an early cushion. We were still learning just how difficult of an offensive night it was going to be for the Sooners. Getting a short field did wonders.
“So it was low-key live,” Bowen said. “Like especially for this game just because I feel like personally it was one of those more upbeat games where it was close for the whole game until the fourth (quarter). And so it was a surreal moment. Once I saw I had the opportunity I was like dang, it would be nice to block it. But hey, it worked out.”
Bowen’s blocked punt led to Dillon Gabriel’s first of four touchdown passes and gave OU a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.
Play No. 2: Lawrence, Stutsman combine for takeaway
Fast forward to the third quarter, and the score has been stuck on OU 14-3 for quite some time. Here come the Mustangs, though.
Jaylan Knighton is in the middle of a 23-yard run to set up SMU deep in OU territory until Key Lawrence makes a game-changing play.
Lawrence tracks down Knighton and punches the ball out near the sideline. The ball never goes out of bounds, and Danny Stutsman secures the turnover.
“I wasn’t really doing anything, just running to the ball,” Stutsman said. “You talk about straining to the ball. Key did a tremendous job of fighting it out there. Woodi keeping it inbounds. I was right there. I didn’t want to scoop it. I didn’t want to mess it up so I just wanted to lay on it. I could have been flashy and tried to pick it up. Let the offense do its thing. I have all the faith in the world with them.”
Stutsman and Lawrence were two of the defensive stars against SMU, no question.
Play No. 3: Welcome to 2023, Farooq
OK, now it’s getting dicey. It’s 14-11 for OU, and there’s a tension in the stadium. OU didn’t have the best track record in these types of games in 2022.
Turns out to be one of the biggest drives in Gabriel’s OU career, though. It goes 75 yards in 10 plays and ends with the first touchdown of the season for Jalil Farooq.
“That was Jalil’s touchdown, right? Jalil’s a beast,” said Andrel Anthony, who also caught a touchdown. “That was crazy seeing that. I was on the other side blocking. I seen him throw one dude and then broke the other dude and I was like, ‘You’re him.’ That was nice.”
It was a heck of an effort after the catch by Farooq. That’s what OU is going to need for him the rest of the way.
Play No. 4: Bowen, um, still making plays
It’s all about complementary football in the final 12 minutes. Ensuing SMU drive, and the Mustangs have a fourth-and-five at their own 30 yard line.
With less than eight minutes left, though, SMU has to go for it. Bowen once again is making the big play. This pass breakup on the sideline really calmed everything down.
It was a nice little statement of the offense and defense feeding off each other, something multiple players mentioned didn’t always happen in 2022.
Play No. 5: Major puts game on ice
Let’s put this one away. The pass breakup gives OU a very short field, but it is third-and-seven from the SMU 27 yard line.
Gabriel finds Marcus Major for a short completion, but Major keeps going. Great blocking down field, especially by Drake Stoops, and Major goes 27 yards for the game-sealing score.
“I just say in those moments being able to rely on all the reps you’ve had, a year ago, there was a lot less than where we are now,” Gabriel said. “All the reps we’ve been able to get better at. But I’m just proud of the guys being able to execute, be clean in pressure situations and adversity and embrace it.”
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