There may be many ways to unfold in Bedlam’s rivalry games, but no matter how it happens, it usually ends in Oklahoma’s victory. It was held again on Saturday night. Oklahoma used its fourth quarter of 14 points to win 41-13 over No. 14 Oklahoma State for its sixth victory in the Bedlam series.
The Suners have now won five games in a row since starting 1-2 and in their view the Big 12 is a championship game. Two more games against West Virginia and Baylor are all teams that set this team apart from their second trip to Arlington, Texas.
From the start of Bedlam, it seemed as if Oklahoma was about to run with the game. The Suners made touchdowns on their first three assets to go 21-0 up, one of which was thanks to athlete David Ugwogbu interception through a short field. However, Oklahoma State’s top 15 defenses appeared after the early burnout. For more than two quarters, the Cowboys held the Sunners to just six points.
But then, the constant amount of running back paid a dividend to Raymond Stevenson for the OU. Stevenson, who was bottled up most of the night, started making big runs and finished with 141 yards with 26 carry. It also allowed Oklahoma to be more creative and aggressive with its play calls. The first touchdown in the fourth quarter came on a fake reverse that hit H-back Jeremyn Hall Hall outside the backfield for a 30-yard score. The second game kept the game going for good for 31 yards from the fourth down spunner Ratler to Theo Weiss.
Oklahoma State crime never went away. Quarterback Spencer Sanders was knocked out in the first quarter with a head injury. That means freshman Shane Illingringh was put on duty, but he completed 5 of 21 yards passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. Although the Pox coaching staff was initially cautious about putting Sanders back in the game, he turned around in the fourth quarter. By then, it was too late.
Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy lost 2-14 all-time to Oklahoma. Here’s a take on tonight’s game:
1. Stevenson was an MVP
The Suners ’ground game was already improving when Stevenson returned from his NCAA suspension against Texas Tech late last month, but he started it at another level. Stevenson was bottled up as a runner early on Saturday, but relay credit for refusing to give up a run. He helped Oklahoma get a big lead, but eventually a 2-yard Stevenson run became a 9-yard run, and it became a spoiled yard.
Oklahoma’s offense also opened up in more aggressive situations than the run game. Stevenson started the first touchdown of the second quarter straight before giving the ball to Rattler, who made a reverse and hit Jeremiah Hall for a touchdown. Second, the touchdown from Rattler to Theo Weiss was at fourth-and-4 while Stevenon was most likely to run. Without speeding up the ground game, Oklahoma isn’t going to pull like that.
2. Ealingingth was not ready to return
I’m not saying Ealingth is a bad player, although he had a bad night. But that’s largely due to Oklahoma’s defense. The Suners had a chaotic night with four sacks, seven TFLs, four QB hurries and at least two or three batted passes of the Scrimmage line. Oklahoma State’s crime vulnerability is outrageous. It wasn’t great tonight, and Ealingington isn’t the type of quarterback who could lengthen plays with his feet. Sanders could, but with caution, Oklahoma State chose not to play him for most of the game. I wouldn’t criticize that move – player safety is important – although I wonder what the difference was in Sanders ’health between the second and fourth quarters. In any case, Sanders is better equipped to select the required yards with his hands and feet. Ealingingh doesn’t just give Oklahoma State that option and it’s hard when you’re trying to play later.
3. Play to win and not lose
There were two moments in the fourth quarter that proved to be crucial coaching moves. Gundy’s decision was to have about 12 minutes left on the first und clahoma — the fourth on-line on the fourth-about-on. Pox was down 21 points, and while Punt was working – the game was helping the Oklahoma State Suns pin them to their 1-yard line with a penalty delay – it was still an overcrowded call. Time is running out and Oklahoma State had just 13 points on the board. They needed to make the ground. Keep in mind: Sanders was back in the game at the time, so it was clear Oklahoma State was doing what he needed to do to win. Punting did nothing, as Oklahoma went 99 yards and put the game away for good. In fact, it was Riley who chose to end the game at 4th and 4th. That was the big difference in coaching.
CBS Sports was totally up to you to update this story with the latest in the game, which you can read below.
