Oklahoma 41, Kansas State 31: The good, the bad and the ugly

This was a big time road win for a team that seems to have found an identity on offense finally.

Congratulations to Bob Stoops for becoming the winningest coach in Oklahoma history. Two weeks ago, that win didn’t look so likely.

The great

Offensive identity

This marked the second game in a row that OU had an offensive identity and committed to a scheme. The offense put up 24 points, the best first-half offensive performance of the season.

The offensive line went from an overmatched liability a few games ago to a pounding difference maker in the running game. Perhaps it’s as simple as consistency in approach and game plan.

Brennan Clay

This was Clay’s best game as a Sooner. Aided by a road-grading OL, Clay took the football and took over the game (when Tyler Lockett was not doing his Tavon Austin impersonation) in the absence of Damien Williams.

Clay has been a great Sooner and senior leader. It was fitting that he got a signature game and is now closing in on a 1,000-yard rushing season.

The good

Trevor Knight's stock

Buy, buy, buy!

Knight played a very good game, save for an interception in the first quarter that actually seems to have been on Jalen Saunders. He showed excellent decision making in the zone read and made numerous plays with his feet. His passing game production
is trending in the right direction. It’s not a weapon yet, but it was an effective complement to the power running game. HIs game management was excellent and his poise looks to be on the upswing.

You could really see why the OU coaches named him the first game's starter.

Secondary amnesia

The OU secondary had an awful second quarter against Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson, giving up big passing plays for touchdowns and failing to make plays on the ball for INTs. Fortunately, the secondary did not let that awful performance carry over into the second half as burn victims Zack Sanchez and Quentin Hayes had key INTs to break open the game and seal the win.

Jalen Saunders' punt return

Saunders made a clutch play to run up and catch a terrible punt by Kansas State out of its own end zone. A massive wind burst slammed the punt in the air and brought it down
around the KSU 25-yard line. Instead of letting it hit the ground and roll, potentially costing OU field position, Saunders caught it in stride and bolted towards the end zone. After Saunders was brought down at the 3-yard line, OU got a touchdown seconds later and never looked back.

Jed Barnett's punting

Not to be outdone in special teams, Jed Barnett’s punt that put KSU on its own 3-yard line led to the sequence of events that enabled OU to put the game away.

Mike Stoops' aggressive second-half play calling

Sick of watching big passing plays, Mike got very aggressive in sending personnel after KSU QB Jake Waters, especially on 3rd down. Waters started to sail his throws. KSU only managed about 100 yards of offense in the second half.

The bad

Kickoffs

Kickoffs and coverage were not great. Tyler Lockett gave KSU great field position several times.

The broadcast production

I hated the camera angle that Fox Sports 1 used on the kickoffs.

The ugly

That second quarter

I’m not sure what the fuck the Sooner secondary was doing in the second quarter in their coverage schemes, but It was awful football. The defensive backs almost negated a great first-half performance Knight, Clay and the rest of the offense. Fortunately, Aaron Colvin was able to play some and settle things down in the second half while the D's blitzes forced the Wildcats into incompletions.

-Atlantasooner