Bob Stoops won’t be adding to his playoff resume this season, but yet another notch to his conference pedigree will be added.
Through the first two quarters of rain-drenched play, No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 9 Oklahoma State slogged their way to a dead-even tie in the 111th Bedlam matchup. The second half was another matter entirely, however, as the Sooners literally ran past the Cowboy en route to a 38-20 Bedlam win in Norman.
In the first half, OU was held to just 40 yards on 19 carries. They had 76 yards on the ground on their first drive of the second half as the Sooners pounded out a whopping 301 yards rushing the last two quarters, no doubt in part compensating for the loss of All-American wide receiver Dede Westbrook to a head injury in the first half.
Samaje Perine led all rushers with 239 yards on 37 carries. It was a backfield stablemate, however, that delivered the backbreaker.
Trailing 31-20 early in the fourth quarter, OSU drove down inside the OU 25-yard line and had the opportunity to make it a one-score game with a field goal. Senior Ben Grogan, though, missed from 38 yards out; on the very next play from scrimmage, Joe Mixon ripped of a 79-yard touchdown run that essentially sealed the win.
It was the longest run of his career for Mixon, who finished with 99 yards on the ground.Joe Mixon dodges the entire Oklahoma State defense on his way to a 79-yard TD. #Sooners lead 38-20. #BeatOSU https://t.co/JBzBJsd6WS
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 3, 2016
Baker Mayfield did work through the air, too, as the quarterback passed for 288 yards and three touchdowns.
With the win, OU staked is claim to an undisputed Big 12 title and finished unbeaten in conference play for the first time since 2004. This is Stoops’ 10th career conference championship since coming to the Sooners in 1999; no other program has more than two titles since Stoops set up shop in Norman.
Stoops moved to within four of tying Bud Wilkinson‘s career record of 14 Big 8 championships. He needs three more to tie Nebraska’s Tom Osborne‘s 13 Big 8/12 titles, and two more to tie the dozen of another Sooner coaching legend, Barry Switzer.
The win also means that Oklahoma will play in the Sugar Bowl Jan. 2. OU will, more than likely, face Florida in the game. OSU, meanwhile, will probably meet Colorado at the Alamo Bowl.
