Stifling Defense Carries Sooners to Win Over Jayhawks

Oct. 20, 2012

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Box Score Get Acrobat Reader

(7)Oklahoma 52, Kansas 7
Memorial Stadium // Norman, Okla.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Kansas 0 0 0 7 7
(7)Oklahoma 10 28 14 0 52
Final Stats Get Acrobat Reader
Game Coverage
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Kansas Statistical Leaders
Rushing: J. Sims – 28-102, 1 TD
Passing: M. Cummings – 10-21-111, 2 INT
Receiving: Pick/Bourbon – 3 catches
Defense: B. McDougald – 8 tackles
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
OU 7:41 Hunnicutt 37 field goal
OU 3:49 Stills 44 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt kick)
Second Quarter
OU 12:29 Bell 1 run (Hunnicutt kick)
OU 10:04 Brown 90 punt return (Hunnicutt kick)
OU 5:12 Williams 5 run (Hunnicutt kick)
OU 1:12 Shepard 9 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt kick)
Third Quarter
OU 14:47 Finch 100 kickoff return (Hunnicutt kick)
OU 9:53 Millard 25 pass from Jones (Hunnicutt kick)
Fourth Quarter
KU 3:11 Sims 1 run (Prolago kick)
Stats at a Glance
KU OU
First Downs 20 18
Total Offensive Yards 309 397
Passing Yards 124 304
Rushing Yards 185 93
Penalties-Yards 4-36 3-15
Turnovers 3 0
Punts-Avg. (Net) 7-30.9 4-38.8
Punt Returns-Yards 1-12 5-108
Kick Returns-Yards 8-130 2-112
3rd-Down Conversions 12-24 5-10
4th-Down Conversions
Time of Possession 40:11 19:49

NORMAN, Okla. – No. 7 Oklahoma used big plays in all three phases of the game and saw its defense hold Kansas to a season-low 309 yards in a 52-7 win over the Jayhawks at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium Saturday night.

The Sooners’ offense scored five touchdowns – three passing and two rushing – and the special teams returned both a punt and a kick for a touchdown, but it was the OU defense that perhaps shone brightest. Oklahoma held Kansas (1-6, 0-4 Big 12) scoreless for more than three-and-a-half quarters and kept the Jayhawks out of OU territory for the majority of the game.

Kansas running back James Sims rushed for 100 yards for the third consecutive game, logged more than 150 yards of total offense and punched in the Jayhawks lone touchdown in the fourth quarter, while cornerback Greg Brownhad two pass break-ups in the end zone. However, the list of game highlights favored the home team.

The Sooners were held to a field goal on their opening drive of the game then added a touchdown late in the first quarter when Landry Jones hit Kenny Stills for a 44-yard strike.

Meanwhile, Kansas saw each of its first three drives stall just short of midfield but had an opportunity in the red zone after a muffed punt return by Justin Brown was recovered by Josh Ford at the Oklahoma 11. The good fortune was short lived however, as Dayne Cristwas hit hard by Tom Wort on a third down pass attempt and the fumble was scooped up, then returned 45 yards by Casey Walker.

The Sooners converted the turnover into points when Blake Bell used a one-yard run to cap the drive. The score opened a 28-point second quarter for Oklahoma including an atonement for his earlier muff, a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown by Brown.

Halftime offered a brief respite from the scoring, but Roy Finch set off the fireworks with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening boot of the second half. Finch and Brown became the first Sooner duo to combine for a punt and kick return touchdown in the same game in school history.

The Jayhawks finally broke the seal on midfield during a drive after a 51-yard catch and run by James Sims with a little more than three minutes left in the third quarter. Kansas moved into the red zone for the second time in the game, but for the second time left without points as Nick Prolagomissed a 30-yard field goal attempt.

The KU defense logged three consecutive stops late in the game and KU’s offense continued to attack. Sims scored from one yard out to end KU’s lone scoring drive with 3:11 to play in the fourth quarter. Sims rushed for 102 yards and Tony Pierson added 67 on the ground. Brandon Bourbon and Kale Picktied for the team lead with three receptions.

Kansas returns to its own Memorial Stadium next week when the Jayhawks take on Texas for Homecoming (Oct. 27). Next Saturday’s game is also Family Day and K-Club Weekend.

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