MANHATTAN, Kan. — When the Sooners took a 28-7 lead in the first quarter Saturday, it looked like they were on the verge of an early blowout.
But Kansas State stormed back to tie the game at 28, reeling off 21 straight points and stealing all the momentum.
The Sooners responded with 27 straight points of their own en route to an OU record for points in a first half with 55 on their way to a 58-35 victory.
“It was tied and our guys knew it was tied and came up with big turnovers and our offense clicked,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “The end of the half we really had a flurry that set us apart.”
The Sooners have been dominant at the beginning of games all season, and Saturday marked the first time this year they allowed the opponent to overcome a large first-quarter deficit.
After giving up three drives that ended in touchdown passes by Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman, OU answered by forcing three turnovers on the Wildcats’ final four possessions of the first half.
Those turnovers resulted in the Sooners scoring four touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the first half.
“It felt good to come back,” sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford said. “We always talk about how we have to respond and come back. The turnovers really helped us get that.”
The Sooners then got their first special teams touchdown of the year when redshirt freshman Ryan Broyles returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown and ended the first half with a 55-28 OU lead.
The previous record for most OU points in a first half was set in 1978 when the Sooners ran up 52 against Rice.
The Sooners have only put up 55 points in a half one other time: in the second half against Kansas State in 1942.
“It was a really good win; it’s a difficult place to play,” said head coach Bob Stoops. “The first half offensively we really well-executed the run and the pass. Defensively we gave up some big plays.”
Throughout the first half, the OU offense moved the ball virtually at will.
“I was kind of surprised,” Bradford said. “We kind of felt like we moved the ball well and confused them a little bit. That’s part of what the no-huddle does, it allows us to move the ball around.”
The offense had its most balanced showing in weeks, finishing with 255 passing yards and 273 rushing yards.
Running backs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown each had over 100 yards rushing, marking the second time this season both players have accomplished that feat in the same game.
Murray was particularly strong in the first half, recording 129 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns before halftime.
He finished the day with 104 yards on the ground and 63 receiving yards, along with those four touchdowns.
“You put up that many points, and as a coach you expect perfection, I have a hard time being negative when you score that many points,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “We did a lot of good things but we still think we can play better and do better.”
Bradford threw three touchdown passes, all in the first half. His 255 yards mark the first time since the season opener he has not thrown for more than 300 yards.
Bradford struggled in the second half, completing only one pass. He completed 40 percent of his passes for the game, which is the lowest of his career and allowed Texas quarterback Colt McCoy to pass him and become No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency.
Despite giving up a career-high 478 passing yards to Freeman, the OU defense also forced a season-high five turnovers. Freeman entered the game having thrown two interceptions in his first seven games, but the Sooners intercepted him three times.
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dbh 3 years, 7 months ago
BOOMER SOONER!!! Nice game once again for OU and what a history making first half. Now OU must prepare for Nebraska at home this Saturday in Norman.