Oklahoma came out and took care of business against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Saturday. The Sooners rushing attack dominated from beginning to end with five touchdowns in the 48-16 victory.
The starting defense was also strong throughout their time in the game despite losing linebacker Jordan Evans to a targeting penalty.
The Sooners started things off with an eight play, 70 yard drive capped off by a 22 yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Keith Ford. The drive was kept alive by a fourth down conversion.
One possession later, the Sooners struck again. After a couple of completions and an Alex Ross run, quarterback Trevor Knight found Sterling Shepherd in with the fade pass from 16 yards out to give OU a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs managed to make it into field goal range before Zach Sanchez blocked the field goal attempt, which Eric Striker returned 20 yards to the Louisiana Tech 42 yard line. Oklahoma would make short work of the good field position with a seven play drive finished by Ford’s second touchdown of the game.
Louisiana Tech managed to get their first stop of the game in the second quarter after a Trevor knight fumble, but they were unable to capitalize and went three and out.
The Sooners would find the end zone once again on one their longest drives of the game. True freshman Samaje Perine was the feature back on this drive rushing for 34 yards on 4 carries. Alex Ross got on the board with the one yard touchdown run giving Oklahoma the 31-0.
The Bulldogs would add a field goal to avoid the shutout and making it 31-3 at halftime.
With the game already in command, a lot of backups saw action in the second half. The opening drive saw Trevor Knight take more chances throwing the ball down the field. Knight had a 28 yard completion to Ford and a 30 yard completion to Durron Neal. Alex Ross scored from eight yards out continuing the dominance. Heading into the fourth quarter, Oklahoma held a 41-3 lead 41-3.
Louisiana Tech finally started to get things moving late in the third quarter. Cody Sokol found running back Kenneth Dixon for the first touchdown of the night.
Oklahoma’s touchdown in the fourth was once again set up by special teams. Ross returned a punt 80 yards to the Bulldog 14. Perine would take things into his own hands with two seven yards runs and the touchdown.
Tech would score once again after a Trevor Knight Interception. The Bulldogs had a 13 play drive that covered 66 yards and took nearly seven minutes to get the final score of the game. Trent Taylor caught the final 22 yard touchdown reception making the score 48-16.
Oklahoma rushed for 183 yards on the night. The running backs showed that they can either run over somebody in the trenched or catch the ball as well. Perine led the way with 77 yards on 13 carries, Ford added 51 yards, and Alex Ross chipped in with 36. Ford also led the team in receiving with four receptions for 65 yards.
Knight went 19 of 34 on the evening throwing for 253 yards with one touchdown and one interception and a fumble. Outside of Ford, Shepherd also had four receptions for 49 yards and the lone receiving touchdown.
Louisiana Tech on offense was pretty much what everyone was expecting. Most of their yards came in the second half against the backups. The Bulldogs did not even reach 100 yards until the third quarter. They were outmanned going against the defensive front of the Sooners.
Sokol finished with 191 yards on 22 of 36 passing. Running the ball was a struggle throughout the game. Dixon had 42 yards rushing on 16 carries. Sterling Griffin had a good game for the Bulldogs. Griffin caught seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
The Sooners will now travel just up the turnpike to take on fellow in-state foe Tulsa. Tech will also be on the road against a state opponent. They take on the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette.