The Oklahoma Sooners faced a very different Houston Cougars team than the one that lost to UNLV last week.
Houston had a much better game plan than last week to support quarterback Donovan Smith. The Sooners suffered from miscommunication and inefficiency in the passing game, the lack of a consistent running game and an uncharacteristic lack of discipline. But they had enough breaks and the defense was able to stop enough attacks to come away with a 16-12 victory over Houston.
The Oklahoma Sooners took advantage of a deflection from the Houston Cougars returner and gained excellent field position after a difficult first possession. On the very next play, Jackson Arnold found Brenen Thompson and gave Oklahoma a 7-0 lead.
Houston then began a 12-play drive that lasted 8:25, but had to settle for a field goal on its second drive of the game.
On Oklahoma’s first drive of the second quarter, Jackson Arnold led the offense on an eight-play, 81-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to tight end Jake Roberts.
And that’s where the highlights ended for an offense that struggled to move the ball with much consistency in the second half. The Sooners had just 110 total yards and averaged just 2.1 yards per carry after halftime.
On the first drive of the second half, a communication breakdown in the defense led to Houston’s only touchdown and cut the lead to 14-12. But the Sooners defense was able to stop the two-point conversion.
Oklahoma had a chance to win the game with a long drive, but after reaching the halfway line, Houston’s defense was able to slow Oklahoma down on the first and second attempts, and then Jackson Arnold was sacked on the third attempt.
Luke Elzinga pressured Houston with a great punt at the five-yard line, and on Houston’s first play, defensive tackle Gracen Halton made the play of the game when he pressured Stacy Sneed at the goal line and got the safety for the Sooners.
Oklahoma felt like it was running out of time, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Joshua Bates gave Houston a little more time for a last-ditch attack. Houston made a few plays, but the Sooners defense managed one last stop on the play to secure the win and make it 2-0.
The Sooners offense struggled throughout, only managing to gain 249 total yards, including zero points in the second half.
Jackson Arnold finished the night completing 19 of 32 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also carried the ball 11 times for 28 yards.
Deion Burks had nine catches for 53 yards and one touchdown.
But this game was all about defense. Although Houston was able to move the ball at times, Oklahoma’s defense held the Cougars to just 12 points and just five yards per play. OU held Houston to just 4 of 15 third down attempts and 1.7 yards per carry.
Danny Stutsman was an absolute monster on defense, recording 15 total tackles, including 12 solo tackles and one for a loss. Robert Spears-Jennings tallied five total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and an interception in the second half that gave Oklahoma great field position. Samuel Omosigho earned a little more playing time, recording five total tackles and two tackles for a loss.
Halton’s safety was the second tackle for loss he recorded in the game. Damonic Williams recorded two tackles and a sack.
The Oklahoma Sooners now hope to regroup and prepare for a Tulane team that brought Kansas State to the brink of an upset on Saturday.
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