... OKLAHOMA OBLITERATES MICHIGAN, SHUTOUT STREAK SNAPPED
The Oklahoma Sooners, 23-9 losers in Week 1 to the now top-ranked Syracuse Orangemen, are showing they are a force to be reckoned with in the ECFA's Western Conference. Oklahoma demolished its second straight conference opponent today, routing the Michigan Wolverines, 31-7. The win comes on the heels of a Week 2 shutout of Ohio State, 26-0.
It appeared that the Sooners would record back-to-back shutouts until Forcier hit Cox for a 24-yard touchdown pass with just 9 seconds left in the game.
But the story of the day may have been OU's offensive line. The Sooners ran for 187 yards on 31 carries, powering both up the middle, and to each side off tackle. Murray led the charge with an ECFA season-high 147 yards, adding a touchdown on 20 carries. He had five runs of at least 13 yards, including a 48-yard dash. His TD covered 22. Stills was the receiver who made the big play in the passing game, catching an 80-yard strike from Jones that made it 28-0 in the third quarter. Jones was a solid 11-of-15 for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns.
While Cox (12 carries, 2 yards) couldn't run the ball against the Sooners defense, he did catch 7 passes for 94 yards and the only score. But Michigan's big contributions, despite the lopsided final result, actually came from its defensive tackles. Martin on the right, and All-American candidate Campbell on the left, each made 9 tackles. Martin forced a fumble and Campbell had Michigan's lone sack of Jones. Campbell already has 21 tackles this season in just 3 games.
Oklahoma (2-1, 2-0 Western Conference) has 2 weeks now to celebrate its win, as they are idle in Week 4. Michigan (0-3, 0-2 West) now must win out for bowl consideration, and will try to start that run in Week 4 against the BYU Cougars (1-0-1, 0-0-1 West). BYU still has its Week 3 game against Ohio State to come.
Ed
