The Good: Defense Answers the Call
In each of the last two weeks, the Oklahoma Sooners offense has struggled at times. Last week against Baylor, they couldn’t get anything of substance going. This week the offense provided some help on the ground via the run, but the passing game continued to struggle.
Like last week, the defense held the opposition in check for much of the game. Unlike last week, they didn’t let the game get out of hand in the fourth quarter.
Though Iowa State was able to score 14 points in the fourth, the defense continued to battle and came up with just enough plays to hold on for the win.
The pass rush was relentless throughout and the defense was opportunistic, forcing three turnovers and creating twice that in turnover opportunities with six forced fumbles. As impressive as the turnovers was Oklahoma’s ability to bring the ball carrier down on first contact. They missed just six tackles. That’s only the second time all season where the Sooners have missed fewer than 10 tackles in a game.
Oklahoma rushers collected a total of 34 pressures per Pro Football Focus and seven sacks. They were after Brock Purdy all game, and while he had a decent day throwing the football, was never able to attack the Sooners down the field.
The Sooners bottled up Breece Hall, which was huge considering the day the Baylor Bears had against them the week before. Hall averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and 1.56 yards after contact per attempt. He had only one run of more than 10 yards and forced only one missed tackle. I can’t understate how important that was to the outcome of the game.
Oklahoma’s defense was on the field for 89 plays, not counting penalties. And they continued to show up in the fourth quarter and make plays. If there was any area where the Sooners showed some holes it was in the secondary, which is understandable. Pat Fields, Delarrin Turner-Yell, Woodi Washington, and Justin Broiles each played all 89 snaps. That’s incredible conditioning and also provides some context as to how Iowa State was able to score 14 in the fourth and nearly come back to tie late in the game.