The Football Brainiacs

Sooners defeated Army 28 -21 in overtime 

Throughout the week, the Oklahoma coaches tried to hammer into their player’s heads that Army was a different team. Despite not having a roster full of five-star recruits and running a throwback offense, they knew what type of fight the Black Knights would bring if they were allowed to hang around.

Even though the players said they headed every word, it wasn’t until they face Army on the field that reality set in and they found themselves in an all-out battle.

It took a takeaway in overtime before the fifth-ranked Sooners (4-0) were able to call it a night with a 28-21 victory over the Black Knights. At Memorial Stadium Saturday.

“This army team, them boys were tough. You can say what you want,” OU linebacker Curtis Bolton said. “It’s a little outdated, the triple option. But at the end of the day, them boys are out there trying to win a football game. They did a good job. They played a hell of a football game. I’m glad we came out with the W.”

Tackling machines

Bolton ended the night with a total of 23 tackles, which broke the school record. However, he still didn’t even lead the team. Middle linebacker Kenneth Murray smash the record with 28 tackles, which is the highest total in the FBS since 2000.

Murray said he knew coming into the night he had a chance to have a special game.

“That’s the first thing I thought as soon as I saw them on tape,” Murray said. “They obviously like the run the ball. Coach told me as soon as I got done with the Iowa State film, he said they had the ball for like 40 something minutes last week. I was like it’s going to be an opportunity for me to go out there and make plays. I just went out there to make tackles and stuff like that. I just honed in on what I needed to do, paid attention to my keys and made plays.”

The 52 combined tackles between Murray and Bolton are the most ever for an Oklahoma duo. The only other time two OU teammates posted at least 20 tackles in a game was in 1974 against Texas when Dewey Selmon and Rod Shoate combined for 43. Tackles.

“We knew it was going to be a slugfest, we knew we were going to come in here and it was going to be a boxing match,” Bolton said. “We knew they were going to come out and try and punch us in the mouth. I like to think of myself as a tough guy. K9 (Murray) is the same. We’re not going to come out there and let anybody roll over us.”

Clock control

Army held the ball for 44:41 against a tired Oklahoma defense. The Sooners offense was only on the field for 15:19. Their 40 plays were the third-fewest in recorded program history.

“We kind of knew what kind of game this was going to be going into this,” OU quarterback Kyler Murray said. “It’s really frustrating being an offense and having to watch the defense all night. It’s frustrating. You have to make the most of your possessions. I think we did that first half. They did a good job on offense. I don’t know how you prepare for something like that. It’s almost like it’s not really football. Fullback dive, option right, option left.  It’s tough when you’re sitting there and they are driving the whole length of the field. They take off 10 minutes. And you’re sitting over there waiting to get the ball back. I wasn’t tired at all,” Murray said. “What did we have the ball, like 16 minutes or something like that. It felt like four.”

Murray attempted only 15 passes and completed 11 of them. He threw for 165 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also carried the rock for 84 yards and another score.

Trey Sermon paced the Sooners with a season-high 119 yards rushing on `18 carries. It was his second career game with more than 100 yards rushing.

“The key is just trusting my coach and trust my reads,” Sermon said. “The offensive line was doing a great job getting some good push. Even the receivers blocking on the perimeter, it was really good.”

 

Stoops defends defense

Army rushed for 339 yards on 78 carries. They averaged 4.3 yards per carry on the night.

“It was a short game. It was really tough night just to get them in manageable situations for us,’ OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “We always knew the third and shorts were always gonna be tough. They are a great team. They run that thing extremely well. They got some movement inside on the dive and the belly play and they just kept hitting it.  It’s tough. I’m not gonna sit here and try to explain it. They are a terrific football team and fight extremely hard. I think that shows you why we’re in pretty good hands as the United States. They are courageous and not scared of anything. They played that way tonight.”

 

Crucial sequence

Army got the ball to start the third quarter trailing 21-14. Oklahoma’s defense came up with only its second true stop of the day and forced the Black Knights to punt.

This is what the Sooners needed. A chance to change the game flow and go up by two scores. However, Murray tried to hit Marquise Brown streaking down the right sideline in single coverage. His throw floated toward the inside and was picked off.

“Was trying to create separation as far as the score goes,” Murray said. “Same thing as last week. We had a chance to come out and kind of leave the opponent. Tonight we really didn’t.”

Army took over on their own 15-yard line. They proceeded to reel off a 19-play drive that lasted more than 10 minutes and ended with a touchdown run.

The game was tied at 21-21 and Oklahoma found itself in a game no one was expecting.

The Sooners responded on offense by giving the ball to Trey Sermon. He carried Oklahoma down deep into the Black Knights territory.

Oklahoma had the ball on the one-yard line on third down. Sermon tried to run behind 94 and was stuffed before reaching the end zone. On fourth and one, they tried Sermon again. Once again, he was stuffed just short of the goal line and Army took over possession with 12:23 left in the contest.

“It takes a lot of will, a lot of heart,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “A lot of toughness. And playing really well fundamentality. Pads down, hands where they are supposed to be, in the gap where you’re supposed to be. That’s what it takes. I’m proud of our guys for that goalline line stand.”

 

Mutual respect

After the game end and the Sooners were still celebrating, Kenneth Murray made sure found as many of the Army players as he could.

 “They were telling me good game,” Murray said. “It wasn’t about that. They make the ultimate sacrifice. They are the real warriors. They are out there fighting, sacrificing their lives to defend this country. I just had to personally shake every one of their hands, talk to them and show my appreciation.”