Week Ten Recap
OSU wins a squeaker, TU & OU win convincingly.
University of Oklahoma (Thursday)
Oklahoma 34 — Iowa State 24
Oklahoma won its sixth straight game, on a Thursday night, in Ames. The Sooners (7–2, 6–0) sit alone atop the Big 12 standings and firmly control their own destiny for another conference title.
Baker Mayfield continued his sublime play, tossing for four scores and 328 yards in the win. Absent both Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, the Sooners relied on fullback Dimitri Flowers to carry the load on the ground. Flowers finished with 115 yards on 22 carries.
For Oklahoma, it was important to avoid any potential upsets, as Iowa State (1–8, 0–6) has held leads over serval opponents this season. In the second quarter, the Cyclones took a 17–14 lead, giving hope the faithful, in Ames. Mayfield responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass to Dede Westbrook, one play later. The Sooners would never trail again, eventually building a 31–17 lead.
Game Ball
Dimitri Flowers entered the game with 14 career rushing yards. On 22 carries, on Thursday, Flowers added 115 yards to his career totals. Absent their two biggest backs, the Sooners needed someone to step up in the backfield, and Flowers responded with the fifth 100-yard rushing game, for the Sooners, this year.
University of Tulsa
Tulsa 45 — East Caroline 24
Tulsa jumped out to a 24–7 halftime lead and never looked back, winning their third consecutive game. The Golden Hurricane (7–2,4–1) are tied at the top of the AAC West Division standings with next week’s opponent: Navy.
East Carolina (3–6,1–4) had no answers for the Tulsa ground attack, giving up 342 yards on the ground. This was the sixth game in 2016 where the Hurricane rushed for over 300 yards. James Flanders eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark, on the season, finishing the game with 181 yards and two touchdowns. Junior runningback, D’Angelo Brewer, returning from injury; finished with 180 yards and a touchdown, as well.
Dane Evans continued his excellent play at QB, finishing with 274 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Josh Atkinson was his favorite target, finishing with 10 catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Game Ball
Head coach, Philip Montgomery has Tulsa bowl eligible for the second consecutive season. It is Montgomery’s second season at the helm of the Hurricane, and the team has already bettered last season’s 6–7 record. Montgomery has to be recognized for the job he has done in rebuilding the program. With three games left and an opportunity for a division title, the Hurricane have everything to play for ahead of them.
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State 43 — Kansas State 37
The series between the Cowboys and Wildcats has often produced nail-biters and this game was no different. Oklahoma State’s (7–2, 5–1) Jordan Sterns intercepted a pass, in the endzone, as time expired, securing the Cowboys’ fifth consecutive win.
The Wildcats methodically built a 13–0 lead in the first quarter, behind a powerful running attack. QB Jesse Ertz finished the day with 153 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, as the Wildcat team tallied 345 yards rushing. Oklahoma State’s quick-strike capabilities allowed them to claw back, taking a 21–16 lead at the half.
Late in the fourth, the Wildcats held a 37–28 lead, when Mason Rudolph found receiver, James Washington in single coverage for an 82 yard scoring strike. Washington finished with 117 yards on the day, and the touchdown pulled the Cowboys to within 37–35. Oklahoma State would take a 43–37 lead on their next possession, after a Chris Carson 17 yard touchdown run, with 1:46 remaining. Kansas State marched to the Oklahoma State three yard line, but were unable to put the ball in the endzone.
Game Ball
Mason Rudolph played the best road game of his career, passing for 457 yards and five touchdowns. He did throw two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), but that did not hinder his ability to engineer the eighth come from behind victory of his career.
