All Sooners

Oklahoma-Iowa State Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman, Randall Sweet and Tim Willert offer their real-time observations from Norman as No. 14 Oklahoma hosts Iowa State in Big 12 action.
SI Editorial|
Oklahoma-Iowa State Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog
Oklahoma-Iowa State Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

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Oklahoma Sooners

NORMAN — AllSooners offers real-time observations throughout today's Week 5 matchup against Iowa State. Newest posts are at the top. Just keep your browser open and refresh often. 

9:33 p.m. 

Cyclones call their third and final timeout with 41 seconds left. It is received by a chorus of boos from those left in the stands. Iowa State is trying its hardest to get into the endzone. To no avail. Clock runs out. OU wins 50-20 to improve to 5-0 overall, 2-0 in Big 12 Conference play.

9:31 p.m.

Iowa State calling its second timeout with with 1:45 left in the game and OU leading 50-20. Go figure.

-- TW

9:22 p.m.

Tawee Walker breaks free for 60 yards, but the run is nullified on a holding call by wide receiver J.J. Hester.

-- TW

9:20 p.m.

Jackson Arnold enters the game at quarterback with the Sooners up 57-20 with roughly six minutes left in the game.

-- TW

8:34 p.m.

Ryan asked me when it happened if OU keeps records on one player blocking a punt. (Peyton Bowen now has two.) Turns out they do. From Mike Houck's halftime notes package:

• Freshman DB Peyton Bowen recorded his second blocked punt of the season, a play that resulted in a safety. He is the first Sooner with multiple blocked punts in a season since 2004. Brandon Shelby, who holds the OU career record with four blocked punts, had two blocks as a sophomore in 2002 and two blocks as a senior in 2004.

— JH

8:26 p.m.

Jayden Gibson just caught a pass in traffic, knocked down two Iowa State defenders, cut in away from the pack and then bulled his way into the end zone on a 41-yard touchdown.

I think it’s safe to say the Sooners have some beasts at wide receiver.

— JH

8:16 p.m.

Oklahoma's eight interceptions through four games coming into today ranked second in the nation (behind Liberty, who had 10). The Sooners now have 10 INTs.

This defensive backfield feels all grown up.

Fact is, Iowa State's two long passes came as a result of defensive backs thinking they had another pick — playing the ball, rather than playing the man.

You live by the pick, you die by the pick.

Stefen Djordjevic eventually figured that out in "All the Right Moves."

— JH

8:02 p.m.

Oklahoma scored 40 first half points against Iowa State.

The last time the Sooners scored 40 against the Cyclones in an entire game? Jalen Hurts endured a 42-41 shootout in Norman. Before that, you have to go back to 2015 when the Sooners beat Iowa State 52-16.

OU was helped a bit by defense and special teams, which chipped in nine points on the pick six and punt block that turned into a safety.

— RC 

8:00 p.m.

Two hours in, and it's halftime.

— JH

7:59 p.m.

Halftime. It's ... an odd game.

— JH

7:45 p.m.

Great job by Danny Stutsman fighting through a block to create pressure on Rocco Becht, who threw into traffic and was intercepted by Gentry Williams.

OU threatening again.

— JH

7:40 p.m.

I just gave Ryan a five dollar bill because I said I would if Zach Schmit made a 46-yard field goal. He made it, and I paid it. Cuz that’s how I roll.

And the Sooners turn that safety into a 33-20 lead with 3:32 to halftime.

— JH

7:30 p.m.

Oklahoma's special teams rise up. Peyton Bowen blocks his second punt of the season, but Trace Ford can't fall on it as the ball slings out of the back of the end zone for a safety. It's 30-20 with 6:06 to halftime, and the Sooners have the football back.

— JH

7:26 p.m.

Question for the class — Is the Jackson Arnold short yardage package dead?

Dillon Gabriel has not only carried the rock for two scores, but he’s finished off those runs with authority… and the defense doesn’t know exactly what’s coming.

Food for thought. Maybe I’m just hungry.

— RC 

7:23 p.m.

Dillon Gabriel isn’t playing around. He just dove into the end zone for another short rushing TD, then bounced off the grass and went straight to an Iowa State defender for — um, perhaps some colorful invectives that included Gabriel’s shoulder in the guy’s chest.

He’s living on the edge tonight.

DG has 10 completions for 228 yards, and he's already got three different receivers over 50 yards.

— JH

7:20 p.m.

Jalil Farooq took that intentional pass interference and still made a contested catch — and nearly scored. What a catch.

— JH

7:18 p.m.

Oklahoma gave up plays of 17, 11, 10 and 13 yards that drive. This isn’t the Oklahoma defense we saw in the first four games.

A friend just texted me: “Quinn Ewers is licking his chops.”

Can’t disagree.

— JH

7:05 p.m.

A couple of significant developments for the Sooners on this drive:

Jacob Sexton is playing left tackle, and Brenen Thompson caught a 54-yard deep ball from Gabriel. Thompson was well behind his two defenders, but had to come back for it. Gabriel’s not gonna overthrow him. That’s guaranteed.

Also, Zach Schmit finishes the drive by missing a 34-yard field goal. His first miss of the season. He missed six big ones last year.

— JH

7:02 p.m.

And Texas transfer Brennan Thompson gets his first snaps at wide receiver this year for the Sooners.

— RC 

7:00 p.m.

Another disastrous play for Oklahoma’s defense.

Gentry Williams and Billy Bowman run into each other trying to make a play on Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins.

With nothing but green grass in front of him, Higgins takes it 67 yards for the score.

Iowa State cuts OU’s lead to 21-17 with 14:55 remaining in the second quarter.

— RC 

6:57 p.m.

First quarter stats:

— JH

6:57 p.m.

First quarter is history. The next three are a mystery.

— JH

6:51 p.m.

Not sure what Iowa State’s defense was doing there. Outside corner had Nic Anderson covered, but then turned him loose. Dillon Gabriel did a great job recognizing it quickly, then fired a perfect pass to the deep post, where Anderson was all alone. OU extends the lead to 21-10, 26 seconds left in the quarter.

And Anderson now has five touchdowns on his last six catches.

— JH

6:47 p.m.

Oklahoma hadn’t allowed a first-quarter touchdown in its first four games. Iowa State has a touchdown and a field goal. The Sooners need to get some things figured out defensively. Bad angles, bad eyes, bad technique. Oh, and a pick-six.

— JH

6:47 p.m.

Part of OU’s big defensive leap this season has been the Sooners’ ability to limit big plays.

Iowa State broke off 90 of its 159 first quarter yards on two plays.

First one resulted in a touchdown (51-yard connection), the second was a 39-yard run to set the Cyclones up on that last field goal drive.

Adjustment time for Brent Venables and crew on the sideline — something the defense has also been good at after the first few series this year.

— RC 

6:34 p.m.

For the second week in a row, Dillon Gabriel runs over a guy at the goal line for a Sooner touchdown. Forget Jackson Arnold. Forget the Belldozer. Wanna call this the Dillonator?

— JH

6:28 p.m.

While we sit through this review… Gavin Sawchuk was the second running back on the field there. Was told all four backs were healthy and saw some time with the first team in practice this week. Your guess is as good as mine with how this rotation will play out throughout the entirety of this one, though.

— RC 

6:24 p.m.
 Marcus Major gets the start at running back and carries 18 yards on his first attempt — right up the backside of left guard Troy Everett, who’s once again replacing Savion Byrd in the starting lineup.

— JH

6:25 p.m.

Oklahoma’s offensive starters:

Rouse - Everett - Raym - Mettauer - Guyton

Anthony - Stogner - Stoops - Farooq

Gabriel - Major

— RC 

6:22 p.m.

Iowa State ties it on a 51-yard pass from Rocco Becht to Jaylin Noel. Major bust across the middle. Looked like Key Lawrence was going straight for the interception, but he decided to ignore the receiver about to catch the football in stride. Billy Bowman gave chase, but no chance.

It’s 7-7, 10:50 left in the first.

— JH

6:13 p.m. 

And right on cue, Billy Bowman follows Stoops’ commands and gets it started in here with a 44-yard pick six. Team’s ninth INT of the season, one of the national leaders.

Sooners off to a fast start, lead 7-0, 14:03 to play in the opening quarter.

— JH

6:13 p.m.

Oklahoma’s defensive starters:

Bothroyd - Lacey - Coe - Downs

McCullough - Stutsman - Kanak

Williams - Lawrence - Bowman - Washington

— RC 

6:11 p.m.

Pregame appearance by the one and only Bob Stoops, who walks in with Toby Keith and takes the microphone.

"Hey everybody! Let’s hear it for Big T, Toby Keith, the No. 1 Sooner fan! The Road to the Big 12 Championship always runs through Norman, Oklahoma,, so let’s go, let’s get it started!"

Cue Black Eyed Peas.

True story.

— JH

6:09 p.m.

Oklahoma wins the toss. Sooners defer, and Iowa State will get the ball first.

— RC 

5:52 p.m.

Crazy things happening in Orlando. Baylor, once down 35-7, just kicked a field goal to take a 36-35 lead with 1:14 to play.

— JH

5:50 p.m.

It’s official in Austin. Longhorns handle short-handed Kansas 40-14. Sooners need to do the same in about 19 minutes so America can enjoy a top-10 matchup next Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.

— JH

5:53 p.m.

Lest I forget, LG Savion Byrd is suited up today as well. He banged his head against Tulsa and didn't travel last week to Cincinnati.

— JH

5:41 p.m.

For the second straight week, Oklahoma running back Marcus Major took the first team “snaps” to close out pregame warmups.

— RC

5:28 p.m.

Safety Reggie Pearson is suited up and going through pregame warmups.

— JH

5:26 p.m.

Brent Venables is at midfield with the referee and umpire going over the ground rules, apparently. Ref is Stephen Baron, Umpire is Sheldon Davis, Head Line judge is Catherine Conti, Line Judge is Scott Gaines, Side Judge is Rick Ockey, Back Judge is Donnie Aultman, Center Judge is Marvel July and the replay official is Brad Van Park.

5:24 p.m.

R Mason Thomas is suited up for the Sooners and is going through pregame warmups.

— JH

5:20 p.m.

Miguel Chavis just sprinted onto the field, and he is most definitely wearing sunglasses.

— JH

5:18 p.m.

Ted Roof just stepped onto the field. He's not wearing sunglasses.

Yet.

— JH 

5:17 p.m.

Freshman center Joshua Bates is wearing a protective boot on his right foot and is dressed in street clothes for pregame warmups.

— JH

5:13 p.m.

Freshman tight end Kade McIntyre has joined the pregame walking wounded. He's standing by Kaden Helms in street clothes as the team begins warmups.

— JH 

5:07 p.m.

Big recruiting weekend here at Owen Field for the Sooners. Dozens of high-profile recruits and their families are in the end zone, and the SoonerVision team just rolled out a video proclaiming "Oklahoma: the gold standard. This is Oklahoma: 24k."

For the uninitiated, 24k is the slogan OU has adopted for this year's recruiting class.

The scoreboard immediately flipped to the usual Sooners in the NFL montage. 

That's how you do it.

— JH

4:57 p.m.

Jaren Kanak is suited up for today's game. That's kind of amazing and very important after his unusual health scare last week at Cincinnati.

— JH

4:38 p.m.

Not too many players on the field yet but we have our first injury update. 

Oklahoma cornerback Kani Walker was in street clothes while the OU defensive backs were going through their initial warmups.

— RC

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