OU's nemesis vs. K-State? Turnovers early, third down late.
Published: 9/24/2012 8:30 AM
Last Modified: 9/24/2012 12:47 AM
Oklahoma’s turnovers killed its chances for a victory on Saturday night as three costly turnovers resulted in 17 points in a 24-19 loss to Kansas State.
OU’s defense also couldn’t get off the field in the crucial fourth quarter, as Kansas State owned clock (10:25 to 4:35), and moved the chains on all three of its third-down situations.
First, the turnover situation: The Sooners’ quarterbacks were responsible for all three giveaways. Landry Jones had a fumble in his own end zone and also threw an interception that allowed Kansas State to drive a short field of 38 yards. Blake Bell had a fumble on the K-State 1 after misplaying a snap on a keeper.
“You give up three turnovers and don’t get one, you’re going to lose against a good team every time and that’s how it went,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.
For the season, OU has five turnovers this season, but it isn’t just the offensive miscues that are glaring this season. Oklahoma hasn’t been able to produce takeaways this season.
The Sooners are tied for last nationally with Buffalo, Southern Miss and Wisconsin in forcing only one turnover this year. Javon Harris’ interception against Florida A&M is the only time that the defense has stopped an opponent’s drive via turnover.
It’s an unsettling statistic.
Before the season started, we revisited how Oklahoma created turnovers last year. In 2011, the Sooners had 27 takeaways, its lowest number since 2005. The team only had 15 interceptions, the lowest total in the past six seasons.
Next, the third-down conversions allowed against Kansas State.
OU has been good at that area this weekend and, even now, ranked 16th nationally at 28.7 percent in third-down efficiency defense. But Oklahoma allowed the Wildcats to clear a third-and-12, third-and-11 and game-clinching third-and-three in the fourth quarter.
“We didn’t pressure the quarterback very well and we didn’t get turnovers, and that is a tough remedy against Kansas State,” OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said. “We kind of broke down a little bit in the fourth quarter. We kind of fought ourselves through the game. I thought our guys competed well. We just got out-executed in the fourth quarter and that was really the game.”
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
