Oklahoma/Iowa State: Report card

BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Sunday, November 04, 2012
11/04/12 at 4:49 AM

Offense

A-: There were a few trip-ups. The Belldozer blew a tire or two, prompting Bob Stoops to scrap the formation in the second half. Landry Jones threw a pair of interceptions. The Sooners had a ton of yards late in the first half, but just seven points to show for it.

By game's end, however, the numbers jumped off the page - 593 yards on 85 plays, a season-high 34 first downs and a season-high 405 yards from Jones. Brennan Clay balanced the offense with a career-high 157 yards rushing. Justin Brown gave OU a second 100-yard man with career highs of 107 yards on seven catches.

Defense

B: The Sooners controlled Iowa State's running game. They sacked Steele Jantz three times and intercepted him once. They held the Cyclones to field goals after both of Jones' interceptions, once after ISU set up at the OU 15-yard line, then again after the Cyclones began at the OU 46.

What hurt the Sooners most often was, well, the Sooners. Tony Jefferson, Javon Harris and Aaron Colvin all missed tackles during runs of 25, 19 and 28 yards. Colvin, Gabe Lynn, Demontre Hurst and Corey Nelson all committed personal foul or pass interference penalties.

Special teams

B+: Tress Way knuckle balled a punt that was downed at the Iowa State 1-yard line. The Sooners didn't give ISU much of anything on returns. Clay averaged 27 yards on his two kickoff runbacks. Michael Hunnicutt never got to try a field goal, but he did reach the end zone on a couple kickoffs.

The Sooner who struggled was Patrick O'Hara. The kickoff specialist looked like he was still feeling the groin injury that has sidelined him. He kicked both short and out of bounds before Stoops subbed in Way, then Hunnicutt.

Associated Images:

OU quarterback Landry Jones tries to escape the pressure of Iowa State's Willie Scott. Jones passed for a season-high 405 yards. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

OU's Sterling Shepard scores a touchdown against the defense of Iowa State's Deon Broomfield. Shepard had five receptions for 77 yards. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World