OU fans leave early as Texas A&M topples Sooners 41-13

BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Saturday, January 05, 2013
1/05/13 at 6:58 AM

ARLINGTON, Texas - Oklahoma got a large dose of Johnny Football on Friday night.

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, lived up to his nickname as the Aggies hammered the Sooners 41-13 at the Cotton Bowl.

Aggie pride reigned at Cowboys Stadium in the matchup between former Big 12 Conference foes. OU had won 11 of the past 13 meetings against its former league mates.

But Texas A&M never had Johnny Manziel.

The redshirt freshman ran around and passed over an Oklahoma defense that couldn't find an answer to stop him. By midway of the fourth quarter, Sooner fans were walking to the exits while Texas A&M's 12th man - its boisterous fan base - shouted their loyalty with chants of "S-E-C." The school joined the Southeastern Conference last summer.

The loss spoiled the mood of an OU fan base that was excited before the game's start.

Vida Berry, who is from Tahlequah, was among the first fans to stake out a position in the stadium's "Standing Room Only" area. Without a seat, she joined her friend Cheryl Spears in spending $50 each for the right to watch the game from the end zone.

"We were at the door when it opened and we jumped up here," said Berry, who vowed she wouldn't leave her spot after getting there two hours prior to kickoff.

The Welch family, who traveled to the game from Ponca City, were all wearing Oklahoma jerseys with No. 4 on them.

Before the contest, the four members went to a railing together and got a fist pump from Kenny Stills, their favorite OU player, who wears No. 4.

"We just like Kenny," said Jarrett Welch, who was joined by his wife, Kori, son Kyter, 11, and daughter Adi, 7. "We like the way he plays and his enthusiasm."

Said Kyter Welch: "When I grow up, I want to be just like him."

Oklahoma was the only state school to not win in its bowl game.

Oklahoma State defeated Purdue 58-14 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, and Tulsa beat Iowa State 31-17 in the Liberty Bowl.

The Sooners go into the offseason with their first bowl loss in four years.

Original Print Headline: OU prompts early exit

Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

University of Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones walks off the field upset during the Sooners' game against Texas A&M in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

University of Oklahoma fan Katie Zserdin reacts in the closing seconds of Sooners' game against Texas A&M in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World