Thompson leads Sooners in 99-yard drive that results in a Kelly touchdown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For a brief moment midway through Saturday's third quarter, Oklahoma's offense could barely get out of its end zone. In another instant, however, the Sooners had driven 99 yards downfield, from their own half-yard-line into Nebraska's end zone to salt away a Big 12 championship victory over the Huskers.
"Big 12 champions!" Thompson yelled hoarsely into an ESPN microphone seconds after OU's 21-7 triumph.
That was due in large part to Thompson's 6-of-8 showing during that 99-yard drive, 92 of which came off his right arm, the last 3 going to Malcolm Kelly for the touchdown.
Thompson took over on his own 1 after Dan Titchener's downed punt with 4:46 left in the third quarter. He overthrew Kelly deep, then handed to tailback Chris Brown for a loss back inside the 1.
The Sooners came out in a conservative formation on third-and-10, in the I with tight ends Joe Jon Finley and Jermaine Gresham on their right wing.
Thompson faked a handoff to Brown, held the ball for a second and lofted a perfect lead pass to Gresham, who was a step behind safety Tierre Green. Gresham gained 25 yards on the catch, then 10 more after a stiff-arm of Green.
"Jermaine came up with a great catch," Thompson said. "Just for him to step up when he hadn't caught a ball all day."
"That sparked it," said Kelly.
"The rest of the drive, Paul was excellent," coach Bob Stoops said. "Hats off to him. What a great character guy."
Thompson had his first completion of the second half and some momentum for the rest of the drive. He faked a handoff on the next play, and, with a Nebraska rush bearing down, flicked a 22-yard pass to Juaquin Iglesias, who had beaten linebacker Stewart Bradley out of the slot.
Next, Thompson rolled to his left, away from a line of scrimmage the Huskers had crowded with eight defenders, and found Kelly for 9 yards. A 2-yard Allen Patrick run followed, and OU had a first down from the Nebraska 31.
Next, Thompson rolled right and fired. Freshman Adron Tennell took the pass from cornerback Cortney Grixby for his only reception, and the Sooners were on the Nebraska 16.
From the I, Thompson rolled left again, and picked on Grixby again. This time, Kelly made a reaching catch for 11 yards. Patrick hammered down to the 3 on first down. Then Thompson's play-action flick went off the fingertips of fullback Dane Zaslaw at the goal line. Third down.
From the shotgun, Thompson took the snap, looked right and lofted a fade toward Kelly and Grixby near the back corner of the end zone.
Kelly made the catch, touched his toe to the Arrowhead grass, and OU led 21-7.
Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
THE DRIVE
The play-by-play for Oklahoma's game-clinching, 99-yard drive in the third quarter.
4:46 in third quarter
First-and-10 from OU 1: Paul Thompson overthrows Malcolm Kelly deep
Second-and-10 from OU 1: Steve Octavien stops Chris Brown for no gain
Third-and-10 from OU 1: Thompson 35-yard play-action completion to Jermaine Gresham
First-and-10 from OU 36: Thompson 22-yard play-action completion to Juaquin Iglesias
First-and-10 from Neb 42: Thompson 9-yard roll-out completion to Kelly
Second-and-1 from Neb 33: Allen Patrick 2-yard run off left side
First-and-10 from Neb 31: Thompson 15-yard roll-out completion to Adron Tennell
First-and-10 from Neb 16: Thompson 11-yard roll-out completion to Kelly
First-and-goal from Neb 5: Patrick 2-yard run off right side
Second-and-goal from Neb 3: Thompson play-action pass off Dane Zaslaw's fingertips
Third-and-goal from Neb 3: Thompson touchdown pass on fade to Kelly
1:25 in third quarter
