Oklahoma Sooners Defense Allows 103 Total Yards In 44-7 Blowout Win Over Kansas Jayhawks

With the rain pouring down, the Oklahoma Sooners appeared to be focused and well prepared for what the Kansas Jayhawks were going to throw at them. After the delay, the defense quickly got to work on the field making the Jayhawk offense uncomfortable.

Rightfully so, all media outlets have focused on the performance Samaje Perine laid down on Saturday. That leads me to the most overlooked stat of the day. That stat manifests itself in knowing the Sooners held their opponent to a mere 103 total yards of offense. The last time a defense in Norman could boast such a feat the year was 2009. Each time Michael Cummings dropped back to throw the ball, receivers failed to get open while the defensive line swarmed the quarterback. Regardless, the junior hurled the slick ball toward outstretched hands 22 times while 11 of those were caught. The result produced 84 yards of offense.

On the ground, Kansas mustered .5 yards per carry without much running room. Multiple times, the idea of Tony Pierson being the most athletic player on the Jayhawk was mentioned on the broadcast. It is the sole reason the one time receiver found himself playing running back. However, the tactic failed to yield positive results as the 175-pound back finished the game with a negative total.

Overall, the defense put up a shutout as the only time Kansas crossed into the endzone came off a fumble recovery.

Position Grades

Defensive Line - The task of the day was forcing Cummings to remain uncomfortable while stopping the run. Jordan Phillips made his presence known in the middle with 2 tackles for loss while the linebackers took care of the gaps. On the outside, the defensive ends provided 2 tackles for loss and .5 sacks. Overall Grade: A

Linebackers - Dominique Alexander summed it up best when he said, "Just playing fast. We had a great week of preparation and we knew what was coming. And with the rain we knew they also had to run the ball, so we were just shooting our gaps and stopping the run." Eric Striker had another 2 tackles for loss along with a fumble recovery and .5 sacks on Saturday. Overall Grade: A+

Secondary - I was completely fine with the cushion the secondary gave the receivers provided the weather. Jordan Thomas made a great open field tackle as the ball came to his side of the field. Needless to say, the longest play through the air produced an 18 yard gain. There were no big plays given up and for this secondary, that is an accomplishment in and of itself after some of the struggles. Overall Grade: A