Oklahoma Sooners Football | Zack Sanchez The Candyman & Defensive Dominance Against The Iowa State Cyclones

The Oklahoma Sooners settled in defensively after the first drive as the Iowa State Cyclones drove 50 yards on 10 plays. Clamping down toward the edge of the redzone, the Sooners forced Cole Netten onto the field for a 43-yard field goal attempt. Unable to muster much more, Netten connected on three field goal attempts, all 43+ yards in the first half as Oklahoma cruised to a 52-16 victory.

In the secondary, Zack Sanchez may have some competition for the starting spot. Coming on strong over the past three games, Dakota Austin continues to prove his worth on this team. Recording a second interception on the season, Austin set up the offense just 27-yards from the endzone. Don't think Sanchez isn't having an impact on this team while on the sideline though.

"Zack's our candyman," Baker Mayfield said of the injured cornerback. "He hands out the bubble gum...I think I got three." It appears as though Sanchez is rewarding fellow teammates after impact type plays...

Upfront, Charles Walker recorded two sacks on the evening while credit belongs to the entire defensive line for the pressure on Joel Lanning. "Everybody has been disciplined, tough-minded and pushing ourselves," Bob Stoops said after the game. "We're competing with ourselves to get better."

However,the head coach singled out Charles Tapper who recorded another two sacks on the night. Although Tapper may not be experiencing the success he had as a sophomore, Stoops remains high on the defensive end saying, "Tap's always been a mainstay. Even if he doesn't show up with sacks, he's playing well. He had another great night."

The success along the defensive front helped weather a bit of a lull offensively in the second quarter. Iowa State managed to gain 136 total yards in the first half and nine points to show for it. Unfortunately for Cyclone fans, the situation failed to improve much in the second half.

Oklahoma stopped their opponent for the second time on fourth down during the third quarter all but putting an end to any hope of momentum for the Cyclones. Of course the event repeated itself in the fourth before ISU broke through the barrier. Driving 65 yards on 13 plays, Lanning found D'Vario Montgomery in the corner of the endzone for the first touchdown and only score of the second half.