Oklahoma Sooners Football: OU rolls UTEP 56-7 in season opener

Oklahoma’s 2017 football season is officially underway, and it started much better than last season. OU had almost no trouble putting UTEP away in Saturday’s 56-7 route.

Baker Mayfield was almost perfect in his season-debut, as he went 19/20 for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mayfield was relieved of his duties early in the third quarter by Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray. Riley obviously wanted to ensure Mayfield was 100% healthy for OU’s week 2 matchup against Ohio State in Columbus next weekend, but the early pull also gave Murray a chance to shine in his first game since 2015.

Murray went 10/11 for 149 yard and a touchdown in relief of Mayfield. OU’s running-game also looked strong with Abdul Adams, Marcelias Sutton, Trey Sermon and Rodney Anderson combining for 27 carries for 170 yards and two touchdowns.

The Sooners’ defense recovered from a lackluster opening drive to pitch a shutout the the rest of the way. OU held UTEP to 167 total yards of offense. The win was not without without sacrifice as sophomore cornerback Jordan Parker left with a leg injury in the first quarter. He was spotted on the sideline on crutches wearing a knee brace later in the game. The extent of Parker’s injury is currently unknown.

Full recap to come.