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Oklahoma faced it’s toughest test of the season so far from an unexpected opponent. What was supposed to be an easy win turned into a dog fight that the Sooners were able to escape a near-upset from Baylor 49-41. The Bears’ 41 points were far-and-away the highest total OU has conceded all season.
Baylor’s Zach Smith, who had the worst completion percentage in the nation entering the game, lit up OU’s secondary to the tune of 483 yards and 4 touchdowns. Baker Mayfield had a modest day by his standards throwing for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns. In the end, it was the Sooners’ running game that carried the day. Abdul Adams and Trey Sermon combined for a monstrous 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. The highlight of the night came at the end of the first quarter when Adams broke off the longest play in OU history with a 99-yard touchdown run.
OU’s receivers were held relatively in check as Mayfield completed just 13 passes all night and no single receiver caught more than three passes. One of the more interesting stories from Saturday night was the reemergence of Dimitri Flowers as a key contributor on offense. Flowers played a substantial role in the Sooners win over Ohio State, but he barely played and did not touch the ball once last week against Tulane. He got his hands on the ball twice against Baylor, and both plays ended in six points for the Sooners. His 52-yard touchdown catch was Mayfield’s longest completion of the day.
Cornerback Jordan Thomas had a rough night all-around. He looked completely hapless trying to cover Baylor receivers Denzel Mims and Chris Platt. Thomas was on the wrong end of a pair of 70+ yard touchdown receptions. His night ended when he left with an apparent ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Lincoln Riley said after the game that he did not know anything regarding the extent of the injury. Thomas was seen in a walking boot after the game.
CB Jordan Thomas was walking around in a boot after the game. Cliched, but #Sooners all agreed this is ideal time for a bye week.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) September 24, 2017
It was certainly not a pretty one, but it was a win nonetheless. OU now sits at 4-0 and will get a much needed bye week before the Big 12 home opener against Iowa State on October 7.
Other Big 12 scores from Saturday
TCU 44, Oklahoma State 31
West Virginia 56, Kansas 34
Texas Tech 27, Houston 24