Oklahoma Sooners Football: OU crushes Kansas, 62-9

The No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners took care of business on Saturday, coasting to a 62-9 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks (0-7, 0-6). It was a complete performance on both sides of the ball for Lincoln Riley’s team heading into an off-week. With the win, OU improves to 5-2 on the season, 4-2 in Big 12 play.

The story of the game was the hit Spencer Rattler took during a two-yard rushing touchdown. In the second quarter, OU’s redshirt freshman QB rolled out near the goal line until a path to pay dirt cleared. As Rattler broke the plane, he collided with a KU defender and his hip absorbed the brunt of the contact.

Backup QB Tanner Mordecai checked into the game briefly while OU trainers took a look at Oklahoma’s starter on the sideline. Rattler eventually returned after taking a drive off, but he was noticeably limping and grimacing in some degree of pain for the remainder of the first half and the first part of the third quarter. The upcoming off-week comes at an especially convenient time considering this development.

Alex Grinch’s ‘Speed D’ was running at an optimal level against KU. On the first two defensive possessions, senior CB Tre Brown and junior nickel Brendan Radley-Hiles recorded interceptions, although ‘Bookie’ wound up fumbling away his pick on the ensuing return.

On the day, the Sooners registered nine sacks while giving up just 246 total yards and three of 19 third down conversions. For a program that’s been known for its high-powered offense over the years, the defense is beginning to gain respect for its aggressive play up front and consistent disruption in opposing backfields.

Senior RB Rhamondre Stevenson picked up where he left off in Lubbock with another impressive performance against the Jayhawks. In total, he amassed 104 yards and two scores on 11 carries, and looked comfortable while doing it.

Last week, Stevenson and DE Ronnie Perkins made their 2020 debuts against Texas Tech. Against KU, sophomore WR Jadon Haselwood made his highly-anticipated return after suffering a knee injury in April of this year. The former five-star pass-catcher caught but a single reception for 33 yards on Saturday night. Going forward, he’ll continue to knock off the rust and give Oklahoma a serious weapon on the outside.

Looking ahead, the Sooners have the next weekend off, then on Nov. 21, OU will host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-1, 4-1) in the 115th edition of Bedlam. Oklahoma has won five consecutive meetings with OSU, including a 34-16 beatdown in Stillwater last season, and currently leads this lopsided in-state rivalry series, 89-18-7. Kick-off time and TV details are still to be determined.

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