Oklahoma blanks K-State
Manhattan, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Going into Saturday’s game, both Oklahoma and Kansas State came in with plenty to prove after tough losses the previous week. The Sooners lost to rival Texas in the annual Red River Shootout, while the Wildcats saw an 18-point lead evaporate and fell short to TCU. As the dust settle at the end of the day, Oklahoma looked the part of a top 10 team in a 55-0 dominating win over K-State on Homecoming at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
It took the Sooners only 64 seconds to score their first points of the game. Baker Mayfield connected with Sterling Shepard on a 22-yard pass to give OU the early 7-0 lead that included the Austin Seibert extra point. Oklahoma scored once more in the first quarter. Two plays after the Sooners intercepted a Joe Hubener pass, Mayfield hit Joe Mixon for a 10-yard pass to make it 14-0 with 8:33 remaining in the quarter.
K-State (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) had one drive that ended in the red zone. Their lone scoring threat of the game ended early in the second quarter after Jack Cantele missed a 33-yard field goal wide right. Five plays later, Mayfield and Shepard connected once again on a 28-yard pass with 12 minutes before halftime to push the lead to 21-0. Nearly five minutes later, Mayfield found Mark Andrews on a three-yard touchdown pass to push the Sooner lead to 28-0. Oklahoma wasn’t done scoring in the first half. Mayfield would throw his fifth touchdown pass of the half to Dede Westbrook from four yards out with 4:59 to go before the half, as Seibert’s PAT gave the Sooners a 35-0 at the break.
Oklahoma (5-1, 2-1) picked up from where they left off in the opening seconds of the second half. Just 22 seconds into the third quarter, Zack Sanchez picks off Kody Cook and goes 38 yards to the end zone to give the Sooners a 42-0 lead. Austin Seibert would knock in field goals from 20 and 19 yards to give OU a 48-0 lead after three quarters. Running back Joe Mixon scored from a yard out to cap off the scoring with 9:44 remaining in the game to make the final 55-0.
Saturday’s game was historic in nature that was on the wrong side for K-State. It was their first shutout in 234 games, which was the 11th longest streak in the nation. They were last shut out 12-0 at Colorado in 1996. The last time the Wildcats were shut out at home was on October 26, 1991, when they lost 10-0 to Colorado. Saturday’s loss was the worst home loss in school history, dating back to 1896.
For Oklahoma, Baker Mayfield was 20-27 for 282 yards with five touchdown passes. Sterling Shepard caught four passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, while Dede Westbrook grabbed five passes for 85 yards and a score. Joe Mixon carried the ball 15 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. The Sooners had 568 yards of offense, 336 came through the air.
Kansas State had a season-low 110 yards of offense, 65 coming on the ground. Wide receiver/backup quarterback Kody Cook had 11 carries for 19 yards to lead the team in rushing. He also led the team with 38 yards receiving on two catches, and Joe Hubener was 4-14 for 39 yards with two interceptions.
Up next for Oklahoma is a home game with Texas Tech on Saturday at 2:30, while K-State heads to Texas to face the Longhorns for an 11 am kickoff on Saturday.
Coach Bill Snyder
Quarterback/Wide Receiver Kody Cook
Left Guard Boston Stiverson
Left Tackle Cody Whitehair
Defensive Tackle Will Geary
Safety Sean Newlan