Field Level Media
Sep 7, 2019
Jalen Hurts threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns as No. 4 Oklahoma blew out South Dakota 70-14 on Saturday night in Norman, Okla.
Hurts played just one series after halftime.
While the offensive explosion wasn't unexpected, the defense was the most encouraging aspect for the Oklahoma, at least when it came to the starters.
After not recording a turnover a week ago -- something first-year Sooners defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said was "not OK" -- Oklahoma (2-0) forced three against the Coyotes.
Sophomore nickelback Brendan Radley-Hiles was at the center of the first two.
Radley-Hiles recovered Kai Henry's fumble, which was forced by Neville Gallimore, late in the second quarter, ending what had been a promising drive for South Dakota.
Then Radley-Hiles picked off Austin Simmons on the first drive of the second half and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to put Oklahoma up 35-0.
The interception return was the first for a score for the Sooners since Parnell Motley in 2017 against Tulane.
It was Oklahoma's first game against an FCS opponent since 2012.
The Sooners' CeeDee Lamb caught six passes for a game-high 144 yards and a touchdown. Lamb also had a 46-yard reception on the game's second play called back due to a penalty.
But he had a 48-yard catch on the next drive, and then finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown catch.
With the game out of hand in the second half, the Sooners turned things over to backup quarterbacks Tanner Mordecai and Spencer Rattler.
Rattler, a five-star prospect, completed all four of his passes on his first collegiate drive, including a 9-yard touchdown to fellow freshman Trejan Bridges.
Oklahoma had 733 yards of total offense, including 104 yards and a touchdown on only six carries for Rhamondre Stevenson. Eleven receivers caught passes for the Sooners.
Simmons completed 25 of 34 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns for South Dakota (0-2). The Coyotes rushed for only 79 yards.
--Field Level Media