UTEP Miners vs Oklahoma Sooners Match Player Stats On Sep 02, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 2, 2017

NORMAN, Okla. -- Baker Mayfield didn't need much time to rack up huge numbers as No. 7 Oklahoma blew out UTEP 56-7 Saturday at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Riley's first game as Sooners' head coach

Mayfield played just one half, completing all but one of his 20 passing attempts and finishing with 329 yards and three touchdowns.

Coming off a third-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting as a junior a year ago, Mayfield didn't look bothered by the Sooners' lack of proven playmakers at receiver.

Tight end Mark Andrews, about the only proven receiver for the Sooners, had a monster first half with seven catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Oklahoma jumped out to a 35-7 lead at halftime thanks to Mayfield's control, though he got some help from his receivers also.

The most notable assist came from Jeff Badet, who had to adjust after Mayfield underthrew him on a deep route. Badet was able to get a hand on the pass as he went up with UTEP's Kahani Smith, and tipped it into the air where he grabbed it for a 51-yard gain.

A play later, Mayfield hit Andrews for a 5-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up 28-7.

UTEP got off to a strong start offensively, methodically driving down the field for a touchdown on its opening drive.

The Miners slowed things down and mostly kept the ball on the ground as they tied the game with an eight-play drive that lasted 4:22.

But Oklahoma scored touchdowns on four of its five remaining drives in the first half to take control.

Riley's predecessor, Bob Stoops, rarely pulled his starting quarterbacks before they'd played at least most of the third quarter with games well in hand.

But Kyler Murray, who sat out last year after transferring from Texas A&M, played the entire second half at quarterback as Mayfield watched in a visor from the sidelines. Murray was 10 of 10 for 149 yards and a touchdown.

NOTES: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield's 16 consecutive completions to begin the game was the most by a Sooners QB, breaking the previous record set by Jason White. ... UTEP LB Alvin Jones was ejected for targeting early in the second half for a hit on Oklahoma's Kyler Murray. ... Ten players caught passes in the first half for the Sooners. ... UTEP RB Walter Dawn Jr. ran for 49 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive, but had just seven yards the rest of the way. ... The Sooners play at Ohio State next week while UTEP hosts Rice.