SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 8, 2011
The Red River Rivalry turned into the Red River Rout, as top-ranked Oklahoma, helped by Landry Jones’ big day and five Texas turnovers, cruised to a 55-17 victory Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
It was the most lopsided victory in the series since Oklahoma defeated the Longhorns 65-13 in 2003.
Jones threw all three of his touchdown passes before halftime as Oklahoma took a 34-10 lead. The senior quarterback finished with 367 passing yards for the Sooners, who improved to 5-0 and defeated the 10th-ranked Longhorns (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and 2004.
When Oklahoma’s offense wasn’t finding the end zone, it was the defense, which had three scores — one on an interception return late in the second quarter and two more in the second-half on a pair of fumble recoveries.
The Texas offense, led by quarterbacks David Ash and Case McCoy, was largely ineffective. The Longhorns were outgained 315-98 in the first half and mustered just one field goal. Their lone first-half touchdown came on a Fozzy Whittaker kickoff return that brought them within 27-10.
Ash went 11-of-20 for 107 yards, a touchdown and a pair of interceptions, and McCoy threw for just 116 yards.
Bob Stoops improved to 8-5 all-time against Texas coach Mack Brown, whose team cracked the top 10 last week for the first time since last October, when it began a stretch of six losses in seven games in a disastrous 5-7 season.
Texas came in ranked No. 14 in total defense but through its first four games hadn’t faced an offense better than 63rd in the country. Oklahoma’s fourth-ranked attack proved to be too difficult for the Longhorns to slow down, as the Sooners piled up 453 total yards.
Ryan Broyles had nine catches for 122 yards and a touchdown and Kenny Stills added a pair of scores for the Sooners, who improved to 2-0 in Big 12 play.