The Sports Xchange
Nov 12, 2016
NORMAN, Okla. -- Dede Westbrook had four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns as No. 11 Oklahoma beat Baylor 45-24 in front of 86,249 at Gaylord Family—Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Westbrook failed to get 100 receiving yards for the first time in seven games but still made a big impact, as did Joe Mixon.
Mixon, Oklahoma's sophomore running back who was coming off of a one-game suspension, ran for 124 yards and a touchdown and had five catches for 63 yards.
While the Sooners' offense was plenty explosive, its defense also came through at key times.
Oklahoma forced three Baylor turnovers, including two interceptions by linebacker Jordan Evans.
The first one was the biggest, with the Sooners leading 14-0 but Baylor threatening with third and one from the Oklahoma 2-yard-line.
But Seth Russell's pass wound up hitting Evans in the hands.
The Sooners responded with an 11-play, 91-yard touchdown drive to go up 21-0.
It was the first time this season the Sooners have forced more than two turnovers and only the third time this year Oklahoma has forced more turnovers than it gave up.
Evans became the first player in Sooners history with multiple interceptions and sacks in the same game.
The win was the seventh consecutive for the Sooners (8-2, 7-0 in the Big 12) and kept them in control of the conference race.
For Baylor, it was another step in the wrong direction. After winning their first six games, the Bears (6-3, 3-3) have dropped three consecutive games.
It got even worse for Baylor when quarterback Seth Russell sustained an apparent broken leg midway through the third quarter.
At the end of a 9-yard run, Russell landed awkwardly as he was taken down by Oklahoma linebacker Jordan Evans.
Russell passed for 148 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions and rushed for 70 yards before the injury with 5:48 remaining.
Russell was fitted with an air cast and held his right arm in the air and clapped as he was given an ovation by the crowd as he was driven to the locker room. He was replaced by freshman Zach Smith.
KD Cannon of Baylor had seven catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
NOTES: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield passed for 300 yards for the sixth time this season. ... Jordan Evans' two interceptions were the most by an Oklahoma linebacker since Travis Lewis also had two against Kansas State in 2008. ... Baylor RB Terence Williams left the game early and was using crutches on the sideline, but returned in the second half when JaMycal Hasty was injured. Hasty quickly returned. ... Baylor RB Shock Linwood missed the game due to suspension. ... Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine returned after missing the last three games because of a pulled hamstring. ... Oklahoma plays at West Virginia next week. ... Baylor hosts Kansas State.