Bears Succumb to Sooner Pressure

Norman, OK--Baylor came into today's game against Oklahoma having scored 40 or more points in each of their last three games (UConn, Northwestern State, Kent State), all of which equalled wins. They lost on the road by 3 points to a 4-1 Wake Forrest team out of the ACC. So to say this is the same old Baylor team that is used to being the whipping boy of the Big XII couldn't be any further from the truth. This Baylor team, led by sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin, is on the cusp of being a bowl eligible team for the first time since the 1994 Alamo Bowl (L, 3-10 to Washington State). Griffin is one of the most exciting players in the Big XII and nears the top of that same list nationwide. Too bad he had to come to Norman to face a Sooner team that has never lost to Baylor (now at 19-0) and a team that is known for being able to shut down one dimensional players. Griffin and the Bears arrived on Owen Field and started off well by scoring on their first drive (5 yard TD run, Jay Finley). The Sooners quickly answered and by the middle of the second quarter the game was on it's way to being a blowout. Two touchdown runs by DeMarco Murray (Jr., Las Vegas, NV) and a touchdown reception by Jameel Owens (Soph., Muskogee, OK) put the Sooners up 21-6 at the 4:15 mark of the second quarter.

The Baylor kicking game was in shambles today and might have cost the Bears a chance at making this a close game. For reasons unknown to media members and the Sooner coaching staff, Baylor head coach Art Briles started freshman middle linebacker Jenner Jones at kicker and kick-off specialist over sophomore kicker Ben Parks. Jones missed all four extra point attempts and one short field goal. It can be assumed if Parks had played today the final score of 51-24 in favor of the Sooners could have been much closer.

Not only did the missed XP's and FG hurt the Bears, Jones' weak kickoffs gave Oklahoma great field position every time (near the 50 yard line). The Sooners went on to dominate the game as most expected they would. The Sooner Nation did get a scare early in the game when Sam Bradford was knocked to the ground after a pass attempt and was slow getting up.
He was taken to the sidelines to be checked out. After several stress induced minutes, Sooner fans were relieved to see Bradford back up with his helmet on ready to go back into the game. Post game interviews with Coach JHeb determined Bradford only suffered from bruised ribs and should be 100% for next weeks Red River Rivalry.

Noteworthy Stats:

--Passing--

Bradford, OU: 22-33-330-2 TD-1 INT-66%-Long 50--Sacks 0

Griffin, BU: 25-41-277-3 TD-2 INT-60.0-Long 25-Sacks 4

--Rushing--

Murray, OU: 15-21-1.4-4 TD-0 FMBL

Finley, BU: 20-65-3.2-1 TD-0 FMBL

Griffin, BU: 9-41-4.5-0 TD-0 FMBL

--Receiving--

Broyles, OU: 6-116-19.3-0 TD-Long 50-0 Drops

Gresham, OU: 5-52-10.4-0 TD-Long 21-0 Drops

Owens, OU: 3-61-20.3-2 TD-Long 44-0 Drops

Fenty, BU: 8-84-10.5-0 TD-Long 21-0 Drops

Gettis, BU: 6-85-14.1-1 TD-Long 20-0 Drops

Finley, BU: 4-44-11.0-2 TD-Long 25-1 Drop

--Defense--

Jackson, OU: 12 TKL-1 INT

English, OU: 6 TKL-2 TFL-2 Sacks

Beal, OU: 5 TKL-2 TFL-2 Sacks

Lake, BU: 10 TKL-1 TFL

Jones, BU: 5 TKL-3 TFL-1 Sack

Jean-Baptiste, BU: 5 TKL-3TFL-1 Sack

>>>>Players of the Game<<<<

Oklahoma: DeMarco Murray, RB, Jr.

Baylor: Jay Finley, RB, Jr.

Player of the Game, DeMarco Murray