Spencer Rattler handed for 304 yards and a landing and No. 2 Oklahoma, enjoying a street sport on its residence subject, narrowly prevented a stunning upset by holding on for a 40-35 victory over Tulane on Saturday
NORMAN, Okla. — Spencer Rattler handed for 304 yards and a landing and No. 2 Oklahoma, enjoying a street sport on its residence subject, narrowly prevented a stunning upset by holding on for a 40-35 victory over Tulane on Saturday.
The opener for each groups was relocated from New Orleans due to Hurricane Ida, and Oklahoma had the Inexperienced Wave painted on the 25-yard traces. Sooners followers cheered when Tulane’s gamers bumped into the sector earlier than the sport.
On the finish, they had been holding their breath.
The Sooners, who led 40-22 early within the fourth quarter, gave up a pair of late touchdowns. Tulane had fourth-and-13 simply in need of midfield with slightly below two minutes to go when quarterback Michael Pratt ran for less than 12 yards and the Inexperienced Wave turned the ball over on downs. The Sooners ran out the clock.
Oklahoma led 37-14 at halftime.
“The second half, I feel clearly our group felt like the sport was over,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley mentioned. “That’s clearly my job to ensure our mentality is true. I don’t assume it was. I feel we had been enjoying properly at that time and had separated a bit bit. After which you may simply see we weren’t fairly the identical group popping out.”
Oklahoma’s Gabe Brkic tied an FBS file with three subject objectives of fifty or extra yards, and Marvin Mims had 5 catches for 117 yards.
Rattler, a preseason first-team AP All-American, accomplished 30 of 39 passes, ran for a rating and threw for one more, however he additionally threw two interceptions.
Pratt handed for 296 yards and three touchdowns for the Inexperienced Wave. He additionally ran for a rating.
“Actually pleased with the hassle,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz mentioned. “Clearly, we didn’t come down right here to play shut. However we may have gained the sport. If we might had performed higher within the first half, I feel we might have had a significantly better alternative to do it. However we’re going to have the ability to watch the tape and construct on it.”
Tulane opened the scoring on a 6-yard landing go from Pratt to Cameron Carroll. The Inexperienced Wave went up 14-7 within the first quarter on a 15-yard landing run by Jaetavian Toles.
Oklahoma scored the subsequent 30 factors. Brkic made three subject objectives within the second quarter. His second was a 51-yarder, and he closed the half with a career-long 56-yarder. It was the longest subject aim for an Oklahoma kicker since 1977.
Pratt scored on a 4-yard keeper, and the Inexperienced Wave obtained the 2-point conversion to make it 37-22.
Tulane lower it to 40-28 on Pratt’s 5-yard landing go to Carroll. Pratt stumbled and fell within the backfield on the 2-point attempt.
Brkic missed a 31-yard subject aim, giving Tulane a shot late. Pratt’s 5-yard landing go to Will Wallace made it 40-35 with 2:18 remaining, and Tulane recovered the onside kick earlier than failing to attain.
Fritz mentioned he beloved how targeted his gamers had been, particularly with so many having household and associates having points again residence.
“Our guys have dealt with it extraordinarily properly,” Fritz mentioned. “They actually have. I’ve obtained good younger males. I’ve only a few issues with our guys. And, , that’s what I’m most pleased with. They will deal with this type of scenario.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Oklahoma: The Sooners couldn’t run the ball within the second half, so that they could not put the sport away. Oklahoma scored simply three factors after the break.
BRKIC
Brkic made subject objectives of 56, 55 and 51 yards. He turned the primary Oklahoma kicker to make a couple of subject aim of fifty or extra yards in a sport. He fell simply in need of the varsity file for longest subject aim — Tony DiRienzo hit a 60-yarder in 1973.
KENNEDY BROOKS
Brooks returned for the Sooners after sitting out final season with COVID-19 issues. He had 87 yards on 14 carries.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Sooners may drop after going to the wire towards an unranked group.
UP NEXT
Tulane: Hosts Morgan State on Saturday.
Oklahoma: Hosts Western Carolina on Saturday.
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Observe Cliff Brunt on Twitter: twitter.com/CliffBruntAP.
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