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Sooners send Texas Tech to first loss of season

Oct 27, 2013 - 3:44 AM Norman, OK (SportsNetwork.com) - Jalen Saunders caught a pair of touchdown passes and had 153 yards receiving to lead 17th-ranked Oklahoma to a 38-30 victory over No. 10 Texas Tech.

Blake Bell threw for 249 yards and the two TDs on 14-of-22 efficiency. Damien Williams led the rushing attack with 97 yards on 19 touches and two touchdowns to extend the Sooners' (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) winning streak at home to seven games.

"It's definitely big for the team to be able to win against a great Texas Tech football team," Bell said. "It's definitely, for offense, a sign that we're moving in the right direction. We're making big plays and throwing the football."

Davis Webb went 33-of-53 for 385 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Eric Ward had nine catches for 106 yards and two scores, as the Red Raiders (7-1, 4-1) were handed their first loss of the season.

"We knew that coming in that we couldn't have the turnovers, but we didn't take care of business," Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury said.

The start of the game was delayed for over an hour due to rain in the area.

Turnovers slowed both offenses in the first quarter. Webb overthrew his target and was intercepted by Aaron Colvin at Oklahoma's 2-yard line. On the next drive, Tre' Porter threw a solid hit on Brennan Clay, knocking the ball out of Clay's arms with his helmet allowing Bruce Jones to recover the fumble.

Webb found Jakeem Grant for an 18-yard completion on third down to extend the ensuing Texas Tech drive into Oklahoma territory. From the Sooners' 3, Webb pitched to Kenny Williams, who threw to a wide-open Ward in the back of the end zone to give the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead late in the first.

Bell connected with Saunders over the middle for 20 yards to get the Sooners off their own 6-yard line. Oklahoma then converted on fourth down after Bell rushed 10 yards to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Bell tied the game after he found Saunders over the middle for a touchdown to cap off a 16-play, 97-yard drive.

Texas Tech was driving late in the second quarter, but Jace Amaro fumbled the ball after fighting for extra yards at Oklahoma's 24-yard line. On the very next play, Bell aired out a 76-yard bomb to a streaking Saunders to give Oklahoma the lead with 3:55 remaining in the first half.

The Sooners scored on their opening drive of the second half. Williams rushed 32 yards down to Texas Tech's 3-yard line before rushing through the middle untouched on the next play to extend the lead to 21-7.

Texas Tech responded by going 75 yards in a minute for a touchdown. Ward slipped past the Sooners' secondary for a 45-yard reception to put the Red Raiders on Oklahoma's 30. Three plays later, Webb connected with Ward in the end zone for a 23-yard score.

Ryan Bustin added a 34-yard field goal to make it 21-17 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter. Texas Tech then surprised the Sooners with a successful onside kick. DeAndre Washington rushed 19 yards to Oklahoma's 27 and two plays later, Webb threw a short pass to Jakeem Grant for a 17-yard touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 24-21 lead.

Lacoltan Bester took the ball on a reverse and faked a pass before cutting 35 yards across the field to race into the end zone to give the Sooners a 28-24 lead with 33 seconds left in the third quarter.

Ward tipped a pass from Webb up into the air and Gabe Lynn intercepted the ball early in the fourth quarter. Roy Finch ran the ball four straight times for 40 yards to place the Sooners at the Red Raiders' 18-yard line. Williams found the end zone from three yards out to give Oklahoma a 35-24 lead.

Texas Tech converted on fourth down with less than 10 minutes remaining. Webb then connected with Grant for a 24-yard completion at Oklahoma's 31. Amaro caught a 13-yard pass and dragged a defender to the 1-yard line before Williams walked into the end zone. The Red Raiders were unsuccessful on a two-point conversion attempt to keep the score at 35-30.

Michael Hunnicutt's 37-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining sealed the win for Oklahoma.

Game Notes

Oklahoma leads the all-time series 15-6 ... The Sooners are now 16-2 against ranked opponents at home under coach Bob Stoops ...Oklahoma edged Texas Tech in first downs 25-24 and total yards 526-460.