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Oklahoma scores early and often to pound Nebraska

Nov 2, 2008 - 3:34 AM NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Oklahoma's fast start was just a sign of things to come for Nebraska.

The fourth-ranked Sooners scored 28 points less than six minutes into the game and Sam Bradford tossed five touchdown passes as Oklahoma pounded Nebraska, 62-28, on Saturday.

Bradford was 19-of-27 for 311 yards with one interception for Oklahoma (8-1, 4-1 Big 12 South), which scored the most points in its 84-game series against Nebraska.

"We just came out firing with everybody," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "I just thought our guys were really focused and we couldn't have executed much better in all parts of the game. Our offense was moving and running fast and our defense made all the big plays and turnovers."

Playing its first regular-season game against Nebraska since 2005, Oklahoma did not waste any time re-introducing itself to an old rival.

Chris Brown capped an opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and Dominique Franks had an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown on Nebraska's first play, giving Oklahoma a 14-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest.

Following a fumble by Nebraska (5-4, 2-3 Big 12 North), Oklahoma struck again three plays later as Bradford connected with Quentin Chaney on a 48-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.

"We did not respond well as a team to some of the adversity that we had and we had some busts on defense," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. "We were not on the same page for whatever reason. Whether we got big eyes when things did not go our way or didn't respond as well as I would have liked. We didn't make a play when the momentum was going against us and you have to make a play."

Huskers quarterback Joe Ganz was picked off again - on Nebraska's fifth offensive play of the game - setting up Oklahoma on the 9-yard line. Bradford found Jermaine Greshmam on the first play, giving the Sooners a 28-0 bulge with 9:27 left in the first.

"(The turnovers were) great and our offense took advantage of it," Stoops said. "Sam (Bradford) was again exceptional. It's pleasing that we still ran the football really well. I thought DeMarco (Murray) and Chris (Brown) were great, so it was a really good night."

Bradford found Brown for a 1-yard touchdown to give Oklahoma a 35-0 lead with four seconds left in the first quarter, and Nebraska was never able to recover, failing to come within 28 points the rest of the way.

The Sooners, who scored 55 first-half points in a win against Kansas State last week, held a 49-14 advantage at intermission and led, 62-21, after three quarters.

"That is a heck of a football team," Pelini said of Oklahoma. "They are a (darn) good football team. I give all the credit to Oklahoma. They beat us in every phase of the game tonight."

Ganz finished 14-of-26 for 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

"He started off bad and had some bad things happen to him," Pelini said. "Joe is a guy that has been carrying us and has been making a ton of plays for us. To his credit, I thought that he came back and played better. He is a tough guy and has a lot of character about him and I was proud about how he came back in the game."