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Sooners bounce back by dispatching Kansas

Oct 20, 2013 - 6:18 AM Lawrence, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - The 18th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners stayed perfect in games immediately following the Red River Rivalry under the guidance of Bob Stoops.

Blake Bell threw two touchdown passes in the Sooners' 34-19 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday.

Bell completed 15-of-25 passes for 131 yards and an interception for the Sooners (6-1, 3-1 Big 12), who bounced back from a 36-20 loss to Texas last weekend. Under Stoops, Oklahoma is now 15-0 in games immediately following its Red River Rivalry contest versus Texas, including a 7-0 mark against Kansas.

Damien Williams carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards and a score for the Sooners, who have now won 21 consecutive games immediately following a regular-season loss dating back to 2004.

Sterling Shepard caught seven passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns for the victors.

"At halftime we got the adjustments ironed out and where we needed to be and played really well during all of the same plays during the second half," said Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.

Jake Heaps connected on just 5-of-13 passes for 16 yards and a touchdown for the Jayhawks (2-4, 0-3), who have lost three in a row. James Sims carried the ball 23 times for 129 yards and two scores.

"It's the best (running game) we've had in a while and running against a good defense too. Going in we had to try to control the ball, I thought James (Sims) and Darrian (Miller) both ran the ball very well," Kansas head coach Charlie Weis said.

The Jayhawks actually got off to a fast start, scoring a touchdown on their first possession. Sims carried the ball eight times during a 10-play series that Jimmay Mundine capped with a 1-yard TD catch.

Oklahoma running back Keith Ford fumbled near the end of the first quarter. Kansas started from its own 32 and Darrian Miller ripped off a 38-yard run on the first play. A defensive pass interference penalty on the first play of the second stanza put the ball at the 11-yard line. Sims' 11-yard TD run was followed by a missed extra point.

After the teams traded punts, Oklahoma took over at its own 45 with over 10 minutes remaining in the half. A defensive pass interference penalty and Jalen Saunders' 25-yard catch moved the ball to the Kansas 14. Jaz Reynolds capped the drive with a 16-yard TD catch. Michael Hunnicutt missed the extra point.

The Jayhawks went three-and-out and were forced to punt. Matt Dimon blocked the punt and Kansas punter Trevor Pardula kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety.

Oklahoma needed just one play to take the lead. Wide receiver Lacoltan Bester threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Shepard, making it 15-13.

Hunnicutt added a 37-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to give Oklahoma a five-point margin.

The Sooners continued to roll in the early stages of the third period. A defensive pass interference penalty put Oklahoma at the Kansas 10-yard line. Shepard then caught a 10-yard TD pass to make it a 25-13 game.

Kansas had a chance to get back in the game with over 10 minutes left in the fourth stanza. The Jayhawks blocked a punt and took over at the six of Oklahoma. Sims then scampered into the end zone for a 6-yard score.

But the Sooners quickly gained some momentum back by blocking the ensuing extra point. Aaron Colvin picked up the loose ball and raced down the left sideline and into the end zone for a two-point defensive conversion.

Oklahoma followed with a game-clinching drive that took almost six minutes off the clock. Roy Finch's 23-yard run helped set up Williams' 6-yard TD run, making it a 34-19 game with 4:19 to play.

Game Notes

Oklahoma has dominated the all-time series with Kansas, 71-27-6. The Sooners are 9-0 versus the Jayhawks under Stoops ... Bell carried the ball 10 times for 53 yards ... Oklahoma racked up 415 yards of total offense.