The Oklahoma Sooners pulled away late in Manhattan to beat the Kansas State Wildcats 41-24 on Saturday, withstanding a huge effort from Kansas State's Tyler Lockett.
Oklahoma vs. Kansas State 2013 results: Sooners outlast Wildcats 41-31
The Sooners will leave Manhattan win the victory, but the Wildcats gave them all they wanted.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Sooners started quickly in this game. Trevor Knight led OU to a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when he connected with Sterling Shepard from 12 yards out, and stretched that lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on an eight-yard quarterback keeper. Kansas State looked like it was on the ropes, but responded in a big way.
Jake Waters hit Lockett for a 48-yard touchdown less than a minute after Oklahoma scored, and the WIldcats tied the game a few minutes later on a 30-yard touchdown from Waters to Lockett. Brennan Clay would give the Sooners the lead a minute later on a 64-yard touchdown run, but Lockett caught a 90-yard touchdown pass to re-tie the game less than 30 seconds after that. The Sooners would add a field goal right before halftime, when both defenses would mercifully get a break.
The second half was a different animal, though. Both defenses made adjustments, and the pace slowed considerably. The two teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, but Oklahoma was able to pull away in the fourth. Clay made it a two-score game at 34-24 with just under 13 minutes remaining, but the dagger fell when Waters was picked off by Zack Sanchez, who returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.
Zack Sanchez after his pick six! pic.twitter.com/ueo22G47nc
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 23, 2013 Kansas State was able to pull back within two scores with just over six minutes remaining, but the game was iced when Waters threw another interception with under two minutes remaining.
With the win, Bob Stoops is now alone as the winningest coach in program history with 158 wins, breaking a tie with Barry Switzer.
Box Score Hero:
Tyler Lockett was magnificent for Kansas State, pulling in 12 receptions for 278 yards and three touchdowns, setting a school record for receiving yardage in a single game in the process.
He wasn’t the only player to put up big numbers, though. Brennan Clay was a workhorse for OU, running 31 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
Rankings Ramifications:
The Sooners came into this game ranked 20th in the BCS standings, and they should climb with the win.
But Did They Cover?
Kansas State was a five-point favorite at kickoff, so it did not cover the spread.
For More On This Game:
For more on Kansas State, head over to Bring On The Cats.
For more on Oklahoma, check out Crimson and Cream Machine.
Next Week’s Schedule:
Oklahoma: 12/7, at Oklahoma State
Kansas State: 11/30, at Kansas
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