Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes against Arkansas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Yesterday I had a strong prediction that Texas Christian would drag the Colorado Buffalos into a ditch and bury them by a large number in Fort Worth. I was totally wrong as Colorado upset the TCU Horned Frogs with a late score and defensive stop to preserve a 45-42 win in the sold-out Amon G. Carter Stadium (47,000). Colorado is back to legitimacy as a football program with the win.
In other early action in the Big 12, Oklahoma demolished Arkansas State 73-0. The Sooners were on it from the first second as they built up a 45-0 halftime advantage and finished the game using as much clock as they could to keep the score down. It could have been 100-0 if OU had worked at running up the score. OU’s performance was right where it should be for Sooner Nation. It was dominating.
As for Colorado, Travis Hunter had one of the greatest two-way performances in the last 50 years. He made some big catches on offense and had the most significant interception of the game on defense. With that, Head Coach Deion Sanders’ rebuilt is working and with a home meeting with the Nebraska Huskers next week, the Buffs are on their way for some significant wins in the last year of the PAC 12.
From Jai on X: “I think we can all agree we should just give Travis Hunter the Heisman already. CB/WR Travis Hunter vs TCU: * 11 Catches * 119 Yards * 1 INT * 3 Tackles * Played over 110 snaps combined.”
From the AP
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Dillon Gabriel completed 19 of 22 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns — all in the first half — and No. 20 Oklahoma defeated Arkansas State 73-0 on Saturday.
Gabriel also ran for a score in the first half to help Oklahoma take a 45-0 lead. The Sooners gained 437 yards before the break while holding Arkansas State to 106.
Oklahoma freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold, a consensus five-star recruit, played most of the second half. He completed all 11 of his passes for 114 yards and a touchdown and ran for 39 yards and another score.
It was Oklahoma’s first shutout under second-year coach Brent Venables. The Sooners held the Red Wolves (0-1) to 208 total yards and 10 first downs. Arkansas State committed 14 penalties for 111 yards.
Colorado transfer J.T. Shrout connected on 12 of 26 passes for 148 yards for Arkansas State. The Red Wolves were shut out for the first time since Georgia held them scoreless in 2019.
Drake Stoops scored Oklahoma’s first touchdown, a 10-yard catch and run, on the game’s opening possession.
Freeman’s 82-yard punt return for a score gave Oklahoma a 14-0 lead just over two minutes into the game. It was Oklahoma’s first punt return for a touchdown since Dede Westbrook ran one back against Kansas in 2016. Freeman caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to put the Sooners up 28-0.
THE TAKEAWAY
Arkansas State: The Red Wolves were completely overmatched.
Oklahoma: The Sooners supported their defensive effort by rushing for 220 yards on 49 carries. They possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
Feature photo: Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes against Arkansas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
