College Sports

No. 6 OU routs Huskers 49-14 in 1st game after Frost firing

Posted September 17, 2022 7:00 am

By ERIC OLSON

Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr. (17) carries a punt return against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Dillon Gabriel threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and sixth-ranked Oklahoma hammered Nebraska 49-14 on Saturday in the Cornhuskers' first game following the firing of Scott Frost.

The game was put on the schedule 10 years ago as the back end of a home-and-home series intended to celebrate what once was among college football's greatest rivalries. Instead, it was further confirmation the Cornhuskers are just a shell of the program that decades ago battled the Sooners for conference titles.

OU (3-0) posted its most lopsided victory over Nebraska (1-3) since a 45-10 win in 1990. The Sooners have won seven of eight against the Huskers. The next meetings are set for 2029 and '30.

'œWe've not done anything but win our first road game,'ť first-year OU coach Brent Venables said.

The Huskers have lost 19 straight against Top 25 opponents and nine in a row against Bowl Subdivision teams.

Frost's tenure, which lasted four years plus three games, was marked by close games. The first one under interim head coach Mickey Joseph was never in doubt after the opening quarter, and Memorial Stadium began emptying at halftime.

Joseph said it was apparent he didn't get his team ready emotionally.

'œIt's not my kids' fault, not my assistant coaches' fault, this is on me," he said. "I've got to accept responsibility for it, and I have. We're going to get better next week. We've got eight games left, and we're going to get ready to win some games.'ť

Oklahoma scored 35 straight points after Nebraska opened the game with a six-play, 77-yard touchdown drive. The Huskers totaled just 71 yards on their next 37 plays in the first half and punted seven times, committed two turnovers and twice turned the ball over on downs before backup quarterback Chubba Purdy ran for a late touchdown.

'œHats off to Nebraska for being ready out the gate,'ť Venables said. "Hats off to our guys for responding.'ť

Gabriel was 16 of 27 for 230 yards and turned things over to backup Davis Beville on the third series of the second half. The Sooners finished with 580 total yards, 312 on the ground.

Gabriel got the Sooners started with a career-long 61-yard touchdown run. 'œWhat sweet feet he had,'ť Venables said.

Gabriel then threw a perfect 25-yard pass to Jalil Farooq to put his team ahead. Marcus Major scored the next two TDs. The first score was a short run and the second on a trick play where Gabriel lateraled to tight end Brayden Willis, who lofted a 24-yard pass to the wide-open Major.

Eric Gray's 16-yard run made it 35-7 at half, and then the Sooners went mostly to the run game to chew up clock. OU was the first team to rush for more than 300 yards against Nebraska since Wisconsin in 2019.

The Huskers' Casey Thompson was 14 of 20 for 129 yards and a touchdown and got sacked four times. He was replaced by Purdy after the Huskers went down 49-7 in the middle of the third quarter.

Nebraska and Oklahoma combined for 44 of 48 Big Seven and Big Eight championships from 1948-1995, with many of those impacting the national championship picture.

Nebraska and Oklahoma players from the 1970s and '~80s made a weekend of it, the Huskers' 1970-71 national championship teams held a reunion and Johnny Rodgers was honored on the field to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his winning the Heisman Trophy.

Joseph said he didn't see such a poor performance coming.

'œYes, it's surprising,'ť he said. 'œBut I wanted them to continue to fight, and they did. It's on me. I've got to fix this problem.'ť

THE TAKEAWAY

Oklahoma: The Sooners didn't have to worry about getting out to a slow start for a second straight week. After scoring seven first-half points against Kent State last week, the Sooners had 35 by half and will go into Big 12 play off their most complete game of the season on both sides of the ball.

Nebraska: The defense continues to flounder, having given up more than 500 yards to a third straight Bowl Subdivision opponent. The offensive line doesn't give Thompson a chance to create a rhythm.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Sooners certainly won't drop out and might break into the top five if one of the teams ahead of them slips up Saturday night.

SOONER EJECTED

Oklahoma's DaShaun White was ejected for targeting in the second quarter when he hit Thompson with the crown of his helmet after Thompson released the ball.

LINE CHANGE

Nebraska left tackle Teddy Prochaska didn't dress because of a shoulder injury and is out for the season, Joseph said. Turner Cocoran, who started the first three games at left guard, took over Prochaska's spot.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma: hosts Kansas State on Saturday in Big 12 opener.

Nebraska: open date before hosting Indiana on Oct. 1.

___

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Oklahoma's Jalen Redmond (31) sacks Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph leads the team onto the field before before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma's Marcus Major (24) runs in a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma's Marvin Mims Jr. (17) misses a pass while under pressure from Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma wide receiver Jalil Farooq (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. (Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via AP) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes the ball against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson (11) passes against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes the ball to Brayden Willis (9) while under coverage from Nebraska's Quinton Newsome (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma's Eric Gray (0) rushes against Nebraska's Garrett Nelson (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, left, meets with Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 49-14. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma's Jovantae Barnes (2) rushes against Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Oklahoma's Oklahoma wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., center, catches a touchdown pass between coverage by Nebraska's Quinton Newsome, left, and Myles Farmer during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 49-14. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy (6) escapes a tackle by Oklahoma's Jaren Kanak (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 49-14. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Nebraska's Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) gets tripped up by Oklahoma's Key Lawrence (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Oklahoma won 49-14. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

Johnny Rodgers holds up a commemorative plaque in honor of the 50th anniversary of his Heisman winning season with Nebraska during a break in play between Oklahoma and Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) The Associated Press

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