Oklahoma’s high-powered offensive attack has been talked about at great length, but its defense has proven more than capable of pulling off its own share of momentum-changing plays.
The defense drove OU to a 23-13 victory against Florida State on Saturday night.
By the end of the game, OU had forced six sacks and three interceptions. And on a night where the offense only put up 310 total yards, the defense proved the Sooners do not have to run 100 plays or score 50 points to compete with the best teams in the country.
“The defense played great,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “They created turnovers, got pressure, got us out of some tight spots. Just did an excellent job.”
The Sooners started the game on offense and seemed to pick up right where they left off against the ‘Noles last season. OU marched 80 yards down the field to take the early 7-0 lead.
Florida State countered with a field goal in the first to keep the game close. However, after that, the game turned into a defensive battle with neither team finding the end zone again until the fourth quarter.
FSU’s offense started to show signs of life in the second stanza of the game. But two big interceptions kept momentum on Oklahoma’s side.
“Our guys responded in tough situations,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “We had a bunch of guys make a bunch of special plays.”
On a night when the OU offense was having trouble, the Sooner defense looked nearly perfect — except for one gaffe.
When Florida State freshman quarterback Clint Trickett, who entered the game in the third after E.J. Manuel left with a shoulder injury, found freshman receiver Rashad Greene for a 56-yard touchdown to tie the game at 13, the Sooners were on the ropes.
After being shut down for two quarters, Jones found sophomore receiver Kenny Stills for a 37-yard touchdown pass on the next drive, and that was all the lead the defense would need.
“We kind of gave it to them, but our guys really believe in each other,” co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said. “We believed we could come back in the fourth quarter when it was tough. It wasn’t just lip service.”