The #7 Oklahoma Sooners may be just a win away from a College Football Playoff berth after a 30-29 escape job against the #18 TCU Horned Frogs. Oklahoma nearly squandered a 30-13 lead, but TCU head coach Gary Patterson would call for a two-point conversion in the closing seconds with his team trailing by one after a Bram Kohlhausen TD pass. The conversion would fail, sending TCU to their second loss and keepin OU's playoff dream alive. Here's some notes, quotes and observations from the Sooners' win.
Notes:
Sooners QB Baker Mayfield was knocked out of Saturday's game with an apparent concussion after a targeting shot by a TCU player. Trevor Knight came in in relief, going just 5 of 16 for 48 yards and a pick. If it wasn't for OU's running game, the Horned Frogs' near miracle upset would likely have been completed.
TCU's furious finish was cut short by Gary Patterson's call for a two-point conversion, but kudos still go to the undermanned Horned Frogs for almost pulling off the win without QB Trevone Boykin and WR Josh Doctson.
The first and foremost game ball goes to Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine. He rushed for 188 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, pacing the OU offense while the passing game stagnated. Joe Mixon added 87 yards, adding some massive carries to Oklahoma's 333-yard night on the ground.
TCU QBs Foster Sawyer and Bram Kohlhausen went a combined 13 of 31 for 229 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Their inconsistency through the air was a killer, especially with RB Aaron Green doing work in the running game (23 carries, 126 yards, one touchdown).
Quotes:
"Our doctors were constantly checking (Mayfield)... Everything checking out fine. At halftime, Baker admitted to having a headache." -- Oklahoma HC Bob Stoops on Mayfield staying in the game after a targeting shot before being taken out at halftime.
"We got a game in five days. You go 3 OT, you've got no chance to win the next game." -- TCU HC Gary Patterson on the team's decision to go for two down one late.
"That will be up to our doctors and trainers. They'll be thorough in checking him." -- Bob Stoops on Baker Mayfield's status for next week.
Observations:
Mayfield's status for Oklahoma's regular season finale against Oklahoma State will be the hottest topic in the state of Oklahoma next week. If he can't go, the Cowboys have a fantastic shot at upending the Sooners and reinserting themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation. If he can play, the playing field will be level in one of the biggest Bedlam showdowns in the rivalry's history.
TCU's College Football Playoff hopes were buoyed for most of the season by the team's otherworldly offense with Trevone Boykin under center. The offense has been downgraded from "otherworldly" to "good" in his absence, but TCU head coach Gary Patterson still has plenty to be proud of with his team. They've battled injuries all season long and still have a fantastic shot at another double-digit season.
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