Bedlam Memories: Backup QB Delivers Late TD Pass in Oklahoma's Crazy Rally

Blake Bell, playing in relief of injured starter Trevor Knight, found Jalen Saunders in the corner of the end zone as the Sooners prevented OSU from winning the Big 12 title.

NOTE: This is the first in a series of memorable Bedlam matchups between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State leading up to Saturday's game in Stillwater, the last in a rivalry spanning more than 100 years. The AllSooners staff picks its favorite games we either covered or watched live.

2013

On a bitter cold December day in Stillwater, Oklahoma trailed sixth-ranked Oklahoma State, 24-20, with 19 seconds left to go in the game.

Somehow, OU had managed to keep things close without the benefit of an offensive touchdown, thanks to a 64-yard punt return touchdown by Jalen Saunders and an 8-yard touchdown pass from holder Grant Bothun to kicker Michael Hunnicutt on a fake field goal attempt. Hunnicutt also added a pair of field goals.

At stake for the Cowboys was a second Big 12 Conference championship in three years and a BCS bowl game. No. 18 Oklahoma, meanwhile, entered the game as a double-digit underdog looking to play spoiler.

The Sooners succeeded in dashing OSU's title hopes when quarterback Blake Bell, playing in relief of injured starter Trevor Knight, found Saunders wide open in the corner of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Sooners a 27-24 lead in the final seconds.

Following the scoring pass, Eric Striker recovered a fumble in the end zone for the game's final points.

Blake Bell / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Bell, a 6-foot-6 junior who came to be known as the Belldozer for his running style in short-yardage packages, started eight games earlier in the 2013 season for the Sooners, including a win at Notre Dame. 

But in the regular season finale against Oklahoma State, he was Oklahoma's third option at quarterback behind Knight and Kendal Thompson. 

Bell ended Bedlam that day by leading the Sooners on a game-winning 66-yard drive, completing  5-of-8 passes on the drive.

The winning drive, however, was nearly cut short when Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert appeared to intercept a Bell pass intended for Lacoltan Bester. But officials ruled that Gilbert didn't maintain control of the football when he fell to the turf and Bester poked the ball out.

For the game, Bell completed 10-of-16 passes for 140 yards in place of Knight, who injured his shoulder diving for the end zone toward the end of the first half, and Thompson, who was ineffective in his brief appearance.

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