Oklahoma-Nebraska Observations: LIVE In-Game Blog

John Hoover, Ryan Chapman and Josh Callaway offer their real-time observations from the Sooners' historic game against Nebraska.

2:17 p.m.

2:12 p.m.

Final stats:

2:08 p.m.

Well here we go. Nebraska needs to march 83 yards in 57 seconds to extend this one. Awesome game regardless of the expectations ahead of time.

— RC

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1:55 p.m.

After D.J. Graham’s spectacular interception and a bad punt by Michael Turk leaves the Sooners in poor field position, the Huskers score quickly to make it 23-16, 5:38 to play. Omar Manning with the fantastic catch in front of Jaden Davis on the post throw from Adrian Martinez and we’re in for an interesting finish.

Marvin Mims inexplicably dives on the kickoff — which was heading out of bounds — at the OU 8-yard line. Followed by an OU delay of game.

Interesting finish indeed.

— JH

1:47 p.m.

I believe we just saw a SportsCenter No. 1 play from D.J. Graham. Leaping, spinning, one-handed interception. WHAT A CATCH.

It was fourth down, so he shoulda knocked it down, but you don't make the SC Top 10 by knocking passes down.

-- JH

PICKED OFF!@OU_Football's defense comes up with an incredible INT! pic.twitter.com/sKFUa8167A

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 18, 2021

1:47 p.m.

My goodness. D.J. Graham with the best catch of the year with the one-handed interception grab on fourth down. Diving through the air, reaches back and plucks the ball out of the air. Incredible.

First down Sooners.

— RC

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1:35 p.m.

Sooners jump to a 23-9 lead on Kennedy Brooks’ 2-yard TD run, 10:24 to play. The highlight of that drive may have been Spencer Rattler trucking Nebraska defender Garrett Nelson as he ran out of bounds at the 2.

— JH

1:35 p.m.

Kennedy Brooks finishes off a nice drive for the Sooners with a 2-yard touchdown run. Great response from Oklahoma, who looked to be in a much better rhythm on that drive. Rattler was dialed in, even though the long ball to Mario Williams would have likely been a TD if Rattler had better placement on the deep ball… but I digress.

OU up 23-9 with 10:24 left in the game.

— RC

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1:33 p.m.

Spencer Rattler has realized that Jadon Haselwood is probably the best receiver on the field.

Three straight targets for the former 5-star, and the chains continue to move.

— RC

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Third quarter stats:

1:23 p.m.

Big time play from OU’s special teams. Any momentum gained from the Nebraska touchdown is immediately wiped away as Isaiah Coe blocked the PAT attempt and Pat Fields housed it to give Oklahoma the two-point conversion.

The play silenced the “Go Big Red” chants that had engulfed Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and OU stays in front by a touchdown 16-9.

— RC

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1:13 p.m.

We saw Nebraska implode vs. Illinois with a litany of dumb plays. That was one right there: a personal foul by Cameron Jurgens at the end of a 41-yard screen pass.

— JH

1:11 p.m.

Martinez is spraying the football a little bit, and his receivers are baling him out. Sooner defense starts this drive looking a little out of sorts.

— JH

1:08 p.m.

Today’s attendance is 84,659, technically the 136th consecutive sellout since the streak started in 1999.

— JH

1:05 p.m.

Much better stuff from Rattler on that drive, likely as a result of Riley turning back to the run game.

The Oklahoma quarterback was 5-of-5 on that drive, including two really nice throws to Drake Stoops after a Jadon Haselwood offensive pass interference put OU behind the chains.

— RC

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1:04 p.m.

On third and goal, Riley calls for his old standby: play-action throw to H-back Jeremiah Hall. It’s the ninth touchdown catch of his career. OU leads 14-3, 3:50 third quarter.

— JH

1:00 p.m.

Jadon Haselwood flagged for offensive pass interference. His hands were on the defender and did extend, but hard to see a push. Little bit of a weak call. Rattler finds Drake Stoops for 22 yards on the next play and 9 on third down. Sooners threatening ...

— JH

12:57 p.m.

A little razzle-dazzle: Mario Williams lines up in the backfield, take a pitch from Rattler, sprints right, throws back to Rattler, who throws a mid-range pass to Marvin Mims. Picks up 23 yards. Longest pass of the day for Oklahoma.

— JH

12:54 p.m.

Sooner defense stiffens in the red zone after Nebraska pretty much imposed its will offensively to start the third quarter. Run and pass, everything was working for the Huskers before Pat Fields’ first-down tackle. Nebraska 35-yard field goal is wide right. Still 7-3. Huge drive coming up for Oklahoma.

— JH

12:28 p.m.

12:27 p.m.

Halftime stats

12:26 p.m.

Looked like the Sooners got ripped off when Haselwood stepped out of bounds with one second on the clock. Officials wound the clock anyway. I get the sense a long Gabe Brkic field goal was forthcoming. Guess the officiating crew is a little hot down there on the field.

— JH

12:18 p.m.

OU’s defense will head into the half wishing they had done more. Sure, they only held Nebraska to three points, but this ‘Huskers offense isn’t exactly a great unit.

Nebraska ended up 5-for-10 on third down conversions in the first half, added another conversion on fourth down as well. Will be interesting to see what adjustments are made at halftime. Scoreboard watching shouldn’t be a problem in today’s third quarter.

— RC

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12:16 p.m.

Basically on this drive, the Sooners are subbing out their interior d-linemen and their cornerbacks. Safeties and LBs are staying the same. Josh Ellison and Isaiah Thomas combine for a second of Adrian Martinez to set up another third down. Timeout Oklahoma.

— JH

12:13 p.m.

After a Michael Turk pins Nebraska at the 4, Isaiah Coe and Josh Ellison dominate the middle on back to back plays to set up a third-and-12, but after starters Jalen Redmond and Perrion Winfrey are subbed in, Gabe Ervin runs past everyone for a 13-yard gain and another third-and-long conversion. Coe, Ellison and Kori Roberson have really been playing well this season.

— JH

12:08 p.m.

Can’t recall the last time I saw a quarterback get a facemask penalty (during a stiffarm). Puts the Sooners behind the chains and it’s another punt. Rattler looks out of sorts.

— JH

12:01 p.m.

Kind of an important drive here. Cornhuskers just missed another 50-yard field goal, and the Sooners need to get going. Spencer Rattler 8-of-12 for 60 yards so far, Kennedy Brooks 5 carries for 48 yards. Putting those together would likely produce a touchdown here.

— JH

12:01 p.m.

Nik Bonitto playing spy there on the crucial third down… But he does a great job recognizing when to trigger and the hurry on Martinez seals the third down stop. Bonitto is so so good at that.

— RC

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11:55 a.m. 

Spencer Rattler had to throw under pressure because Kennedy Brooks missed a blitzed. Brooks is usually a much better pass blocker than that, but it was costly. Gabe Brkic somehow misses from 54 yards. It’s still 7-3.

11:55 a.m. 

Finally, Gabe Brkic shows he’s human. Misses a 54-yard attempt.  

Running game looked much better on that drive with Raym in at center, but Brooks whiffs his blitz pickup on third down, which is why OU had to settle for another long field goal attempt.

— RC

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11:52 a.m.

Andrew Raym in at center, by far the earliest he’s gotten into a game. And would you look at that, massive holes getting opened up for Kennedy Brooks to run through.

— RC

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11:47 a.m. 

Sooners get the stop, but Isaiah Thomas had Martinez dead to rights in the backfield and couldn’t finish off the play to get the sack. Would have been a crucial miss if it was even a third and medium. Have to be able to make those plays. 

 — RC

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11:46 a.m.

11:45 a.m.

First quarter stats:

11:42 a.m. 

Really poor drive there from Rattler. Didn’t look comfortable and was staring down his first read on every play. Unable to pick up the third and long, and the Sooners will be forced to punt to get the second quarter rolling. 

 — RC

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11:32 a.m. 

Nebraska continues to shoot themselves in the foot, just like they did against Illinois. Three false starts and a senseless personal foul on the first drive for the ‘Huskers. Have to settle for a 51-yard field goal to cap off their first possession. 

7-3 Sooners with 1:21 left in the first quarter. Turning the clocks back with this time of possession battle.

 — RC

11:23 a.m. 

 Sooners getting the crowd they want. Force back-to-back false starts to get things going. 

 Starting defensive line and safeties are no shock, Graham and Jaden Davis get the nod at corner. DaShaun White and Brian Asamoah your starting linebackers, with Justin Broiles getting the nod at nickel on drive No. 1 instead of Jeremiah Criddell (Bowman out). 

— RC

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11:15 a.m. 

Impressive first drive by the Sooners. Eric Gray with some big plays, and then true freshman Mario Williams took over. Broke up a sure interception and then a big chunk play on a screen (set up by a massive block by Drake Stoops). 

OU gets stuffed once at the one, but Rattler cashes in the sneak for a 1-yard touchdown run to start things off. 

 Drive recap: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:58 off the clock.

-- RC

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11:09 a.m. 

Offensive line starters remain the same for Game 3. Rattler looks comfortable so far, but the Nebraska fans bringing the noise and forcing an early false start on a crucial third down. Cody Jackson also getting a grab on the first drive. Plenty of confidence in the youngsters from this OU staff. 

 — RC

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11:06 a.m.

It looks like Bob enjoyed his morning

Here. We. Go. #BeatNebraska pic.twitter.com/LtiHJeYpeE

— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) September 18, 2021

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11:04 a.m. 

Nebraska wins the toss, defers to the second half. Spencer Rattler on deck to get this one going. 

 — RC

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10:55 a.m.

We're about five minutes from the scheduled kickoff and the atmosphere has been incredible. Plenty of 'Huskers fans made the trip, and Big Noon Kickoff was fun. 

Bob Stoops was juiced, getting the crowd going with some "Texas Sucks" and "Nebraska Sucks" chants. Living his best life. 

-- RC

First quarter stats: