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No. 18 Oklahoma pulled clear of SMU for a 28-11 win at home Saturday as the Sooners improved to 2-0 in their second season under coach Brent Venables. Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 19 of 27 passes for 169 yards and four touchdowns -- each to different receivers -- in the victory as the Sooners finished the game on a 14-0 run to fend off any comeback effort by the Mustangs.
What was expected to be a high-scoring affair between two potent offenses started off as a bit of a defensive struggle with Oklahoma holding just a 14-3 edge at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter from both teams, SMU cut the deficit to three early in the fourth quarter when Mustangs quarterback Preston Stone connected with Stone Eby for a 2-yard touchdown pass followed by a successful 2-point conversion that brought the score to 14-11.
There was no comeback attempt to be had, however, as Oklahoma punched back later in the quarter with a pair of Gabriel touchdown passes less than three minutes apart. Gabriel found Jalil Farooq for a 29-yard touchdown pass with just less than nine minutes in the game before connecting with Marcus Major on a 27-yard pass several minutes later to deliver the dagger.
SMU narrowly outgained Oklahoma despite the loss, finishing with 367 yards to Oklahoma's 365, but the Mustangs offense struggled to display consistency over the course of the evening. Stone passed for a game-high 250 yards but only threw one touchdown with an interception. SMU also turned the ball over twice in the loss.
With the win, Oklahoma improved to 6-1-1 all-time against SMU. Saturday marked the first meeting between the schools since 1995.
The Sooners now turn attention to their nonconference finale at Tulsa in Week 3 before opening Big 12 play in Week 4 at conference newcomer Cincinnati. SMU, meanwhile, returns home to face Prairie View A&M in Week 3 before facing another Big 12 opponent -- rival TCU -- on the road in Week 4.
