Lofton and defense save the day
Sooner offense is still struggling and must improve if OU is to make a BCS run
Lofton and defense save the day
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By Jake Trotter
Published: October 14, 2007
NORMAN — With the game in doubt in the fourth quarter, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel fumbled a handoff to Jeremy Maclin.
While Daniel and Maclin scrambled to recover the ball, Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton rumbled between them and scooped the fumble before carrying both Tigers into the end zone like sacks of potatoes.
Lofton's powerful touchdown return overcame his teammates' many miscues and preserved OU's national championship aspirations as the fifth-ranked Sooners survived pesky No. 11-ranked Missouri 41-31 on a gusty Saturday night in front of 85,041 at Owen Field.
"The defense came up with some huge plays,” coach Bob Stoops said. "A win against a good team is good.
"But I'm frustrated — there are some areas we've got to be better.”
For the third-straight week, the Sooners struggled to run the ball, finishing with just 118 yards rushing, most coming late in the fourth quarter.
Allen Patrick and DeMarco Murray combined for just 46 yards on the ground, prompting OU to use third-string back Chris Brown exclusively in the fourth quarter. Brown proved more effective than Patrick or Murray by leading OU with 67 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
The Sooners also missed two extra-point attempts and failed on two 2-point conversion attempts.
But the most costly mistakes came from receiver Juaquin Iglesias, whose two fumbles led to two Missouri touchdowns.
"Turnovers change everything,” Stoops said. "They almost lost the game for us.”
Almost.
Thanks to Lofton — who led OU with a career-high 18 tackles and was unavailable for comment after the game because he was getting I.V. treatment due to cramping.
The Sooners, clinging to a 29-24 lead, were struggling to slow down Daniel and Missouri's surging offense in the second half.
But Lofton's return extended the lead to 35-24, effectively putting the Tigers back on their heels.
"They couldn't tackle him,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "He was dragging everyone in.
"I knew he was getting in, so I turned around and started drinking a Gatorade.”
This evening, the first BCS standings come out, and OU's victory over a highly ranked opponent coupled with losses by No. 1 LSU and No. 2 California should position the Sooners within striking distance of the top two spots in the BCS.
But first, OU must win out.
And to do that, the Sooners must alleviate Stoops' frustrations.
"We can't worry about what other teams do,” said OU quarterback Sam Bradford, who outgunned Daniel by completing 20-of-27 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
"All we can worry about is ourselves. If it works out, it works out.”
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Maybe a little excitement and less "robotics" would do the trick? How about not carrying the ball like a loaf of bread?