Sooners gamble twice on 4th down

BY DAVID UBBEN, Staff Writer, dubben@opubco.com Comment on this article

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He gambled both times.

Five minutes into the final period, Chris Brown was stuffed for no gain at midfield, turning the ball over on downs.

Down 16-13 with 4:27 to play at their own 39-yard line, the Sooners called timeout and planned to run another run play, but changed the play to a sneak, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.

With no Texas defenders clogging the middle of the line, quarterback Landry Jones churned his legs toward the right side of center Ben Habern and gained four yards, extending the drive for the Sooners.

But two plays after converting the fourth down, Jones' pass over the middle of the field was intercepted by Texas safety Earl Thomas, whose play assured the Sooners wouldn't get another chance to score.

"I don't know if Landry missed it or didn't see the guy," Wilson said. "But Earl made a nice play."