Oklahoma’s 12 worst 2012 football moments
Here are the Sooners’ 12 worst moments; this afternoon, I’ll release the best 12 moments.
1. JONES DROPS THE BALL (SEPT. 22 VS. KANSAS STATE, 24-19 LOSS)
Game clock: 12:28 left in the 2nd quarter
What happened: On third down — with OU at its own 13-yard line — senior quarterback Landry Jones rolled to his right instead of stepping up in the pocket. Kansas State linebacker Justin Tuggle caught Jones from behind, popped the ball loose, and Jarell Childs recovered it in the end zone to give KSU a 7-3 lead.
Implications: In a close game against a good team, mistakes like this one will always haunt the losing team. Oklahoma would retake the lead in the third quarter, but ended up losing 24-19. The loss ended up costing Oklahoma the Big 12’s automatic BCS berth, which went to the Wildcats.
2. TE’O DIVES FOR DEVASTATING PICK (OCT. 27, VS. NOTRE DAME, 30-13 LOSS)
Game clock: 4:34 left in the 4th quarter
What happened: With Notre Dame leading 20-13, Jones’ first-down pass bounced out of Jalen Saunders’ arms and was picked off by a diving Manti Te’o. The play is controversial because some believe Irish linebacker Dan Fox, who defended Saunders, was guilty of pass interference. Many folks are also unconvinced that Te’o made a clean interception.
Implications: Notre Dame added a field goal on its ensuing drive, and ultimately scored another touchdown to wrap up a 30-13 victory in Norman and preserve its undefeated season. The interception might’ve been exactly the moment Te’o needed to establish himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.
3. GOLSON FINDS BROWN FOR 50 YARDS (OCT. 27, VS. NOTRE DAME, 30-13 LOSS)
Game clock: 8:27 left in the 4th quarter
What happened: Oklahoma had just tied the game at 13. Sooner fans were fired up and 100 percent back into the game. But on second-and-2 at the Irish’s own 35-yard line, quarterback Everett Golson found a wide-open Chris Brown deep down field; the successful post route picked up 50 yards to the OU 15-yard line.
Implications: The play sucked the energy right back out of OU’s stadium; five plays later, Notre Dame scored a touchdown to retake the lead, and went on to win 30-13.
4. JONES’ COSTLY THIRD-QUARTER PICK (SEPT. 22 VS. KANSAS STATE, 24-19 LOSS)
Game clock: 1:29 left in the 3rd quarter
What happened: The Sooners scored to take a 13-10 lead, then forced a Kansas State punt. But on a second-and-4 play from the Sooners’ own 22-yard line, Jones faked a handoff and, under fast pressure from a KSU defender, made a poor decision to throw off his back foot, over Kenny Stills’ head and into the arms of Kansas State’s Ty Zimmerman.
Implications: KSU scored seven plays later to retake the lead for good.
5. BELLDOZER BREAKS DOWN (SEPT. 22 VS. KANSAS STATE, 24-19 LOSS)
Game clock: 9:35 left in the second quarter
What happened: With Oklahoma trailing 7-3, Damien Williams rushed to the KSU 1-yard line to bring on the Belldozer. KSU called a timeout, and when Bell returned, he didn’t keep his eye on the snap and fumbled it, resulting in a costly turnover.
Implications: K-State took the ensuing possession and turned it into a field goal, increasing its lead to 10-3.
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