Oklahoma’s 12 best 2012 football moments
This morning, I released the 12 worst moments. As promised, here are the 12 best moments.
1. CLAY’S SHINING MOMENT (NOV. 24 VS. OKLAHOMA STATE, 51-48 WIN)
Game clock: Second overtime period
What happened: Oklahoma State kicked a field goal to end its overtime offensive possession and went up 48-45. On the second play of the Sooners’ possession, Jones handed the ball to junior Brennan Clay, who squirted through the line and ran over OSU safety Daytawion Lowe. Another Cowboy defender got his arms around Clay’s legs, but he escaped and scored the decisive, 18-yard touchdown.
Implications: Clay’s game winning touchdown gave Oklahoma, which played from behind for much of Bedlam, its first lead of the game. For the second week in a row, the Sooners’ offense showed resiliency in the fourth quarter of a shootout and came out on top. The victory avenged an embarrassing, 44-10 loss in 2011 that snapped OU’s eight-year Bedlam winning streak. For Clay, who had struggled through injuries and high expectations through his first two years on campus but always kept a good attitude, the touchdown was his greatest Sooner moment yet.
2. JONES MAKES DECISIVE CALL (NOV. 17 VS. WEST VIRGINIA, 50-49 WIN)
Game clock: 0:27 left in the fourth quarter
What happened: Oklahoma trailed 49-44 with little clock remaining, and called a timeout following Blake Bell’s one-yard loss on third down inside West Virginia’s 5. Jones returned to the game, audibled for Kenny Stills to run a slant — instead of the fade route that was called — and threw a dead-on touchdown pass.
Implications: Jones succeeded where the Belldozer couldn’t, and showed the ability to direct a sharp, game winning drive in a hostile environment. Making the play even more impressive is that Jones called the audible himself; typically, in Oklahoma’s offense, play changes come from the sideline. Jones finished the game completing 38 of 51 passes for 554 yards and six touchdowns. With only 21 seconds on the clock when West Virginia got the ball back, the Mountaineers ran out of magic — and time — and the Sooners escaped Morgantown with a 50-49 win.
3. DEFENSE SECURES BIG 12 TITLE (DEC. 1 AT TCU, 24-17 WIN)
Game clock: 0:31 left in the fourth quarter
What happened: Following a missed field goal that would’ve put OU up by 10 points, TCU quickly advanced to the Sooners’ 12-yard line to threaten their Big 12 title hopes. But a few plays — and a key holding penalty — later, on fourth down, quarterback Trevon Boykin’s pass to Josh Boyce fell incomplete in the end zone, with Tony Jefferson and Julian Wilson defending.
Implications: After two back-to-back weeks of the OU offense coming up with huge, game winning plays late in the fourth quarter, it was the Sooner defense that secured Bob Stoops’ eighth Big 12 championship in Fort Worth, Texas.
4. RED RIVER RECORD (OCT. 13 VS. TEXAS, 63-21 WIN)
Game clock: 4:25 left in the first quarter
What happened: Oklahoma led 6-2 and began a new series backed up at its own 5-yard line. Landry Jones handed off to Damien Williams, who burst through a hole in the line of scrimmage, maneuvered his way through a pack of Longhorn defenders and then — after a bone-crushing downfield block by receiver Kenny Stills — sprinted for a 95-yard touchdown.
Implications: Williams’ touchdown put OU up 13-2 and really got the ball rolling toward a 63-21 rout. The run was the longest in Red River Rivalry history, and Williams finished with 22 carries for 167 yards.
5. SAUNDERS ON SPECIAL TEAMS (NOV. 24 VS. OKLAHOMA STATE, 51-48 WIN)
Game clock: 14:55 left in the fourth quarter
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