Oklahoma football: No. 13 Sooners rout Texas, 63-21

But the Sooners’ (4-1, 2-1 in Big 12 play) rout Saturday was more reminiscent of blowout Texas wins from the early 2000s — Oklahoma won the national title months after beating Texas, 63-14, in 2000, and played in the championship game three seasons later, when the Sooners beat the Longhorns, 65-13.

“Well it certainly ranks up there with 63-14 and the 65-13; it’s in the same ballpark,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. “Those are pretty special ones and this is definitely right there with them.”

The Sooners came out firing on all cylinders Saturday, when they marched their opening drive down the field and scored on an 8-yard Blake Bell touchdown run. Texas recovered a botched snap and ran the extra-point attempt back for two points — its only scoring play and, really, highlight of the entire first half.

After junior running back Damien Williams burst free for a 95-yard touchdown, which gave OU a 13-2 lead in the first quarter, the rout was on.

The Sooners racked up 407 yards in the first half to Texas’ 65. Oklahoma picked up 17 first downs before halftime and allowed Texas only two — both of which were immediately followed by interceptions of Longhorns quarterback David Ash.

“We don’t want anything to be caught or ran or be scored on us,” said junior cornerback Aaron Colvin. “We take pride in our defense.