Sooner Magic returns in a Bedlam victory

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Published: November 30, 2008

STILLWATER — Early in the third quarter, Oklahoma State had the visitors reeling.

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Following Dez Bryant’s shoelace touchdown catch, the Cowboys trimmed their deficit to 21-19 and sent the offense back on the field to attempt a two-point conversion.

But that’s when Sooner Magic took over the third quarter.

On the two-point try, quarterback Zac Robinson fumbled to Oklahoma defensive end Frank Alexander, who raced unscathed to the other end of the field to give the Sooners two points instead.

During the first, second and fourth quarters Saturday night, OU outplayed the Cowboys on the way to a 61-41 victory to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 and national championships.

But during the third quarter when the Cowboys could’ve taken control of the game, Sooner Magic prevented them from doing so.

"I’ve heard about (Sooner Magic),” quarterback Sam Bradford said. "I guess you could say we had a little of that tonight.”

None more so than on OU’s ensuing possession following the Bryant score.

After two unsuccessful plays, the Sooners faced third-and-eight. Bradford’s third-down pass grazed through the hands of receiver Manny Johnson.

But instead of falling to the turf to force a punt, the ball landed in tight end Jermaine Gresham’s arms in stride behind the OSU secondary.

He raced untouched for a 73-yard touchdown to put OU up 30-19.

"It was basically perfect, very fortunate,” said Gresham, who finished with

nine catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns. "I’ll take anything I can get. I’m glad I got it.”

After OSU countered with another quick touchdown, the Sooners drove all the way inside the Cowboy 1-yard line.

Facing fourth-and-goal, the Sooners decided to go for it.

Bradford, who injured his left thumb during the game, dropped the snap while trying a handoff.

But before OSU’s defensive line could snatch the ball, Bradford picked it up and dove through defenders across the goal line, giving the Sooners an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

"Sometimes you need a little luck to win,” Bradford said. "There were a couple plays where luck was on our side.”

"But I still think we played really well tonight.”