Sooners leave no doubt in rout of former feared rival from the 80s

By Berry Tramel

Published: September 9, 2007

NORMAN — The scoreboard said Miami and the uniforms looked Miami and for a stretch the visitors even played like Miami.

But this wasn't Miami. And by Saturday's end, the bloodthirsty throng knew it.

By Saturday's end, after the Sooners' 51-13 thrashing at Owen Field, the Oklahoma loyalists who had waited 20 years to dance at a Miami defeat, 20 years to hoot Sebastian the Ibis, 20 years to atone for the anguish of the ‘80s, discovered bedrock truth.

Revenge never is as sweet as it sounds.

But as Sam Bradford kept throwing touchdown passes to Malcolm Kelly and Reggie Smith took a fumble to the house and the Auston English-led defense held Miami to 139 total yards, a more savory emotion took hold at Owen Field.

Limitless possibility. The Sooners look good enough to climb every mountain in 2007.

"We're a team to beat,” said OU safety D.J. Wolfe. "If we keep playing the way we're playing, the sky is the limit.”

If Bradford keeps playing the way he's playing, the sky won't hold the Sooners. Sudden Sam's Miami numbers (19 of 25) were almost as good as his North Texas numbers, which lessens the farce that was the Lean Green game. Bradford now has completed 40 of 48 passes for 568 yards, eight touchdowns and no intercepts.

Bradford is about to become a rock star, but he's not playing the role yet. He could have saluted the exorcism of the Hurricane hex but declined.

"I can't say I felt a lot about that,” Bradford said.

Who did after a 38-point blowout?

The Sooners were fired up to play Miami, but not because of Vinny Testaverde and Alonzo Highsmith. These Sooners cherished a Miami matchup because of Kellen Winslow, Devin Hester and Sean Taylor, 'Cane legends of more recent vintage.

"Here in Oklahoma, it's all about tradition,” said OU guard Duke Robinson. But "we did it more for ourselves.”

You knew this day would be different when you saw the Miami fan walking around with a green T-shirt that said, "Any Given Saturday.” Huh? What in the name of Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis? Time was, Miami's mantra was every given Saturday.

And then Miami didn't even play its best quarterback. Kirby Freeman was given the job in August and stunk Saturday, completing three of nine. Two-year starter Kyle Wright came on and delivered two scoring drives, pulling the ‘Canes within 21-13 before the Sooners spurted away.

Jimmy Johnson never played the wrong QB.

The Sooners gave Miami props, saying the 'Canes were tough and talented.

"It looked easy,” Robinson said. "But when you're down on the field, got your head in the dirt ... it looked easy, but it really wasn't.”

The ensuing onslaught — 30-0 over the final 23 minutes — embarrassed Miami to the point Sooner fans lost their bloodlust.

Sight I never thought I'd see: a beaten and broken Miami football team, trudging off Owen Field, and nary a heckle hurled its way. In fact, a commendable band of Sooner fans lined the ramp and politely applauded the 'Canes, with no sarcasm attached.

It was as if Captain Ahab had speared his great white whale, then bandaged up the big fish and sent him back to sea.

Oh, don't worry. Sooner fans gloried in the trouncing.

"If Boise State loses, my whole life's made,” yelled one fan, who no doubt welcomed this news later Saturday: Washington 24, Boise State 10.

But this game was not about the '80s. This wasn't VH1. This game is about the 21st century and the monster football team Bob Stoops has assembled.

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