No. Oklahoma handed Nebraska one of the worst losses in the history of the program on Saturday with a 49-14 decision at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The 49 runs are the most scored by the Sooners against the Cornhuskers in the 88 games between these two programs.
Nebraska got on the board early with an impressive scripted drive, but the effort turned into a disgrace from there. The Sooners took a 49-7 lead with nine minutes to go in the third quarter and went on to win, while the Cornhuskers didn’t score a single run until three minutes into the penalty time.
Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel played well in his first start against a Power Five opponent in 2022. Gabriel ran for a career-long 61-yard touchdown to kick off the attack, adding 230 yards through the air and two touchdowns. However, the rushed play took over with over 300 yards, 113 of which came from running back Eric Gray, who had two scores on just 11 carries.
Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson threw for 129 yards and a touchdown, while Trey Palmer added 10 catches for 92 yards and a score. However, a porous offensive line allowed the Sooners to get four sacks from Thompson, producing just 2.8 yards per carry before starting Anthony Grant backtracking.
For Oklahoma, an important statement
Oklahoma played well in its first two games against UTEP and Kent State, but the first half against Nebraska was perfect football. The Sooners put in 355 yards at 8.1 yards per game and kept the Cornhuskers at 3.4 yards per game. The defensive line kept Nebraska under water and made Thompson’s life hell.
When Venables took over the program, there was hope that the Sooners could recapture some of the physicality that characterized the older teams. This win over Nebraska may not be as meaningful as it normally would be, but the level of dominance and execution was a marked shift from the 23-16 matchup between these teams last season.
In a season when many of the top national contenders have looked flawed, Oklahoma has an opening statement of its own. The Sooners should go straight into the national conversation after taking out a Big Ten opponent on the road.
For Nebraska, total embarrassment
Any hopes that the end of the Scott Frost era would soon lead to a leap in competence was quickly vanquished against a bitter rival. The drive in the opening script spread the ball around, but after a few quarterback hits, the body language quickly fell away.
The Nebraska defense looked shaken after allowing the long touchdown to Gabriel early in the game and struggling to regain every mojo. The receivers played their quarterback game with little confidence. After taking a hit, Nebraska wobbled.
Oklahoma had never scored more than 48 runs against the Cornhuskers, but the Sooners reached that point early in the third quarter. The 35-point victory margin is the largest since 1990, a 16-game run. It was tragic in Lincoln on every level.
Welcome to the party, Jaren Kanak
In the second quarter, Oklahoma’s leading tackler DaShaun White was ejected on a targeting penalty. Venables placed freshman Jaren Kanak, the only recruit to follow him from Clemson to Norman. Expectations were high for the former four-star, but his long-track performance was off the charts.
Kanak led the Sooners with 10 tackles in less than half a game, and he caused major problems protecting Nebraska. He only got one quarterback rush, but Kanak was close to the ball several times.
Oklahoma was looking for a star to fill its “Cheetah” position at linebacker. White is a serious player, but Kanak is the future on the line.
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