Oklahoma Withstands Late Surge To Remain Undefeated
Boone Tillman // Sooner Born • Published: October 19th, 2030
For the first time all season against an FBS opponent, the Ole Miss Rebels surpassed the 25-point threshold. But in the end, it wouldn't matter as the Oklahoma Sooners poured in 44 points to leave the Ole Miss Rebels winless in the SEC after the 44-27 Oklahoma victory.
The Oklahoma Sooners didn't race out to a gargantuan lead to start this game, but despite the fact that they never led by more than 18 points, it felt like the game was never out of hand for the defending National Champs. Oklahoma would score on their first three possessions—two Markelle Nickey passing touchdowns and a field goal—but the Rebels never bowed down to the reigning champs, matching the Sooners' points with 10 of their own.
Still, up 17-10 and driving with under two minutes remaining, it felt inevitable that the Sooners would score one more time before the half, stretch their lead back to 14 points, and dominate in the back half.
Suddenly, 68 yards later Terrence Brooks was dragged down after picking off Nickey—saving a defensive touchdown and ultimately saving four points as Ole Miss would kick the field goal to end the first half trailing 17-13.
Oklahoma came out and scored two more touchdowns, widening the gap to 31-13, but Ole Miss refused to back down. Dom Colon, who was sacked five times in the contest, kept battling, finding Glen Crum on back-to-back possessions to keep inching closer.
But it felt like every time the Rebels gained an inch, the Sooners would take two back, matching each Crum touchdown with one of their own, including a controversial 29-yard heave to Iosefa Topa with zeros on the clock to end the game with a Sooners touchdown, turning the respectable 37-27 score into a more degrading 44-27.
After the game, Coach Leon dodged questions not only about the conflict following the late touchdown, but also the pending NCAA investigation.
•••
Question One - Meg Semental (SEC Network): "Coach Leon, it appeared yourself and Mike Gundy exchanged a few choice words at midfield following the game. Was that in regards to the late touchdown pass from Nickey to Iosefa Topa, the duo's third connection of the game, and if so, can you pull back the curtain on what was said that left Gundy visibly upset in the aftermath?"
Armando Leon: "Difference in philosophies, Meg. He didn't like the touchdown, and he made that known. He had his opportunity to say his piece, as did I. That's all I'm going to say about it. Maybe go ask Mike, he seemed more than willing to run his mouth."
Question Two - James McDavid (OU Daily): "What happened in the fourth quarter that had the Ole Miss Rebels suddenly marching up and down the field on your defense, turning what appeared to be a blowout in the making into a tightly contested contest in the closing minutes?"
Armando Leon: "We simply had too many guys expecting someone else to make the play. When everyone expects someone to do it, usually no one gets it done. Too many guys sat back, content to rest on their laurels with the big lead. Against a better caliber of opponent? We might not escape this one. It's a lesson they have to learn if we want to repeat, because simply allowing your opponent to punch their way back into the contest is how you lose games, not win them."
Question Three - Larry O'Doyle (The Daily Mississippian): "Coach, do you think the pending NCAA investigation played a role in your team looking out of sorts down the stretch? Additionally, how does that affect the preparation for a game, knowing you're fighting a battle on-and-off the field?"
Armando Leon: "How does it feel asking a question that ends the press conference? 'Cause I'm pretty sure that was on the 'prohibited list', there Larry."
•••
Well, in case you couldn't tell, folks, Coach Leon walked out of the Q&A after that last question. And I ain't poking that bear with a ten-mile stick, so we're going to let that one rest.
On to the game, you have to give credit to the Rebels. They came in facing a real 'David vs. Goliath' type of game and held their own. The final score doesn't do the Rebels justice; if a few more bounces went their way we could be talking about a different result.
And that's what scares me this year about Oklahoma. Yes, they've beaten up on some spectacular opponents. But they've also let teams hang around when they shouldn't. At some point, doing that is going to get you knocked in the dirt.
Now the question is, which Oklahoma team shows up across from the Georgia Bulldogs next week?
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Oklahoma | 7 | 10 | 7 | 20 | 44 |
| Ole Miss | 3 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
| Q | Team | Time | Play | Oklahoma | Ole Miss |
| 1st | Oklahoma | 6:47 | Terrance Butcher, 6 Yd Pass From Markelle Nickey | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | Ole Miss | 5:24 | Luis Rojas, 44 Yd FG | 7 | 3 |
| 2nd | Oklahoma | 9:56 | Iosefa Topa, 13 Yd Pass From Markelle Nickey | 14 | 3 |
| 2nd | Ole Miss | 7:50 | Alexander Slayton, 8 Yd Run | 14 | 10 |
| 2nd | Oklahoma | 3:01 | Brian Rowe, 31 Yd FG | 17 | 10 |
| 2nd | Ole Miss | 0:00 | Luis Rojas, 48 Yd FG | 17 | 13 |
| 3rd | Oklahoma | 7:34 | Iosefa Topa, 42 Yd Pass From Markelle Nickey | 24 | 13 |
| 4th | Oklahoma | 8:48 | Brad Thorne, 4 Yd Run | 31 | 13 |
| 4th | Ole Miss | 4:24 | Glen Crum, 5 Yd Pass From Dom Colon | 31 | 20 |
| 4th | Oklahoma | 2:34 | Terrance Butcher, 4 Yd Run | 38 | 20 |
| 4th | Ole Miss | 1:15 | Glen Crum, 10 Yd Pass From Dom Colon | 38 | 27 |
| 4th | Oklahoma | 0:00 | Iosefa Topa, 29 Yd Pass From Markelle Nickey | 44 | 27 |
Oklahoma Ole Miss Passing | Stats Passing | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Markelle Nickey | 28/37, 320 Yds, 4 TD, INT Dom Colon | 19/26, 272 Yds, 2 TD Rushing | Stats Rushing | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Terrance Butcher | 16 Att, 133 Yds, TD Alexander Slayton | 12 Att, 32 Yds, TD Brad Thorne | 14 Att, 54 Yds, TD Dom Colon | 7 Att, -9 Yds Receiving | Stats Receiving | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Iosefa Topa | 8 Rec, 116 Yds, 3 TD George Kaikai | 6 Rec, 121 Yds Brad Thorne | 6 Rec, 61 Yds Glen Crum | 3 Rec, 54 Yds, 2 TD Maurice Lucky | 4 Rec, 78 Yds Alexander Slayton | 3 Rec, 44 Yds Defensive | Stats Defensive | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ LB Tyler Jacques | 7 Tkl, 5 TFL, 4 Sacks MLB Tobias Forrest | 11 Tkl, 3 TFL MLB Gordon Paul | 6 Tkl, 2 TFL DE Tiquan Yusaf | Tkl, TFL, Sack DE Leon Britt | 3 Tkl, TFL, Sack SS Terron Brooks | 9 Tkl, TFL, INT
SEC Week Eight Results
50 #25 LSU (5-2) @ #12 Tennessee (5-1) 48
49 #3 Auburn (7-0) @ Kentucky (3-5) 14
31 Texas (4-4) @ Alabama (6-2) 45
35 Arkansas (3-4) @ #21 Texas A&M (4-2) 36
34 Florida (2-5) @ Mississippi State (1-6) 31
49 #2 Georgia (7-0) @ Vanderbilt (2-4) 28
Notable Week Eight Results
31 #10 Clemson (6-1) @ Virginia Tech (5-2) 3
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