Sept. 12, 2009
Final Stats
Norman, OK --- First the rain came. Then the Sooners came, and they showed why they were the national FBS runner-ups last year. Idaho State held on two of Oklahoma's first three drives, but the Sooners scored on a three-yard fumble recovery, and then scored on five straight possessions stretching from the end of the first quarter until the third as they blitzed Idaho State 64-0 in front of 84,749 fans at a rain-soaked Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The 64 points were the 6th-most points allowed in the modern era and the 8th-most in school history dating back to 1902, and the 64-point margin of defeat was second in the modern era and fourth all-time. The 64 points allowed were the most since ISU lost to Montana 73-23 in 1999.
Idaho State struggled offensively for the second straight game against a fast, high-flying defense. Idaho State gained -2 yards in the first half after gaining zero in the first against Arizona State last week, and it was even worse on the ground as ISU was held to -15 yards on the ground for the first half, and -22 overall. The Bengals
ISU's defense again started out strong, forcing stopping Oklahoma on a great goal line stand to open the game, as OU failed to score after having first and goal at the ISU 2 with A.J. Storms hitting Landry Jones at the 1 on fourth down. However, ISU couldn't move the ball at all, and OU scored on a 1-play drive on a short field with Jones hitting Ryan Broyles for the first of their three hookups.
ISU again stopped the Sooners and forced a punt, but Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy sacked Kyle Blum, forcing a fumble at the three-yard line, which was scooped up by Frank Alexander to make it 14-0. From there it was a flood gate for the Sooners as Jones hit Broyles twice more, including a 51-yarder and a highlight reel 11-yarder where he was blanketed by Dustin Tew but just got a foot inbounds.
OU tacked on two more scores before the half on short runs by Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray, and right after halftime they added another score on another Murray run, this from nine yards out.
The Bengal offense finally got on track in the third when Blum hit Isaiah Burel for a pair of passes to cross midfield for the first time. Blum was slated to play the second half with Russel Hill starting and playing the first half, but Hill hurt his hand during the week and with the downpour, John Zamberlin opted not to play him, although he dressed. Blum finished 11-of-26 form 66 yards without an interception, and Burel had four catches for 39 yards before leaving on a stretcher with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. X-rays on his leg were negative however, and he is officially day-to-day.
ISU also had a fourth down stop in the third quarter when freshman Phillip Pleasant intercepted Jones, and Jarrid Nash sacked Jones for a fumble, with George Ortiz recovering. However, ISU had some special teams breakdowns in the second half. Jon Vanderwielen had a punt blocked after a bad snap, and another bad snap forced a 13-yard loss. OU also returned a punt for the touchdown but that was called back on a penalty.
The Sooners scored on two more runs in the fourth and on a safety when they stopped Clint Knickrehm in the end zone.
The Bengals now open conference play on September 19 when they travel to Ogden to take on Weber State at 6:07 pm in a game broadcast nationally on Altitude.
NOTES: Prior to the game, the University of Oklahoma Marching Band performed ISU's fight song "Growl Bengals Growl" while facing the ISU fan section ... When ISU held OU on 4th-and-goal, it was the first such stop since September 15, 2007 when ISU forced a fumble on 1st-and-goal at Oregon State ... Idaho State wore their new white pants for the game ... ISU lost all five official reviews in the first half.
