SOONERS ROLL TIDE 45-7

Alabama fans may want to put this game out of their memories because this is the type of game that will cause any sane fan nightmares. No one, not even the Oklahoma Sooners themselves could have envisioned a Sooner blowout. The respect that both fan bases share with each other is almost like akin to brothers. At times you love them, but when you compete against them they become your enemy for the duration of that competition.

This game would turn into one of those ugly fights you usually had with your older brother. You know the one where your older brother uses you as a punching bag. The best part of that fight is that at least at the very beginning your chances of getting the best of him is better than when the fist start actually flying.

In the beginning of this Alabama-Oklahoma contest it looked as if both sides would do more pushing and shoving than actually connecting with those right hooks. In fact it was more in line with a war of words early on. You know those, "I'm gonna kick your ass" threats with no real action.

For the first 14:32 seconds neither team was able to land a scoring blow as both teams had trouble moving the ball. Oklahoma would land the first big blow when RB Patrick Collins would find a huge whole on the right side of the Bama defense and race 42 yards to paydirt to give OU the early 7-0 lead and the only score of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter Alabama would give the Sooner offense a gift as Jay Barker would be intercepted by Darren Kilpatrick and give the ball to the Sooners at the Bama 34. Bama's defense though would win this battle as they would deflect a possible knockout punch by OU and force OU to settle for a R.D Lasher 43 yard field goal. Bama now needed to respond offensively and show the OU defense that they could move the ball on them. A holding call though would negate a penetration into the Sooner territory though and force Bama to once again punt the ball. After a return punt by OU, the Sooner defense would strip RB Chris Anderson of the ball at the Bama 16 and it would be scooped up by Frank Blevins setting OU up at the Tides 13.

Four playes later, Jamelle Holieway would race in from 8 yards out to put OU now on top 17-0. That score would turn into a 24-0 Sooner lead just minutes afterward as Barker again was intercepted by David Vickers who would return it back to the Bama 21. Patrick Collins 7 yard run 2 plays later would almost shut out any hope that Bama had of a possible comeback.

Alabama knowing that if they had any hope at all would have to come out and stop the Sooners on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter. After the Sooners had moved the ball down inside the 40 of Bama they would get a break as Lydell Carr would be stripped of the ball and the Bama defense would come up with it to kill the Sooner drive. Barker though again would throw a errant pass that the Sooners would pick once again and take over at the Bama 30.

The Sooners would make the Tide pay for the mistake as Anthony Stafford would race in later from 5 yards out to give OU the 31-0 lead. "I played like crap and this game was lost due to my inability to find my own receivers" stated Barker. Actually Jay, not to debate you but I think the inability to move the ball either on the ground or through the air was the problem. Lets not forget the inability of your offensive line being able to protect you" Oklahoma's defense swarmed and dominated the Bama offense as the Sooner D held the Bama offense to only 101 total yards. Oklahoma recorded 8 sacks, 3 by Troy Johnson, and 5 interceptions off Barker.

Sooner coach Barry Switzer never once called for a pass play and rushed for 361 yards on the ground, led by Patrick Collins 99 yards on 11 carries. Leading 31-0 entering the 4th quarter Switzer ordered his troops to just try to kill clock, but how do you keep from scoring when the opposing QB basically hands your defense a pick 6 late as Barker did. The last score was due to yet another Barker interception and OU only had to go 26 yards with still 9+ minutes to go.

Bama would score with only 1:28 left as they converted a Sooner fumble into a touchdown as they only had to go 7 yards to get it. "Hey at least we scored" stated HC Gene Stallings and we can now build on that".

In the end this wasn't even a fair fight, the Tide kept leaving themselves open for those bruising punches and like in any fight, if you get hit hard and often eventually that knockout blow is going to put your lights out. This was the case in this game, Jim called a great game, but everything and I do mean everything went OU's way and very little things went Bama's way.

OU now heads to Miami and will hope that the defense once again rises to the occasion, while Bama now prepares to regroup at home vs. USC. --submitted by Bill Vogt--