NCAA: Oklahoma Sooners pip Nebraska Cornhuskers

Extending their unbeaten run, No 3 Oklahoma narrowly bested Nebraska 23-16 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in NCAA football even though they weren’t at their explosive best. 

After holding just a 7-3 lead at halftime, Spencer Rattler starred for the Sooners with a touchdown pass and ran for another. His team escaped with a narrow victory over the former Big 12 rival. Rattler finished with 214 passing yards, 35 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in the win.

The defense and special teams also came up huge, including a key blocked extra point that helped change momentum.

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The clubs rewarded their nostalgic supporters with a competitive game to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “Game of the Century” – No. 1 Nebraska’s 35-31 triumph over No. 2 Oklahoma in 1971.

The Cornhuskers were held back in the road struggle by two missed field goals by Connor Culp, as well as eight team penalties. Martinez did his bit, keeping his team close with his arm and legs.

In the first meeting between the former conference rivals since 2010, Nebraska got the ball trailing by a touchdown with 57 seconds remaining and no timeouts. The Cornhuskers could not manage a first down.

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Eric Gray ran for 84 yards on 15 carries and Kennedy Brooks added 75 yards on 14 attempts for the Sooners (3-0).

Adrian Martinez passed for 289 yards and a touchdown for Nebraska (2-2), which was seeking its first win over a ranked team since 2015.

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In other matches, In his first career start, Zach Calzada passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns. The win extends A&M’s winning run to 11 games and gives the Aggies their first 3-0 start since the 2016 season, when they started with six straight wins.

When Haynes King was hurt on A&M’s second possession last weekend against Colorado, Calzada was forced into the starting role. Calzada will lead the offence when King undergoes surgery this week to mend a fractured right leg.