Oklahoma Looks to Continue Winning Streak Against Kansas

Oct 9, 2001

Following consecutive wins over top 10 teams, Oklahoma looks to run its winning streak to 19 games when it faces Kansas on Saturday.

The No. 3 Sooners (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) have extended the nation's longest winning to 18 games with impressive wins in the last two weeks. A 38-37 win over then-No. 9 Kansas State on Sept. 29 was followed by Saturday's 14-3 triumph over then-No. 5 Texas.

The winning streak is the Sooners' best since a string of 20 straight between 1986 and 1987.

Though the Sooners look ready to defend their national championship, they enter Memorial Stadium with a question mark at a key position.

Quarterback Nate Hybl was knocked out of Saturday's game with an injured left side, and backup Jason White made the most of his opportunity to shine.

White, a sophomore with little experience, finished 16-of-23 for 108 yards. A better runner than Hybl, White complied with Oklahoma tradition, running the option to near perfection. He rushed 12 times for a team-high 38 yards.

"After all, it is Oklahoma," coach Bob Stoops said. "We haven't totally abandoned our heritage."

Hybl said he felt better during practice Tuesday, and Stoops said Hybl will be the starter Saturday.

"He's fine. He's a little sore," Stoops said.

However, as the Sooners march into Kansas, they will look to get better production from running back Quentin Griffin. Griffin, a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season in which he accounted for 1,189 all-purpose yards (783 rush, 406 receiving), gained just 123 yards combined on the ground and through the air in the Sooners' last two games.

The Oklahoma defense seems to be back on track after allowing 37 points against Kansas State. The unit held the Longhorns 42 points below their season average, intercepted quarterback Chris Simms four times - including three straight passes during the fourth quarter - and had a season-best five sacks.

Safety Roy Williams, the leader of that unit, garnered a share of Big 12 defensive player of the week honors. Williams helped clinch the win with a flying hit on a blitz that allowed teammate Teddy Lehman to make a 2-yard interception return for a TD.

Williams also intercepted a pass, broke up two others and helped limit Texas to 255 total yards.

Williams and the Sooners are up against a Kansas team (2-2, 1-1) coming off an inspiring win over Texas Tech.

Trailing by 11 points with 4:11 to play, the Jayhawks tied the game at 24 to end regulation. Freshman Johnny Beck completed the comeback with a field goal in the second overtime for a 34-31 victory Saturday.

"They have looked 1-3 in the mouth and it would have been pretty bad," coach Terry Allen said. "But now we are 2-2 and get to play the team that should be ranked No. 1 in the country. We want to keep playing on every down, that is what we preached."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Looks to Continue Winning Streak Against Kansas

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