Bedlam Rivals a Combined 13-1

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma did its part to make sure its annual clash with Oklahoma State has the customary drama. So did the Cowboys.

The second-ranked Sooners routed Kansas 41-10 and No. 20 Oklahoma State overcame Missouri 20-17 to ensure that both teams would be ranked in their instate rivalry game that will help decide the Big 12 South.

Oklahoma State has won two of its last three against Oklahoma, including a 38-28 thrashing of the then-No. 8 Sooners two years ago in Stillwater and a 16-13 upset of then-No. 4 Oklahoma in 2001.

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"Our guys realize who we play this week," Oklahoma State coach Les Miles said. "I'm sure we'll give them all we have to give."

Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) rode the passing of Heisman winner Jason White for an easy victory over a Kansas team intent on stopping Adrian Peterson's rushing.

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White threw touchdown passes of 69, 61, 41 and eight yards and the Sooners defense used three Kansas turnovers for touchdowns to turn a close game into a rout.

"We started off slow again and that is something we need to work on," White said. "It's not the opponent. It's just been us the last three or four games."

Kansas rushed its safeties to the line of scrimmage on nearly every play to contain Peterson, who was held to just 23 yards on 11 carries in the first three quarters.

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That allowed White to throw over the top of the defense, hitting Mark Clayton, Travis Wilson and Brandon Jones all in stride for touchdowns.

"Whatever they give you is what you've got to take," White said. "They were giving us the pass today, and we took advantage."

With the Jayhawks defense worn down, Peterson finally got his yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter, rushing for 103 yards on 11 carries in the period and finishing the game with 126 yards on 22 carries.

Peterson had a similar performance in the Sooners' victory 31-21 over Kansas State a week earlier. He was held to 26 yards in the first half against the Wildcats but finished with 104.

"I knew if we just kept running the ball, then something would happen," Peterson said.

Peterson now has 1,027 yards for the season, tying him with Emmitt Smith and Marshall Faulk as the quickest freshmen to rush for 1,000 yards in NCAA history.

While Peterson has been slowed, White has regained the form that won him the Heisman Trophy last season.

The senior has thrown for 645 yards and eight touchdowns in his last two games with only one interception. That followed a 113-yard, two-interception and no-touchdown performance in Oklahoma's win over Texas.

"He's starting to get that rhythm and starting to get hot at the right time of the year," Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. "We're hoping that carries over this week and beyond."

Winning wasn't as easy for Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-1).

The Cowboys rallied from a 17-0 deficit to beat Missouri on Jason Ricks' 28-yard field goal with 55 seconds to play. Vernand Morency rushed for 173 yards on 31 carries as Oklahoma State rebounded from their 36-20 loss a week earlier to No. 16 Texas A&M.

"They are going to be excited and we are going to be excited," White said. "So it's just going to be a great game."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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