Texas A&M Up Next for Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. -- It doesn't get much easier for No. 2 Oklahoma.

After squeaking by No. 19 Oklahoma State on the road, the Sooners' quest for Big 12 and national titles next takes them to 22nd-ranked Texas A&M.

"It is another big game and an important game in the Big 12," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said. "We recognize how important it was to come in here and win."

The Sooners narrowly escaped another season-spoiling upset by Oklahoma State Saturday 38-35 after Cowboys' freshman Jason Ricks pushed a 49-yard field goal attempt wide left with 11 seconds remaining.

Sooner Gameday Central: Texas A&M

Adrian Peterson rushed for 249 yards and a touchdown in the Sooners' second straight victory over their pesky instate rivals, whose Bedlam wins in 2001 and 2002 cost Oklahoma chances at national titles.

"When you have to run through 13 games in a season, not everything is going to be easy," Stoops said. "You are going to have to win some close ones."

The win over a quality team on the road -- the Cowboys moved up a space in The AP Top 25 Sunday -- should help the Sooners Bowl Championship Series rating.

So should Miami's 31-28 loss to North Carolina Saturday. The Hurricanes had been No. 3, just behind Oklahoma in the BCS ratings last week.

Now the Sooners (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) travel to College Station, Texas, where then-No. 1 Oklahoma lost to the Aggies 30-26 in 2002. Texas A&M will be steaming after losing to Baylor 35-34 in overtime Saturday.

The loss dropped the Aggies into second place in the Big 12 South, one game behind Oklahoma, and they'll be looking for a big game from quarterback Reggie McNeal to tie the Sooners in the standings.

Cowboys' quarterback Donovan Woods exposed the Sooners secondary with four deep balls in the second half Saturday. Oklahoma State receivers beat Sooners' defensive backs for completions of 50, 46, 39 and 32 yards.

On the 39-yarder, Prentiss Elliott came back for an underthrown ball while cornerback Eric Bassey kept going. Elliott grabbed the ball and took two steps into the end zone to pull the Cowboys to 28-21.

In the fourth quarter, Woods' brother D'Juan Woods beat Bassey, Brodney Pool and Donte Nicholson down the middle for a 50-yard pass that set up Vernand Morency's 4-yard TD for 38-35.

On Oklahoma State's last possession, Elliot again beat the Sooners secondary deep but Donovan Woods overthrew him slightly at the Oklahoma 6 with less than two minutes to play.

The Sooners say they aren't too worried about it, even though Kansas' Adam Barmann threw a 78-yard TD pass against Oklahoma the week before.

"Sometimes you get in these games, you get a little rattled, your confidence starts to go and things snowball on you," co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Bo Pelini said.

"I'm not panicked about it," Pelini said. "I've not lost confidence in anybody that plays back there."

Oklahoma is also having trouble on special teams.

Punter Blake Ferguson dropped his second snap in as many games Saturday, this one recovered in the end zone for an Oklahoma State touchdown.

Also, Mark Clayton, making his first start as punt returner, fumbled a bouncing punt in the second quarter that the Cowboys recovered at the Sooners 14 to set up a touchdown.

"I didn't touch that ball," Clayton said. "But anyway, it happens. You just have to put it behind you, come back and make a play for the team."

Clayton did just that, returning Cole Farden's punt 50 yards for a third-quarter touchdown that put the Sooners up 28-14.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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