Flowers Carries Sooners to Victory

Thursday night brought more of the same from the Oklahoma football team. There was another victory over Iowa State and another aerial display from Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield and record-setting wide receiver Dede Westbrook.

However, OU's 34-24 victory before 50,662 fans at Jack Trice Stadium also bared witness to something for the first time.

After more than 2? seasons as the Sooners' fullback, Dimitri Flowers finally had his first official rushing attempt. Flowers did so well, he wound up carrying the ball 22 times for 115 yards (5.2 per carry). It was the fifth 100-yard rushing performance by an OU back this season. Flowers also had four catches for 34 yards and a 17-yard touchdown reception.

The remnants of Flowers' 22-carry, 115-yard effort displayed on his uniform late in the game.

"I'm exhausted, but every snap was worth it," a smiling Flowers said afterward. "It meant a lot that the coaches trusted me and put me in that type of situation, but I knew I couldn't let my team down and tried to do the best I could every snap. It was a blast. It was just one of those things I dream of."

As a result, one of college football's most lopsided series in history continues to flow in the same direction:

OU has now beaten the Cyclones 23 straight times in Ames.
Sooners coach Bob Stoops is 12-0 all-time against them, winning each time by double-digits.
OU has won 18 straight against ISU, the longest active streak against an opponent.
The last time the Sooners lost to the Cyclones was in 1990 in Norman and the last time OU lost in Ames was in 1960.
The Sooners lead the all-time series 74-5-2 (.926) and are 35-2-1 (.934) in Ames.
In its last 47 meetings, OU is 45-1-1 (.968) against ISU.

Thursday marked the 13th straight Big 12 victory for the 12th-ranked Sooners (7-2 overalll, 6-0 conference), who have won six straight since starting the season 1-2 in non-conference play with losses to Houston and Ohio State.

With Flowers pounding out tough yardage late in the game (his longest carry all night was 13 yards), OU possessed the ball nearly 14 more minutes than the Cyclones.

Fact is, Flowers repeatedly has excelled against the Cyclones throughout his humbling career.

Entering Thursday night's nationally televised contest on ESPN, Flowers had just 14 career rushing yards, which came two years ago on an option pitch past the line of scrimmage from former quarterback Trevor Knight. That game also was played in Ames.

On the Sooners' first play from scrimmage against ISU in Norman last season, Flowers hauled in a 75-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield on a flea-flicker play, during which a wide-open Flowers caught the ball near midfield and sprinted untouched into the end zone.

Flowers came into Thursday's game with 99 all-purpose yards this season, but amassed a career-high 149 yards against the Cyclones.

"You love it for a guy like that. He's not always in the spotlight and does a lot of the dirty work that doesn't always get noticed."
? Bob Stoops

With starting running backs Samaje Perine (injury) and Joe Mixon (one-game team suspension) both out, Flowers became his team's primary ball carrier, a role he hasn't played since his days at Churchill High School in San Antonio.

Afterward, Stoops pushed Flowers for the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor.

"He kind of did everything," Mayfield said of Flowers. "He's a pure athlete, a special talent and we were able to utilize his talents. You love it for a guy like that. He's not always in the spotlight and does a lot of the dirty work that doesn't always get noticed, kind of like an offensive lineman. It was good see him in the spotlight and enjoy himself."

Mayfield, who entered as the nation's leader in passing efficiency, completed 25-of-34 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns. In the first half alone, he was 15-of-21 for 244 yards and four TDs. "Those guys are just so talented," Mayfield said of his receivers. "Throw the ball up for them and let them run under it after that."

A redshirt junior, Mayfield has now thrown a touchdown pass in 22 straight games, the second-longest active streak in the FBS to Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech and Clemson's Deshaun Watson, both with 24. Mayfield also has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine straight games, tied with Toledo's Logan Woodside for the longest active streak in the FBS.

"Bake is one helluva a player," Flowers said. "He does something special all the time."

Westbrook continues to sizzle in conference play and finished with seven receptions for 131 yards (18.7 per catch) and one touchdown. His six straight games with at least 100 yards receiving and at least one score is the longest active streak in the FBS. His six straight 100-yard receiving games is the longest such single-season streak in program history and is tied for the second longest active streak in the FBS.

Westbrook had 233 all-purpose yards on 10 touches, which included a career-long 63-yard kickoff return early in the second quarter. (His 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Kansas last week was nullified by penalty.) His 65-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter gave the Sooners the lead for good at 21-17. It was his 12th TD catch in six games and extended his school-record of touchdown plays of 40-plus yards to nine this year. No other OU player in history has more than five in one season.

The Sooners defense surrendered 17 points and 194 total yards in the first half, but held the Cyclones to just 96 yards and seven points after intermission. ISU's 160 yards passing marked the third-lowest total against OU this season.

Next up, the Sooners host the No. 17/13 Baylor Bears (6-1, 3-1) on Nov. 12 at either 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. OU has dominated that series as well, 22-3.

Dede Westbrook thanks the OU fans in attendance after Thursday night's game at Iowa State.

Players Mentioned

Dimitri Flowers

Trevor Knight

Baker Mayfield

Joe Mixon

Samaje Perine

Dede Westbrook

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics