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Though there were some dead spots, first and foremost the Oklahoma football team kept two significant streaks alive with Saturday's 45-20 victory at Kansas.

The triumph gave the No. 6/4-ranked Sooners their 22nd consecutive true road victory, which represents the second-longest such streak in the post-World War II era, trailing only OU's 25-game road winning streak from 1953-58 under coach Bud Wilkinson.

The Sooners' last true road loss happened 1,827 days ago (Oct. 4, 2014, on a 37-33 setback at TCU).

"It's always tough to beat people on the road; that's why we take so much pride in it," OU third-year head coach Lincoln Riley said afterward. "Winning, you have to have a healthy respect for it."

"We've got to continue to be able to separate. We've got to do better."
- Lincoln Riley

The Sooners (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big 12) also extended their winning streak to 15 straight against the Jayhawks (2-4, 0-3), their longest active winning streak against an opponent. OU has outscored the Jayhawks 648-206 in those contests (an average score of 43-14) and has outgained them by an average of 499-269 yards.

Although every one of those 15 straight wins over KU has been by at least 15 points, the Sooners haven't always succeeded in putting away Kansas with strong finishes.

"We've got to continue to be able to separate," Riley said. "We've got to do better."

Riley was highly critical of his own play calling, particularly late in the second quarter when his team had a first-and-goal at the 7-yard line and two plays later faced a third-and-goal from its own 48-yard line after a sack and a failed reverse to CeeDee Lamb that resulted in a 20-yard loss.

As Riley was sharing specifics of his play selection, a toilet happened to flush loudly in the back of the makeshift interview room.

"A lot of those today," Riley deadpanned, drawing laughter from reporters. "That's what they thought of my play calling."

In the first and fourth quarters on Saturday, OU's defense surrendered a combined 262 yards on 32 plays (8.2-yard average). In between, the Sooners allowed just 98 total yards on 28 plays (3.5-yard average) in the second and third periods.

The game marked the first time this season OU has allowed an opponent to score or to convert a third down in the first quarter.

But after falling behind 7-0 – marking their only deficit of the season – the Sooners ran off 42 straight points.

Riley refused to blame his team's slow start on the morning kickoff time or the 30-minute pre-game weather delay. "It was a strange one even before the opening kickoff," Riley admitted of the uncertainty as to when the game might start.

Nor did Riley believe his team was looking ahead to next Saturday's Red River Showdown against No. 11/12 Texas at 11 a.m. inside Cotton Bowl Stadium.

"I've never really got that feeling," Riley said, "but I know that's a hot topic on the outside."

"Give our guys credit. They get everybody's best every single week. We get that and that's how we like it."

OU graduate transfer and Heisman Trophy contender Jalen Hurts completed 16 of 24 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two TDs while rushing for 56 yards.

"He overcame his coaching a little bit, too," Riley said of Hurts' performance. "I put him in some tough situations."

Asked about his upcoming debut in the OU-Texas game, Hurts said, "I played in the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn). I've played in big games before. I think I'll be all right."

The Sooners were derailed by eight penalties for 89 yards against the Jayhawks. One flag equated to an 83-yard penalty that wiped out Lamb's punt return for a touchdown. "Penalties hurt and they were on huge plays," Riley said. "The penalties were really destructive early, no doubt."

Health continues to wreak havoc on the OU offensive line, which has started five different combinations through five games, and yet the Sooners still lead the nation in yards per play and averaged 8.3 yards against the Jayhawks.

"Not ideal," Riley said of playing musical chairs on the O-line due to injuries. "But again, that's something (that) if you can get through it, it pays dividends on the back end. And so far we've been able to get through it, we've been able to make it work. Give our guys credit. They get everybody's best every single week. Every defensive team in the country circles our team and our offense. We get that and that's how we like it."

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Jalen Hurts

CeeDee Lamb

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