Sooners Win All Three Phases, Beat Cyclones

Saturday, October 29

Ames, Iowa

11 AM CT

University of Oklahoma

5-3 , 2-3

Iowa State

3-5 , 0-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Oklahoma

Iowa State

Photo by: Ty Russell

Sooners Win All Three Phases, Beat Cyclones

October 29, 2022 | Football

Box Score Final Stats Notes Photo Gallery

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Eric Gray rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown, the Oklahoma defense posted three interceptions and the Sooners defeated Iowa State 27-13 on Saturday.

A pick by linebacker Danny Stutsman came with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter and set up a 4-yard scoring run by Gray to seal the game for Oklahoma (5-3, 2-3 Big 12).

It was the fifth straight loss for Iowa State (3-5, 0-5). The previous four defeats had been by a total of 14 points.

"We capitalized situationally," Sooners coach Brent Venables said. "Our kicking game, again, was a real weapon for us."

Oklahoma used a little trickery to get its first touchdown.

The Sooners were lined up for a 19-yard field goal late in the first quarter, but holder Michael Turk flipped the ball to kicker Zach Schmit as he ran past. Schmit's 2-yard touchdown reception put Oklahoma up 10-3 early in the second quarter.

"Everything fell into place," Schmit said. "I walked in. It was like the Red Sea parting. The blockers did a great job. The scheme was amazing."

Schmit hit two field goals and an extra point before halftime, accounting for all of the Sooners' first 13 points.

"It doesn't feel like a gamble," Venables said of the fake field goal. "Obviously, these are very calculated decisions, based on lots of film study."

Oklahoma's second touchdown was more traditional, a 41-yard pass from Dillon Gabriel to Jalil Farooq in the third quarter.

Iowa State answered with a 12 play, 53-yard touchdown drive — converting two fourth-and-long situations — with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter, trimming the margin to 20-13.

The Cyclones' next two possessions ended with interceptions, including Stutsman's pick. Hunter Dekkers finished 37-for-57 passing for 312 yards and a touchdown to go along with the three picks.

Iowa State averaged just 2.4 yards on 27 rushing attempts.

"Right now, it is not where we need it to be," Cyclone coach Matt Campbell said of the running game. "And it needs to be there for us to be successful offensively."

Oklahoma's Gray averaged 5.1 yards on 20 carries.

"He's been incredibly tough all year," Venables said. "He's the same guy every single day, every single play. Loves his teammates. Very selfless guy."