Sooners Top Temple 51-3 in Opener

Friday, August 30

Norman

6 p.m. CT

University of Oklahoma

1-0 , 0-0

Temple

0-1 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Temple

Oklahoma

August 30, 2024 | Football

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NORMAN (AP) — Jackson Arnold threw four touchdown passes — three to newcomer Deion Burks — and No. 16 Oklahoma routed Temple 51-3 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Oklahoma forced six turnovers and held Temple to 197 yards in its first game as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Sooners joined the league this summer after a long run in the Big 12.

Arnold, a sophomore, completed 17 of 25 passes for 141 yards in his first career victory as a starting quarterback for the Sooners. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables noted that four of the eight incomplete passes were drops.

"We thought Jackson played really efficiently," Venables said.

Burks, a transfer from Purdue, never caught more than two touchdown passes in a game for the Boilermakers. He had three scores at halftime Friday and finished with six catches for 36 yards. He joined Ryan Broyles (2009), Mark Bradley (2004), Mark Clayton (2003) and Jack Lockett (1950) as the only Sooners to catch three touchdown passes in a half. He also became the first Oklahoma player to register three touchdown receptions in a season opener.

"It was great out there, honestly, tonight," Burks said. "I feel like I left a couple plays out there that I wish I probably could have got on or me and Jackson could have connected on. But man, we got a great team win."

The defense had six sacks and nine tackles for loss. Co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley got the game ball in his debut.

"I loved how aggressive and confident our guys were moving around, flying to the ball and being aggressive and knocking the ball loose," Venables said. "Fantastic job by the defense."

Freshman Taylor Tatum ran for 66 yards and a touchdown on just four carries for the Sooners, including a 35-yard burst that showed off some of his immense potential.

The Sooners led 34-0 at the half. They forced four turnovers and held the Owls to 80 yards before the break.

Oklahoma's Jaren Kanak returned a fumbled punt return 21 yards for a touchdown to put the Sooners up 44-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Forrest Brock passed for 128 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start for Temple.

"What I saw Forrest do for us in practice, for whatever reason, did not show up," Temple coach Stan Drayton said. "Now, it's not all on Forrest. There was a couple of pressure situations where he could have been better protected."

The Owls fumbled four times and lost them all.

"I thought our offense, just from the very start — rattled," Drayton said. "Never got in a rhythm. Turnovers, sacks. Just a poor, day of execution on the offensive side of the ball. We've got to really take a look at the film and see where the real issues are."

THE TAKEAWAY

Oklahoma: The Sooners simply did what was necessary. There wasn't much flash in their approach, they just ground down Temple. They struggled a bit on offense, gaining just 378 yards.