The annual showdown between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns is called the Red River Rivalry, taking its name from the Red River which forms much of the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma. The venue is the original Cotton Bowl Stadium, one half filled with fans clad in burnt orange (Texas) the other half in maroon (Oklahoma). What's makes this a truly unique event is the fact that the Texas State Fair, complete with ferris wheels, rides, and carnival games is going on right outside.
Unlike in recent years, Texas controlled the game almost from the beginning, the offensive line gave quarterback Sam Ehlinger plenty of time and space to use his cannon for an arm and his physical running style to run roughshod over the Oklahoma defense. Ehlinger passed for a touchdown and ran for another as the Longhorns scored 24 1st half points, the most points they scored in the first half against Oklahoma since they won the national championship in 2005.
The Texas stampede continued in the 3rd quarter. Ehlinger threw another touchdown pass and also ran for two more, proving Texas could impose their will at the line of scrimmage. Oklahoma, however, rallied back in the 4th quarter, erasing a 21-point deficit. A 67 yard touchdown run by speedy quarterback Kyler Murray certainly helped. But Texas got the last laugh, putting together an effective drive, the most important play of which, you guessed it, a designed quarterback run for Ehlinger. The kicker, Cameron Dicker (pause to consider the rhyme) came on and booted a majestic 40 yard field goal to provide jubilation to Texas players and fans alike. A season defining program win had been achieved by the Longhorns, which I can assure you has been a long time in coming.
Notre Dame's Continued Rise
The Fighting Irish hadn't won a road game against a ranked team in 4 years and they faced just such a test as they traveled to face 24th ranked Virginia Tech. After a half of play, the Irish held a razor thin 14-13 lead. Then, great punt by Virginia Tech, after their first drive, pinned Notre Dame down at their own 5 yard line. Running back Dexter Williams lost a couple yards on first down, but the blocking of his teammates improved drastically on 2nd down, opening up a big gap in the defense that allowed him to race 97 yards for a game-changing touchdown.
The rest of the 2nd saw the Irish flex their offensive muscles. Forgive the pun but ever since the coaching staff decided to turn the page on original starter Brandon Wimbush for new QB Ian Book, the offense has been energized. He tossed two touchdowns in the 2nd half, both to receiver Myles Boykin. Dexter Williams added another 31 yard touchdown scamper late in the 4th and Fighting Irish rolled out of Blacksburg, Virginia with a win that cements their place as a top 5 playoff team.
Gator-Tiger Battle in the Swamp Leads to Surprising Result
The LSU Tigers, ranked in the top five for the first time in years, came into the Gators' stadium in Gainesville, called the Swamp, ready to play the an upstart Florida team, fresh off a 13-6 upset of ranked Mississippi State. Florida's defense was the reason they won that game and Tim Tebow spoke to the team before this game to encourage the defense to continue playing well and perhaps inspire the offense to perform better.
The offense, led by improving sophomore feleipe Franks, answered the call the second quarter. The Tigers led 7-0 but we're pinned deep in their own territory by a good Florida punt. The Gators defense forced a three and out, necessitating a punt by the Tigers that gave Florida great field position. 7 productive running plays, followed by a Franks touchdown pass to tight end Moral Stephen's tied the game at 7. LSU tallied a field goal with three minutes left in the half but the Gators responded with a seven play 75-yard TD drive to take a 14-10 lead heading into the half.
The only points scored in the third quarter was a field goal by the Tigers. Florida's offense went silent, and a LSU scored a touchdown early in the 4th quarter but failed on the two-point conversion, giving them a 19 to 14 lead.
The Gators immediately responded with a nine-play drive that showcased just how much Franks has improved as a quarterback since last year. He fired a big 25 yard completion to wide receiver Van Jefferson and ran for 12 yards on a third down later in the drive. The next play was a trick play in which Frank's handed the ball off to tight end Lucas Krull and received a pass back from him, advancing the Gators down to the 2 yard line. Running back Lamical Perine busted into the endzone to give Florida the lead.
The sharp-toothed Gators defense came up big during LSU's last three drives intercepting two passes, returning one for an interception that was the deciding play of the game. The packed house of 90,000 Florida fans were soon celebrating a season-changing win that propels them into the top echelons of the SEC East.
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