Oklahoma Finally Gets Offense Going in 41-6 Win Over Kansas State

Barry Switzer turned 48 Saturday, but it was the Oklahoma offense that grew up.

“I think we improved, no question about it,” the coach of the No. 2-ranked Sooners said Saturday after a 41-6 rout of winless Kansas State.

Sophomore quarterback Troy Aikman, who was admittedly nervous in a 13-7 season-opening victory over Minnesota last week, hit on eight straight passes to rally the defending Big Eight co-champions from a sluggish start.

Aikman finished with 10 completions in 14 attempts for 177 yards as the Sooners improved their record to 2-0 and plunged the Wildcats to 0-5. Aikman had two touchdown passes called back by penalties.

“Aikman should have gained confidence,” said Switzer, who was treated to a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by the Oklahoma band during the first quarter. “He threw the ball well. I hope he’s pleased with his performance. I was.”

Two turnovers and a failed fourth-down play kept the Sooners scoreless in the first quarter.

“We were slow getting started,” Switzer said. “We played like a young, inexperienced offense. But I think we grew up a little.”

Kansas State Coach Lee Moon did not believe the final score gave a true picture of his team’s effort.

“We played better than the score indicated,” he said. “Our defense took over 100 snaps, and that will wear any team out.”

After committing two turnovers in a scoreless first period, Oklahoma got rolling in the second quarter with touchdown runs of 16 yards by Leon Perry and two yards by Lydell Carr, who finished with 136 yards rushing.

But Derrick Shepard fumbled a Kansas State punt early in the third period, and the Wildcats took possession on the Sooner 37. Randy Williams connected with Kent Dean for 31 yards and threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Todd Elder. The extra point was blocked, leaving Oklahoma with a 14-6 lead with 14:18 remaining in the half.

Aikman then led a quick drive, capped by Tim Lashar’s 22-yard field goal, on the Sooners’ next possession. And, after Kansas State punted, another Oklahoma drive set up Patrick Collins’ 12-yard touchdown run that put the Sooners ahead, 24-6, with 6:12 left in the quarter. Five minutes later, Lashar kicked a 33-yarder to put Oklahoma ahead, 27-6.

Reserve freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway from Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif., ran 47 yards to the Kansas State five-yard line early in the fourth quarter, and Don Maloney scored Oklahoma’s fourth touchdown on a one-yard run that made it 34-6.

Lonnie Finch, a freshman defensive back, intercepted a Williams pass late in the game and returned it 36 yards for the Sooners’ final score.

As expected, the Oklahoma defense, which ranks second in the nation, stopped a Kansas State offense that ranks 104th. Sooner defensive backs dropped six potential interceptions.