Now, Oklahoma Waits for Shot at No. 1 : Holieway Scores Twice in 35-13 Win Over SMU

Finally, fourth-ranked Oklahoma can begin worrying about No. 1-ranked Penn State.

Oklahoma was assured an Orange Bowl berth against the Nittany Lions two weeks ago, after beating Nebraska. But the Sooners had to get past Oklahoma State and Southern Methodist before thinking about a possible national championship.

They cleared that final hurdle Saturday, riding the performance of quarterback Jamelle Holieway to a 35-13 victory over SMU.

Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer said he had “no idea” whether the victory would move his team up in the poll.

“I hope our performance today will show the people around the country we are a different team than we were seven or eight weeks ago. We’re a good football team, a really good football team,” he said.

Asked whether he thought a victory over Penn State would mean the national title, Switzer said: “I’m not going to get into that . . . let it take care of itself.”

Holieway scored on runs of 38 and 3 yards, and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to split end Lee Morris. He finished with 126 yards rushing.

“Jamelle Holieway had an excellent game, he made some unbelievable plays,” Switzer said. “He made some unbelievable checks against their defenses.”

The Sooners finished their regular season 10-1, their best regular-season record since 1979. SMU wound up 6-5, giving the Mustangs more than four losses for the first time since 1979.

“I felt coming into the game they were the best team in the country,” SMU Coach Bobby Collins said, “and after seeing them and playing against them today, I’m convinced of it.”

Oklahoma scored three second-quarter touchdowns to erase an early 7-0 deficit. Tailback Spencer Tillman scored on a one-yard dive at 14:52 to tie the score, then 16 seconds later Holieway scored from 38 yards following an SMU fumble.

On their next possession, the Sooners drove 68 yards in 12 plays with Patrick Collins scoring from the 11. Holieway’s scoring pass to Morris came at 5:15 of the third quarter, and his three-yard option keeper at 7:07 of the fourth quarter ended the scoring.

SMU started in impressive fashion, driving 82 yards in 11 plays with tailback Reggie Dupard scoring on a three-yard run. But two first-half fumbles slowed the Mustangs.

Dupard added another touchdown in the fourth quarter, a two-yard run. The conversion kick was blocked.