NORMAN, Okla. (AP) There might be something to Oklahoma’s ”Championship November” mantra.
The Sooners have won 15 consecutive November games dating to the 2014 season. They already have won two games this November heading into Saturday’s game against Kansas.
”Coaches preach it,” receiver Marquise Brown said. ”It’s big around here, football in November. That’s where football championships are won. You have to get through November to get to where you want to be. We take big pride in playing games in November.”
The late-season success, fueled by coach Lincoln Riley’s high-powered offenses, has helped Oklahoma claim three consecutive Big 12 titles and make two trips to the College Football Playoff. The sixth-ranked Sooners believe they can make another run at both this season.
”We know what’s at stake,” Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray said. ”We can’t lose a game. We don’t want to lose a game. The standard around Oklahoma is to go as far as possible. For us, that’s obviously win a Big 12 Championship and see where that puts us, and we know that. I think that’s just what keeps us humble and keep working hard.”
GRINDING IT OUT
Quarterback Baker Mayfield won the Heisman last season and Murray is a strong contender this season. They have combined to start all but two of the games. Yet, the Sooners are averaging 289.4 yards rushing during the streak while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Oklahoma has averaged 47 rush attempts to 27 pass attempts, showing a willingness to pound the ball and take pressure off its quarterbacks.
EFFICIENT PASSING
Oklahoma has completed nearly 68 percent of its passes during the streak. When you combine a strong, steady running game with efficient, Heisman-caliber quarterbacks, you get something like this: 576.9 yards and 46.9 points per game. Mayfield has set the NCAA single-season passer efficiency record each of the past two seasons, and Murray is having an even more efficient season this year.
SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES
Oklahoma has set its single-game records for rushing, passing and receiving yardage during this run. Samaje Perine’s 427-yard performance against Kansas in 2014 remains the FBS rushing record for a game. Last season against Oklahoma State, Mayfield passed for a school-record 598 yards and Brown had a school-best 265 yards receiving.
WINNING THE CLOSE ONES
When things have gotten shaky, the Sooners have made critical defensive plays. In 2015, when Oklahoma lost most of its lead against TCU, Steven Parker batted away a pass on a 2-point conversion with 51 seconds remaining to help the Sooners hold on for a 30-29 victory. Two weeks ago, Robert Barnes ran back an interception on a 2-point conversion for two critical points in the fourth quarter of a 51-46 win over Texas Tech. Last week, Oklahoma State pulled to within 48-47 with 1:03 remaining, but Tre Brown got his hand on Taylor Cornelius’ 2-point conversion pass, and the Sooners held on.
MINIMIZING MISTAKES
Oklahoma has forced 27 turnovers while committing just 15 during the streak. The Sooners have lost the turnover battle just three times in those games. Oklahoma has allowed 27.6 points in those contests, which isn’t horrible by Big 12 standards, and certainly more than enough help for Riley’s offenses.
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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP
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