No. 20 Oklahoma Delivers a Dominant 73-0 Blowout Victory Over Arkansas State
No. 20 Oklahoma showcased their power and dominance on Saturday as they overwhelmed Arkansas State University with a resounding 73-0 victory at Memorial Stadium. The Sooners wasted no time in asserting their control over the game, scoring a touchdown on their very first possession. Quarterback Dillion Gabriel connected with Drake Stoops for a 10-yard pass, following a 45-yard gain from Andrel Anthony, who is a transfer from Michigan.
The Red Wolves struggled to find their footing, going three and out on their first offensive possession. Their troubles compounded when Gavin Freeman returned the ensuing punt for an electrifying 82-yard touchdown. In just a matter of moments, the Sooners found themselves with a commanding 14-0 lead and set the tone for the rest of the game.
No. 20 Oklahoma continued their dominant display, adding two more touchdowns before the end of the first quarter to take a commanding 28-0 lead. Gabriel was exceptional in the opening quarter, completing 10 of his 12 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The onslaught continued into the second quarter, with Tawee Walker punching in a 1-yard touchdown following an impressive reception by Jayden Gibson. Arkansas State struggled to keep up with the fast-paced and high-scoring offense of Oklahoma throughout the entire game.
Despite a positive moment for Arkansas State when Courtney Jackson caught a short pass and raced for a 47-yard gain, the drive ultimately stalled out, with kicker Dominic Zvada missing his second field-goal attempt of the game. On the following possession, the Sooners extended their lead to a staggering 42-0 with an impressive 5-yard touchdown run by Gabriel. A 21-yard field goal by Zach Schmit just before halftime brought the score to 45-0.
The first half belonged entirely to Oklahoma, as they scored points on each of their six possessions, including five touchdowns. Gabriel’s exceptional day concluded at halftime, having completed 19-of-22 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to his rushing score. Oklahoma primarily played their backups in the second half, and they did not let up, amassing a massive 66-0 lead by the end of the third quarter. They added one more touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run by Kalib Hicks.
Arkansas State struggled tremendously to move the chains, only converting 2 of 12 third-down attempts. The speed and physicality of the Sooners overwhelmed them on both sides of the ball, leaving little room for rhythm or momentum.
Coach Butch Jones of Arkansas State praised Oklahoma’s performance and acknowledged their talent and discipline on the field. He mentioned that the speed differential between the two teams was the most glaring he had seen in his career.
Looking ahead, Arkansas State will face off against Memphis in their upcoming game. The players are eager to prove themselves and maintain their standard of expectations and performance, as they continue to build their football program.
In conclusion, No. 20 Oklahoma’s dominating 73-0 blowout victory over Arkansas State showcased their prowess and affirmed their status as a top-25 football team. Led by quarterback Dillion Gabriel, the Sooners capitalized on their speed, talent, and physicality to overwhelm their opponents. Arkansas State struggled to keep up with the high-flying Oklahoma offense and now looks to bounce back in their subsequent game against Memphis.
