No. 6 Oklahoma handed Nebraska one of its worst losses in program history on Saturday with a 49-14 decision at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. The 49 points are the most scored by the Sooners against the Cornhuskers in the 88 meetings between these two programs.
Nebraska got on the board early with an impressive drive, but the effort turned into an embarrassment from there. The Sooners built a 49-7 lead with nine minutes left in the third quarter and cruised to the win, while the Cornhuskers didn’t score a single point until three minutes into garbage time .
Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel played well in his first start against a Power Five opponent in 2022. Gabriel scrambled for a career-long 61-yard touchdown to spark the offense and added 230 yards through the air and two touchdowns. However, the rushing game took over with over 300 yards, 113 of which came from running back Eric Gray, who had two scores on just 11 carries.
Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson threw for 129 yards and a touchdown, while Trey Palmer added 10 catches for 92 yards and a score. However, a porous offensive line allowed the Sooners to take four sacks from Thompson and produced just 2.8 yards per carry for starting running back Anthony Grant.
For Oklahoma, an important statement
Oklahoma played well in its first two games against UTEP and Kent State, but the first half against Nebraska was perfect football. The Sooners posted 355 yards on 8.1 yards per play and held the Cornhuskers to 3.4 yards per play. The defensive line held Nebraska underwater and made Thompson’s life hell.
There was hope when Venables took over the program that the Sooners could recapture some of the physicality that characterized their older teams. This win over Nebraska may not be as meaningful as it normally would be, but the level of dominance and execution was a clear change from the 23-16 game between these teams last season.
In a season where many of the top national contenders have looked flawed, Oklahoma has an early statement. The Sooners should jump right into the national conversation after gutting a Big Ten opponent on the road.
For Nebraska, total shame
Any hopes that the end of the Scott Frost era would quickly lead to a jump in competition were quickly dashed against a bitter rival. The initial script spread the ball, but after a few quarterback hits, the body language dropped quickly.
Nebraska’s defense looked shaken after allowing the long touchdown run to Gabriel early in the game and struggled to regain its mojo. The receivers played with little confidence in their quarterback game. After getting punched, Nebraska faltered.
Oklahoma had never scored more than 48 points against the Cornhuskers, but the Sooners reached that mark early in the third quarter. The 35-point margin of victory is the widest since 1990, a 16-game streak. It was tragic in Lincoln on every level.
Welcome to the party, Jaren Kanak
In the second quarter, Oklahoma’s leading tackler DaShaun White was ejected after a penalty. Venables brought in freshman Jaren Kanak, the only recruit to follow him from Clemson to Norman. Expectations were high for the former four-star, but his performance down the stretch was off the charts.
Kanak led the Sooners with 10 tackles in less than half a game, causing major problems for Nebraska’s defenses. He was only credited with one quarterback rush, but Kanak was around the ball on several occasions.
Oklahoma had been looking for a star to fill his “Cheetah” position at linebacker. White is a serious player, but Kanak is the future in the position.