Sooner defense sytmies Arkansas

By Matt Franklin
Oklahoma Daily

Norman, Oklahoma (U-WIRE) -- In a game very similar to one played earlier in the season at the same stadium, the Oklahoma football team beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 10-3 to win the 66th SBC Cotton Bowl.

As was the case in OU's 14-3 win over Texas Oct. 6, a staunch defensive effort led the way, and a late turnover sealed the win.

The victory ended OU's season at 11-2. OU's 24 victories over the last two seasons is a school record.

The Sooners' nine sacks against the Razorbacks on New Year's Day is another school record and ties the Cotton Bowl record set by Miami.

Arkansas gained only 50 yards of total offense against the Sooners, marking the lowest total gained against OU all year. The Razorbacks completed only two of 13 pass attempts for a paltry 13 yards. Arkansas' leading rusher, sophomore running back Brandon Holmes, finished with 27 yards on eight carries.

Both coaches had high praise for the Sooner defensive effort.

"They're fast, and they caused a lot of problems today," Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. "They're the best I've seen in 15 years."

"They may have outperformed what they did a year ago in the bowl game," OU football head coach Bob Stoops said. "We weren't out of position all day."

OU scored the lone touchdown of the game on its second offensive possession. The Sooners marched 63 yards on 13 plays on a drive that lasted 6:34 and ended on a 1-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Nate Hybl. On the drive, Hybl completed four of five passes, including two key third-down completions and a 4-yard pass to junior tight end Trent Smith on fourth-and-1.

Hybl completed a Cotton Bowl-record 24 passes on 32 attempts for 175 yards. He threw no interceptions.

"I thought Nate was very solid," Stoops said. "He did what we asked him to do."

OU took a 7-0 lead into the locker room at halftime and the teams traded second-half field goals. With two minutes left in the game, the Razorbacks had one final chance to march the field for a potential game-tying touchdown. After picking up a first down, Arkansas freshman quarterback Matt Jones dropped back to pass. OU sophomore linebacker Teddy Lehman sacked Jones and stripped the ball. Senior linebacker Rocky Calmus recovered the fumble, ending the Razorbacks' chances.

Although OU's loss to Oklahoma State ended the team's national championship hopes, Calmus (who led all players with 10 tackles) said he doesn't feel disappointed with the season.

"We'd have loved to go to the Rose Bowl, but to end my career like this was perfect," Calmus said. "I've been very blessed with the career I've had."

Another senior, receiver Josh Norman, said finishing with a win was important.

"It's especially rewarding to go out like that," Norman said.

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