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NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Oklahoma opened its season the way it closed the last one -- with a big night on defense. Linebacker Rocky Calmus returned a fumble for a touchdown and cornerback Derrick Strait took back an interception for a score as third-ranked Oklahoma defeated North Carolina, 41-27, in the Hispanic College Fund Classic. The Sooners claimed the national championship by shutting down high-powered Florida State, 13-2, in the Orange Bowl last January. The defense of the crown began with Oklahoma forcing five turnovers in the first half and building a 31-7 lead after one quarter. "It's always good to get a win but we have a lot of work to do," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "But it's also good learning experience. We've got to be able to handle prosperity. After we were up 41-7, we seemed to fall apart a bit. It was very aggravating and we'll work on correcting those things next week." The Tar Heels (0-1), playing their first game under new coach John Bunting, trailed 17-0 before collecting a first down. The defensive effort was not reflected in the final score since North Carolina's scores in the first half came on an interception return and a punt return. The Tar Heels' only offensive TDs came in the fourth quarter with the game already decided. Quentin Griffin and Renaldo Works had TD runs and Antwone Savage returned a kickoff for a score for the Sooners, who led 41-14 at halftime. Game-time temperature was near 100 degrees and North Carolina quickly wilted in the heat. Quarterback Ronald Curry fumbled on the second play from scrimmage and linebacker Brandon Moore recovered, leading to a 25-yard field goal by Tim Duncan. The Sooners quickly moved downfield on their next possession as Griffin had a 23-yard run before going into the end zone from four yards on the next play. Griffin carried 16 times for 79 yards and caught seven passes for 48 more. The troubles continued for North Carolina when Bryan Smouse fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Works scored on a seven-yard run to make it 17-0. Andre Williams soon joined the list of Tar Heels to cough up the ball and Calmus capitalized, returning the fumble 14 yards for a score with 4:17 left in the opening period. "Rocky had an excellent game, as he always does," Stoops said. "He showed up in a lot of places tonight and made some key tackles." North Carolina finally was the beneficiary of a mistake when defensive end Julius Peppers intercepted a pass from Nate Hybl and raced 29 yards for a touchdown. Hybl, who has replaced the departed Josh Heupel at quarterback, completed 20-of-29 passes for 152 yards. The celebration for North Carolina was short-lived as Savage returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a score. The Sooners added their second defensive touchdown of the night when Strait intercepted a pass from Curry and raced 47 yards for a TD. After a 22-yard field goal by Duncan, North Carolina cut the deficit to 41-14 by halftime when Michael Waddell returned a punt 89 yards for a score. The Tar Heels, held to 94 yards through three quarters, made the score respectable when backup Darian Durant threw TD passes of 26 yards to Chesley Borders and one yard to Brandon Russell in the fourth quarter. Curry completed 5-of-14 passes for 74 yards and was sacked three times. With the late rally, North Carolina managed to outgain the Sooners, 290-286.
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