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NORMAN, Oklahoma (Ticker) -- Oklahoma was not ready to give up its hopes of repeating as national champions. Behind a stifling defense and a ball-control offense, the fourth-ranked Sooners overcame a slow start to methodically wear down Texas A&M, 31-10, in a Big 12 Conference contest. The Aggies jolted the Sooners early, taking a 10-0 lead on linebacker Brian Gamble's 18-yard fumble return with 3:59 remaining in the first period. But Oklahoma (9-1, 5-1 Big 12 South) responded with 31 unanswered points, including a 10-yard TD run by kicker Tim Duncan on a fake field goal attempt, to stay on course to return to the Big 12 championship game. "It was real positive for us to play offense the way we did in the second half of the game," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. "Things are not going to go your way on every snap when you face a well-coached and talented team like Texas A&M." The Sooners dropped to third behind Miami in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings, but they can capture the Big 12 South title by winning their final two games against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma pulled even, 10-10, at the intermission before Nate Hybl directed three scoring drives in the second half. He threw a pair of touchdown passes and also rushed for a score. "We showed a tremendous amount of toughness and resiliency in coming back after the first quarter," Stoops said. Hybl will be the Sooners' starter for the remainder of the season after the school announced Friday that Jason White would undergo season-ending surgery next week. White, who replaced Hybl in Oklahoma's seventh game, has been sidelined since suffering a sprained left knee in the Sooners' loss to Nebraska. Hybl completed 25-of-38 passes for 195 yards and an interception against Texas A&M. "Nate did what he had to do when it mattered most," Stoops said. "His concentration, toughness and his direction of our offense is what impressed me the most." With the Aggies (7-3, 4-3) holding a 10-3 late in the first half, Oklahoma's defense turned around the game. Due to a strong rush, Cody Scates was unable to get off a punt for the Aggies and was tackled by cornerback Derrick Straits and wide receiver Antwone Savage at the Texas A&M 14. Three plays later, Hybl hit a wide-open Savage in the back of the end zone to tie the contest with 59 seconds left in the half. Oklahoma allowed just five first downs and possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes. "The defensive unit was exceptional today," Stoops said. "Their outstanding play has been a staple throughout the season. Today, the defense was sound and disciplined, and there wasn't a time when they were out of position." "We played a very good defensive team today," Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "We knew coming into the ballgame it would be a challenge. We saw other teams having difficulty moving the ball and we did also." Duncan scored on a 10-yard touchdown to give the Sooners a 17-10 lead 5:33 into the third period. "I felt lucky after that one," Stoops said. "That play was my deal and to be honest, we were fortunate to score that touchdown. I felt at that point of the game we needed a spark." Oklahoma dominated the fourth quarter as Hybl scored on a two-yard TD run 64 seconds into the period before tossing an eight-yard TD pass to Mark Clayton with 4:57 remaining. Texas A&M has not scored an offensive touchdown in its last two games. The Aggies were blanked by Texas Tech, 12-0, last week. The Aggies were held to just 74 yards on the ground while Mark Farris completed just 10-of-20 passes for 59 yards. "It's hard to beat a team when you don't move the ball," Farris said. "We have to get 11 guys out there doing the same thing. Right now, we're doing it every once in a while but we're not doing it consistently."
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