OU’s Mixon suspended for game at Iowa State

Oklahoma owns the No. 122 pass defense in FBS, worst in the Big 12, giving up 315.5 yards per game. “We’ve really needed that and they’ve stepped up and filled that role”.

Mixon, 20, had been on the straight and narrow since being reinstated and was recently installed as the 6-2 Sooners’ featured running back with starter Samaje Perine injured. Do not be fooled, this scrappy 1-6 squad has played some of the top teams in the Big-12 tight. Park was impressive last week by completing 19 of 35 for 301 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The previous record of 10 had stood since 1941.

Mixon leads the Sooners in rushing with 813 yards and five touchdowns on 119 carries. Dede Westbrook’s 71-yard punt return a couple of minutes later seemed to spark the offense, which scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and four in the third.

This is a huge opportunity for the man who could very well be the future at running back for the Sooners. Added offensive tackle Orlando Brown: “Fortunately, we didn’t have to play the whole game (against Kansas)”. The plan appeared to play Mixon for the majority of the time if he was moving around well.

“His performance was absolutely incredible”. Catch the ball. Make the throw. The outstanding athlete is making his case that he is the best wide out in the Big-12.

The Sooners’ other two non-Saturday games during Stoops’ tenure have come with either a bye week immediately preceding (Baylor, 2013) or to start the season (Tulsa, 2001). Mahomes leads the nation in passing yardage (3,313), 682 yards more than No. 2 Eric Dungey of Syracuse. The Cowboys are 4-1 in the league and their next three opponents; Kansas State, Texas Tech and TCU, are just a combined 13-11. He had 743 yards total in 2015.

Putting the clamps on Westbrook would force Mayfield to find other receiving targets, which hasn’t worked well for the Sooners this season.

The sophomore ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards with 184.8 per game. Give me the Sooners in a blowout.

OU is scoring 43.9 points per game and allowing 36 points. “I think everyone on our team feels that way”, Stoops said during Monday’s conference call with Big 12 coaches.

“It was a little different, but we all were fine with it because we know we had a short week this week”, Evans said. “Whether you have a chance for a bowl game or not, most of the guys in the room are competitors and we want to be the best that we can be no matter what”.

ISU Coach Matt Campbell said running back Mike Warren, who suffered a sprained ankle in the loss to Kansas State, “sounds like he’ll be good to go” against Oklahoma.

“That’s not true”, Stoops said.

Close losses have defined much of the year, but for Campbell, that isn’t what the final four games have to be defined by. It’s the same defense. “I’m just focusing on the next kick and I’ve had a lot of people in my career help me succeed”.