DALLAS — Landry Jones may be the most maligned quarterback in Oklahoma history. After Saturday’s 63-21 victory over Texas at the Cotton Bowl, he’s also the winningest.
The victory was OU’s 33rd since 2009 with Jones as the starting quarterback, surpassing Steve Davis, who went 32-1-1 from 1973-75, as the all-time leader.
“That was one of the goals I remember setting in 2009,” he said. “I said this to (his wife, Whitney Hand), when we lost in 2009, that when I’m the starting quarterback I hope we never lose that game. It was one of the goals I wanted to do. At the end of my career, I’m thankful, and I give all the glory to God for letting me play in this game and have success in it.”
Jones threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. During his three starts against the Longhorns, OU outscored them 146-58. Jones threw seven touchdown passes against one interception.
Turnover margin: The Sooners had one streak end on Saturday. Jones threw an interception early in the third quarter that Texas’ Carring Byndom returned 28 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first interception OU has thrown in the Red River Rivalry since 2009.
OU picked off two passes from Texas quarterback David Ash. Over the last three games against the Longhorns, OU has five picks.
Belldozer rolls: Backup quarterback Blake Bell scored four of OU’s first five touchdowns out of the short-yardage package. Three touchdowns came on 1-yard runs. The other, OU’s first of the day, came on an 8-yard run.
“The offensive line and Landry, they do a great job of getting the ball in there inside the 10,” said Bell, who now has seven rushing touchdowns this season. “When I get the opportunity to get in there, I’m going to do my best and try to get in the end zone.”
Run it up: The Sooners rushed for 343 yards, which was six yards short of their season high. OU is now 53-1 when rushing for 200 yards or more. It had that accomplished by the end of the first half against Texas.
“We just couldn’t stop the run,” Texas defensive end Alex Okafor said. “When you can’t stop the run, things get ugly real quick, and it’s been like that all season.”
Texas has allowed at least 190 rushing yards in its last three games.
Record run: OU running back Damien Williams’ 95-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the longest run in the 107-year history of the Red River Rivalry.
“It’s a great feeling to know that I am compared to any running back who has been here because I don’t consider myself on that level yet,” Williams said. “I’m going to just keep doing what I have been doing.”
Williams rushed for 167 yards on Saturday and now has 508 through five games.
What a way to start: Junior receiver Jalen Saunders played his first game in an OU uniform on Saturday. The NCAA ruled he was eligible to play on Wednesday.
“I haven’t caught a ball in over a year in a game, “ Saunders said. “It felt great to get an opportunity to come back on the field. ... I was really excited to be back on the field and play well, play fast.”
Saunders had two catches for 54 yards.
No quit?: Texas coach Mack Brown was adamant his team didn’t quit on Saturday. However, he also said that was by default.
“They had 400 yards on offense the first half; we had 65,” Brown said. “On offense, we weren’t out there long enough to quit.”
John ShinnFollow me @john_shinnjshinn@normantranscript.com
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
