Written by Bob Mora
Orlando, FL- The 25th Russell Athletic Bowl was to be a very competitive game between the Oklahoma Sooners from the big 12 conference , with an explosive offense, against the Clemson Tigers defense ranked first in the nation, unfortunately the Sooners offense was a no show.
Clemson won the coin toss and elected to kick, the Sooners responded with 3 plays and a punt. On the tigers first play, QB Cole Stoudt, who was starting in place of injured Deshuan Watson, whom passed to WR Artavis Scott for a short pass that turned into a 65 yard score and an early 7-0 lead.
Tigers kicker Ammon Lakip missed from 39 only to re-kick from the 34 after a Sooner off-sides penalty, this made it 10-0.
Oklahoma could not get anything going offensively in the first half, after 8 possessions they had only 5 first downs, 63 rushing yards, and 27 passing yards, along with 5 penalties for 45 yards.
and consistently pressuring the QBThe Clemson defense played like the number 1 defense is expected to play, picking off Sooners QB Trevor Knight 3 times, one being a pick 6 by middle linebacker Ben Boulware in the 2nd.
Clemson, after another Lakip kick and a 26 yard touchdown by Mike Williams , went into the half with a comfortable 27-0 lead.
The second half continued like the first half, Clemson's defense would not let Oklahoma get into any rhythm and dominated most of the second half, the Sooners had some good play from Samaje Perine who rushed for 134 yards on 23 carries.
Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight ended up 17 for 37 for 103 yards and 3 int's.
The only highlight for the Sooners was an 11 yard touchdown run by RB Alex Ross with 6:57 left in the game to put Oklahoma on the board for the first time 40-6.
LB Eric Striker led the Sooners with 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks,
LB Dominique Alexander and Safety Ahmad Thomas had 9 total tackles.
Clemson Safety Korrin Wiggins had 7 total tackles and Vic Beasley had 5 tackles and a safety.
Clemson Quarterback Cole Stoudt earned the player of the game award after throwing for 319 yards on 26 of 36 passing in front of an announced attendance of 40,071.
Clemson won the coin toss and elected to kick, the Sooners responded with 3 plays and a punt. On the tigers first play, QB Cole Stoudt, who was starting in place of injured Deshuan Watson, whom passed to WR Artavis Scott for a short pass that turned into a 65 yard score and an early 7-0 lead.
Tigers kicker Ammon Lakip missed from 39 only to re-kick from the 34 after a Sooner off-sides penalty, this made it 10-0.
Oklahoma could not get anything going offensively in the first half, after 8 possessions they had only 5 first downs, 63 rushing yards, and 27 passing yards, along with 5 penalties for 45 yards.
and consistently pressuring the QBThe Clemson defense played like the number 1 defense is expected to play, picking off Sooners QB Trevor Knight 3 times, one being a pick 6 by middle linebacker Ben Boulware in the 2nd.
Clemson, after another Lakip kick and a 26 yard touchdown by Mike Williams , went into the half with a comfortable 27-0 lead.
The second half continued like the first half, Clemson's defense would not let Oklahoma get into any rhythm and dominated most of the second half, the Sooners had some good play from Samaje Perine who rushed for 134 yards on 23 carries.
Oklahoma QB Trevor Knight ended up 17 for 37 for 103 yards and 3 int's.
The only highlight for the Sooners was an 11 yard touchdown run by RB Alex Ross with 6:57 left in the game to put Oklahoma on the board for the first time 40-6.
LB Eric Striker led the Sooners with 12 total tackles and 1.5 sacks,
LB Dominique Alexander and Safety Ahmad Thomas had 9 total tackles.
Clemson Safety Korrin Wiggins had 7 total tackles and Vic Beasley had 5 tackles and a safety.
Clemson Quarterback Cole Stoudt earned the player of the game award after throwing for 319 yards on 26 of 36 passing in front of an announced attendance of 40,071.