The question was asked time and time again. During the spring, the summer, preseason camp and even heading into this weekend’s season opener.
What in the world was the Oklahoma offense going to look like without Baker Mayfield? With Kyler Murray running the show?
First impression was a massive positive one as the Sooners looked comfortable in all three phases of the game in a 63-14 rout of visiting Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon at Owen Field.
The Sooners (1-0) scored touchdowns on their initial five drives of the game en route to taking a 42-0 lead at halftime and racked up 650 yards in 62 plays, averaging a staggering 10.5 yards per play.
Give credit to the OU running backs, receivers and offensive line, but it all started with Murray. Known as a cool, calm, collected individual, it was all on display. Well, at least for a half as Murray was subbed out late in the second quarter for Austin Kendall with the game never in doubt.
“We reload here,” wide receiver Marquise Brown said. “It is always going to be the next man up mentality, so whoever is in, we try to execute.”
Murray’s brief day included going 9 of 11 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 23 yards on four attempts.
He put his stamp on the game early. OU was humming on its initial drive when the Murray showed the skill set. It goes down as a 15-yard gain, but scrambling to the right to come back to the left to finish going back right, Murray ran at least 60 yards.
The next play was a 30-yard touchdown run by Rodney Anderson, and the blowout was on.
“I was about to go run and block for him on one side of the field then he came back the other way,” Anderson said. “So then, I had to reverse and go find another guy. It was great to extend a play. He gained yards. It was great to have a quarterback like that, who can extend plays and make big plays for us.”
Murray showed he could make plays with his legs. But when he was asked to deliver with his arm, yea, that turned out just fine as well.
He connected with Brown on a deep 65-yard touchdown pass to show his arm strength. And he found Lee Morris for a 65-yard touchdown as well, delivering in a tight window and letting Morris do the rest.
Morris, as much as anybody, would know about Murray. Teammates at Allen (Texas) High and now in Norman, nothing’s a shock.
“He played like how Kyler played since I’ve known him,” Morris said. “That little scramble right there, I’ve seen many times — many, many times, whether it’s practice or in high school. He’s just doing his thing like he usually does.”
With Murray showing the confidence, the rest of the team followed his lead. Anderson rushed for 100 yards on just five carries with two touchdowns.
Fellow backs Trey Sermon, Marcelias Sutton and Kennedy Brooks (in his first game) all found the end zone as well.
When it was all said and done, OU rushed for 316 yards and threw for 334. The type of balance that has become expected in Norman. A standard set by Mayfield and a standard certainly understood about what’s to be expected by Murray.
“I felt it went well. Obviously, for me I know the offense, we want to come out fast,” Murray said. “I believe we did that. My job is to come out and execute. I felt we played well. Running backs ran the ball well. Line blocked well. I thought it was a good day.”
Yep, it was.
What in the world was the Oklahoma offense going to look like without Baker Mayfield? With Kyler Murray running the show?
First impression was a massive positive one as the Sooners looked comfortable in all three phases of the game in a 63-14 rout of visiting Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon at Owen Field.
The Sooners (1-0) scored touchdowns on their initial five drives of the game en route to taking a 42-0 lead at halftime and racked up 650 yards in 62 plays, averaging a staggering 10.5 yards per play.
Give credit to the OU running backs, receivers and offensive line, but it all started with Murray. Known as a cool, calm, collected individual, it was all on display. Well, at least for a half as Murray was subbed out late in the second quarter for Austin Kendall with the game never in doubt.
“We reload here,” wide receiver Marquise Brown said. “It is always going to be the next man up mentality, so whoever is in, we try to execute.”
Murray’s brief day included going 9 of 11 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 23 yards on four attempts.
He put his stamp on the game early. OU was humming on its initial drive when the Murray showed the skill set. It goes down as a 15-yard gain, but scrambling to the right to come back to the left to finish going back right, Murray ran at least 60 yards.
The next play was a 30-yard touchdown run by Rodney Anderson, and the blowout was on.
“I was about to go run and block for him on one side of the field then he came back the other way,” Anderson said. “So then, I had to reverse and go find another guy. It was great to extend a play. He gained yards. It was great to have a quarterback like that, who can extend plays and make big plays for us.”
Murray showed he could make plays with his legs. But when he was asked to deliver with his arm, yea, that turned out just fine as well.
He connected with Brown on a deep 65-yard touchdown pass to show his arm strength. And he found Lee Morris for a 65-yard touchdown as well, delivering in a tight window and letting Morris do the rest.
Morris, as much as anybody, would know about Murray. Teammates at Allen (Texas) High and now in Norman, nothing’s a shock.
“He played like how Kyler played since I’ve known him,” Morris said. “That little scramble right there, I’ve seen many times — many, many times, whether it’s practice or in high school. He’s just doing his thing like he usually does.”
With Murray showing the confidence, the rest of the team followed his lead. Anderson rushed for 100 yards on just five carries with two touchdowns.
Fellow backs Trey Sermon, Marcelias Sutton and Kennedy Brooks (in his first game) all found the end zone as well.
When it was all said and done, OU rushed for 316 yards and threw for 334. The type of balance that has become expected in Norman. A standard set by Mayfield and a standard certainly understood about what’s to be expected by Murray.
“I felt it went well. Obviously, for me I know the offense, we want to come out fast,” Murray said. “I believe we did that. My job is to come out and execute. I felt we played well. Running backs ran the ball well. Line blocked well. I thought it was a good day.”
Yep, it was.
