Box Score Dive: OU Did Something Just Five Teams Have Pulled Off since 2000

I might need some better deep sea equipment than I’m currently using, but it’s time to dive into jam-packed Bedlam box score full of records, near-records and what has become an annual slugfest of the highest order in Stillwater or Norman.

Let’s go.

PPD Look: Two woeful defenses got lit up again on Saturday, although Oklahoma State’s held a historic OU offense in check more than most. Here’s a look.

OSU actually scored more points per drive offensively than OU did, but they got one fewer drive (if we’re counting OU’s final possession, which I guess we are). OSU’s defense, while worse than its yearly average, was borderline heroic against Kyler and Co. To hold one of the most efficient offenses in Big 12 history to 3.4 PPD is giving yourself a chance to beat a top 10 team on the road, which is all Gundy could ask for.

“[Kyler] makes a lot of things happen,” said Gundy. “He’s faster live than he is on TV. He buys so much time. We stressed this week to stay in coverage, and I thought they did OK. Not bad [pressure]. More than I thought we could get on him.”

349-349 Club: Since 2000 only five teams have put up 349 yards rushing and 349 passing in Power 5 games. The Big 12 has seen two of them, and — unfortunately for them — Syracuse has been on the receiving end of two as well.

1-0: With one fumble and no forced turnovers on Saturday, OSU has now won the turnover battle in exactly one game so far this year (Boise State). That’s rough when you consider the fact that OSU has won 58 of 63 games when winning the turnover battle.

2%: That’s how frequently Taylor Cornelius got sacked on Saturday. That’s twice in 86 (!) plays. He said afterwards he felt like he “didn’t get touched all day … they played their tails off.”

39: OSU had 39 first downs. No Gundy-coached team has ever had more (OSU also had 39 in 2012 against Louisiana). And until Saturday, no Gundy-coached team with 33 or more first downs had ever lost. They’re now 8-1.

Red Zone: These stats are LOL!

• OU opportunities: 6
• OU TDs: 4
• OU FGs: 2
• OU points: 34

Here are Oklahoma State’s.

• OSU opportunities: 5
• OSU TDs: 5
• OSU FGs: 0
• OSU points: 33

Now you see why Gundy went for two.

First Down Averages: More LOL-worthy numbers.

• OSU first down average gain: 9.1 yards
• OU first down average gain: 10.0 yards

Do what?! The two teams averaged a first down on first down?!

My one hope is Mike Stoops and Glenn Spencer are watching this game over some beers. #Bedlam

— Carson Cunningham (@KOCOCarson) November 10, 2018

Third Down Disparity: OSU was 5-5 on third and short (1-4 yards). OU was 0-3. That’s the kind of stat that gets No. 6 teams in the country beat, and OSU came within a kernel of doing just that in Norman on a fabulous night of college football.

All the Long Drives: There were 13 (!) drives of 60+ yards in the game. Twelve of them ended with TDs, and the other one was a field goal. The Big 12 has its future tutorial game. The thing OSU didn’t think it wanted to do — get into a long-suffering shootout with the highest-octane team this side of Alabama — it did with bravado and nearly finished the deed. The closer I look at this game, the more convinced I am that it was one of the best OSU has ever played against OU under Gundy.