Brennan Clay was a force in the running game for the Sooners against Iowa State. (Matt Ryerson-US PRESSWIRE)
AMES, Iowa — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops moved aside for his quarterback in the post-game press conference like fifth-year senior Landry Jones was royalty.
Jones had just given gave Oklahoma its 35th victory with the use of his arm, as the No. 12 Sooners beat Iowa State, 35-20, on Saturday even though Jones had two passes intercepted.
“He was really good, especially away from home and against a team that has really played good defense,” Stoops said of his quarterback.
But the day doesn’t only go to Jones’ arm. It also goes to the feet of Brennan Clay. The junior running back filled admirably with starter Damien Williams limited because of an ankle injury he sustained in Oklahoma’s previous game.
In the third quarter, Clay collected 23 yards on a drive before breaking an 18-yard touchdown run, his fourth of the season. Clay, who came into the game with 30 carries for 220 yards this season, got his first start since September of 2011 and finished with 24 carries for 157 yards.
“I had my opportunity today,” Clay said. “I came in and was able to step up. That’s what they expect, so that’s what I had to do.”
Jones threw completions to nine receivers, including seven passes for 107 yards to Justin Brown, who led all receivers.
However, Oklahoma’s gunslinger had a few other close calls that didn’t go his way. Jones threw one ball to Durrell Givens of Iowa State and had another one tipped Givens’ hands. Givens broke tackles on his first pick and cut from the far west sideline to the middle of the field to take the ball 47 yards to the 15-yard line.
“His first interception was a big time play,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. “It was a big time catch and a great break on the ball.
“They say that defensive backs should be able to cover one third of the pass distance while the ball is in the air, and he did that and maybe more on that play.”
Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz, however, couldn’t get a completion on the drive and the Cyclones settled for a field goal to put them on the board.
Jantz completed 20-of-40 passes for 191 yards.
“He gave us an opportunity to be in it and made some accurate throws,” Rhoads said. “It wasn’t his best decision making game, but he continues to learn and we’ll continue to coach him.”
In the third quarter, Jones threw a pass 20 yards toward Brown in the end zone. Iowa State’s Jeremy Reeves tipped it, but the ball landed in Brown’s arms for an Oklahoma touchdown.
“Landry threw it up and that is when he trusts us,” Brown said. “So we have to come down with those catches.”
On the next drive, Cyclones’ Jarvis West got the pitch on a reverse at Oklahoma’s 19-yard line. The sophomore wide receiver took the ball to the left before diving into the end zone for Iowa State’s first touchdown.
Iowa State got another touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run by Shontrelle Johnson.
Oklahoma also continued to score in the fourth, when Jones completed a 31-yard touchdowns pass to junior wide receiver Kenny Stills, his second scoring catch of the game.
The Sooners snapped the ball almost twice as many times as the Cyclones and finished with 593 yards of total offense.
“That team is big all around and is skilled at every position,” Rhoads said. “They played to the level of their physical ability. That football team is full of men.”
NOTES: Jack Trice Stadium held its third largest crowd for the Oklahoma–Iowa State game. … Oklahoma running back Damien Williams and left tackle Lane Johnson were both questionable before the game. Neither Williams nor Johnson got the start. Williams finished the game with three carries for seven yards. … Iowa State Jake Knott watched his first game from the sideline since the 2009 Insight Bowl after it was announced this week that the linebacker would miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.
