Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, narrowly avoids army defeat in OT Bleacher Report



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NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Kyler Murray # 1 quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners walks on the field during the UCLA Bruins game at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering / Getty Images)

Brett Deering / Getty Images

Quarterback Kyler Murray and Oklahoma Sooners, fifth in the standings, narrowly avoided a 28-21 overtime victory Saturday night against the Army Black Knights at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma.

Murray joined CeeDee Lamb for a 10-yard touchdown in the second OT game, after kicker Austin Seibert missed a 33-yard pitch in the fourth quarter. The OU defense made a stop on the training of the army that ensued to win the victory.

The Sooners managed to stay undefeated despite the total loss (379-355) and keeping the ball for a little over 15 minutes, against nearly 45 for the Knights during regulation.

Kyler Murray Boosts Heisman's Hope by Helping Youngest to Avoid Controversies

Oklahoma, almost a victim of a disastrous loss, had nothing to do with Murray.

The 21-year-old Heisman Trophy contender achieved another solid performance. He completed 11 of his 15 shots for 165 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He added seven runs for 77 yards, including a 33-yard electric run in the second quarter.

Murray just did not have a lot of time with the ball in his hands. The Army was able to devour much of the clock with almost every ride as the defense of the OU could not leave the ground in third place. This kept the game firm throughout the match and limited the number of dual threat players.

The Texas native did everything for the Sooners to cross the finish line. He drove OU on the field twice in the fourth quarter. The race match was doubled twice in the first attempt and the second ended with Seibert's goal shot.

Murray, however, caught up in overtime and the Oklahoma defense finally stopped to end the drama. Beating Army is not usually a resume builder for the Heisman, but without their featured quarterback, it's possible that the Knights complement the situation.

Oklahoma Run Defense will benefit from an army test

Army is still a risky opponent for a Power Five team to plan. The directed attack of the program is a major challenge for any defensive front, and the Sooners have almost learned that on Saturday.

The Knights ran for 339 yards and three touchdowns on an impressive 78 races. They have mastered the Sooners in the trenches and have been able to support several trainings because of that. The three scores were obtained after a player of at least eight minutes.

As Oklahoma managed to win, the situation becomes more of a learning experience than a brutal exit that could have cost the team its championship hopes. Now, the process of correcting the errors up front needs to start seriously.

In the end, teams that win national titles usually have two games like this one during the season. The question is whether they will experience the experience better or make the same mistakes in the coming weeks and eventually suffer a crushing defeat.

The answer for the Sooners will come in the next few months, but the blueprint for the defense of the race is now available after being burned by the army.

Knights have the opportunity to run a table after a near-shock

Army could not deliver what would probably have been one of the biggest disruptions of the 2018 season.

Nevertheless, the strong effort highlights the potential of the Knights and their schedule for the rest of the campaign is favorable. Their match next week against the Buffalo Bulls is probably the toughest on the list. A win there could trigger a series of long wins, or even win 10-2.

Quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. and the tandem of Kell Walker and Darnell Woolfolk will be a nightmare to defend throughout the year. In addition, the offensive line of the army showed Saturday that it was able to win battles against the highly rated hopes of Oklahoma.

The optimism of what lies ahead will not make Saturday's defeat disappear immediately. But the prospects are bright for the Army, although it lets slip a goal against a title contender.

And after?

Oklahoma should quickly rebound from the poor performance that comes with the Big 12 game against the Baylor Bears next Saturday.

The army is ready for another clash with an undefeated opponent next Saturday when it will travel to West New York for a 4-0 encounter with Buffalo.

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