Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, angling for field position vs. Nebraska, ‘might have been the first coach in history’ to challenge his own team’s INT

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Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, angling for field position vs. Nebraska, ‘might have been the first coach in history’ to challenge his own team’s INT

On a day when No. 3 Oklahoma scored its fewest factors ever less than Lincoln Riley in a 23-16 get over Nebraska, the Sooners coach just about designed historical past for yet another purpose.

Right after Oklahoma cornerback D.J. Graham produced a highlight-reel one-handed interception on fourth down on his very own 3-garden line with 8:16 remaining in the video game, Riley straight away went and talked to the officials.

“I might have been the first coach in history to challenge a participate in we got an interception on,” Riley explained with a laugh. “I was hoping it would’ve long gone down.”

An incompletion would’ve permitted the Sooners to commence at their have 24. But staying deep in their own territory, Riley opted to engage in it conservatively, managing it on 1st and 2nd down, netting zero yards in advance of an incompletion on a 3rd-down go endeavor.

Just after a punt, Samori Toure’s 10-yard return gave Nebraska the ball on the OU 38-yard line. The Cornhuskers scored three performs later on on Adrian Martinez’s 21-garden landing move to slash Oklahoma’s lead to 23-16 with 5:38 to enjoy.

“I assumed it juggled around a little bit,” Riley said, introducing he requested the officials if it was a capture, and they explained they already verified it was. “I could have challenged it.”

The area place difficulty was part of a greater topic for the video game on Saturday, with the former rivals who haven’t satisfied considering that 2010 enjoying a tight activity that often felt a lot more like an outdated Large 8 contest.

Referring to Oklahoma CB D.J. Graham’s a person-handed interception on fourth down at the Faster 3-yard line in the fourth quarter Saturday, mentor Lincoln Riley explained he “might have been the to start with mentor in background to obstacle a play we got an interception on.” Kevin Jairaj/United states of america Nowadays Sporting activities

The sport highlighted two skipped industry objectives by Nebraska, one from Oklahoma and a blocked extra point by Nebraska that OU’s Pat Fields returned 100 yards for two details at the conclusion of the third quarter that stretched a 14-9 direct to 16-9.

Oklahoma led just 7-3 at halftime and scored its fewest factors in any activity less than Riley, snapping a streak of scoring at minimum 27 points at 65 game titles, the longest by any staff in the AP poll era (considering that 1936).

“It was a challenging-fought sport,” Riley explained. “You knew it would be. Bringing this match back again, most people sensed how specific it’d be. Each groups rose to the occasion. It was a difficult match that meant a lot to both educational facilities and the two fanbases.”

Quarterback Spencer Rattler was 24-of-34 passing for 214 yards, but his longest move went for just 23 yards. He also threw for a landing and additional another on the floor, while dashing for 35 yards.

“You will find an art to participating in QB mainly because you have so much manage of the video game choice-earning,” Riley said. “I thought he experienced a excellent truly feel on that. He truly failed to place the ball in hazard.”

Riley claimed Rattler responded much better on Saturday than he would’ve very last 12 months in his 1st yr as a starter, and that he experienced complete believe in in him and was adamant the offense would get condition.

“To participate in at an elite degree against, you have to be sharp,” Riley reported. “We’re just a tick off. We’re gonna get there, while. I assure you. We’re heading to get there shortly.”

With the sport settled, Graham’s incredible interception was getting most of the excitement afterward. Riley mentioned he wasn’t even shocked mainly because Graham routinely will make circus catches, and Rattler was questioned if he at any time lobbies for him to engage in on offense.

“I know he played receiver in higher school, and I listened to he was fairly good,” Rattler extra. “He does that all the time in practice. He’ll go up and make an Odell catch. He’s a ballhawk.”

And while Riley might’ve had a little issue with where he designed the capture, Graham’s defensive coordinator couldn’t carry himself to say he’d fairly he batted it down.

“I like takeaways much too a lot to convey to him to put it on the ground,” Alex Grinch stated.