Oklahoma Pushes Its Way Into Showdown for No. 1

NORMAN, Okla. —  Oklahoma was about to kick off to Nebraska for the sixth time Saturday, when a large orange balloon floated onto the field and landed at the feet of one of the Cornhuskers, tackle Todd Carpenter.

Carpenter fielded the balloon on one bounce and smothered it in his hands. The orange balloon burst, the same way Nebraska’s bubble had burst moments earlier when the Sooners took a 27-0 lead with a little more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

“Their offense gave up when we got our 27th point,” Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth said. “They were totally frustrated.”

When the Cornhuskers finally scored, it was their defense that did it. Defensive tackle Chris Spachman returned a fumble 76 yards for a touchdown with 26 seconds remaining. All that did was spoil the Sooners’ shutout in a 27-7 victory before a chilled crowd of 75,004 at Owen Field.

It did not spoil the Sooners’ post-game celebration, which was highlighted by an invitation from the Orange Bowl Committee to meet No. 1 Penn State on the night of Jan. 1 in Miami.

Nebraska, which finished the regular season 9-2, could still tie for the Big Eight championship if Oklahoma (8-1) loses next Saturday at Oklahoma State, which was eliminated from Orange Bowl consideration in a 15-10 loss Saturday at Iowa State.

But considering the score here Saturday, Orange Bowl official Stan Marks said his committee had little choice but to invite the Sooners to Miami.

Marks, president-elect of the Orange Bowl Committee, admitted he was disappointed in the outcome of this game, having eagerly anticipated a game between No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Nebraska for the national championship.

Depending on which poll you believe, he might still get his wish for a game to determine the No. 1 team. Oklahoma entered this game No. 5 in the Associated Press poll and No. 3 in the United Press International poll. The Sooners have two games remaining (they also play SMU) and could move up.

As for the Cornhuskers, they are going to meet Michigan on Jan. 1 in the Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, although Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne was hardly in a festive mood when he accepted the invitation.

“I’m sorry we didn’t play better,” he told Fiesta Bowl officials.

He said later that Oklahoma had something to do with that.

“We knew before we came down here they were a great football team, and I saw nothing today to change my mind,” he said. “They are probably the best team in the country now.”

That might be disputed by the Miami Hurricanes, who beat the Sooners, 27-14, five weeks ago at Norman, Okla. The Hurricanes must wonder if that has been forgotten by the coaches who vote in UPI’s poll, which has Oklahoma ranked ahead of Miami.

Oklahoma supporters say the loss to Miami came before the Sooners developed an offense that belonged on the same field with their defense, which leads the nation. They say it is no coincidence that the Sooners’ offense began to click after freshman quarterback Jamelle Holieway from L.A. Banning High School replaced injured starter Troy Aikman during the only loss.

Starting his fifth game, Holieway rushed for 110 yards in 25 carries against the Cornhuskers and scored on runs of 43 and 17 yards.

His 43-yard touchdown run came on Oklahoma’s third possession, when he cut upfield on an option play to the right, dodged one defender, broke a tackle, bounced off one of his blockers and then outran the final would-be tackler to the end zone.

It’s no wonder Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer said Holieway is the best running quarterback the Sooners have had in their wishbone offense.

“He’s like a little field mouse,” Nebraska defensive tackle Jim Skow said of the 5-foot 11-inch, 175-pound Holieway. “He stops and starts and darts.”

But the star Saturday was Keith Jackson.

No, not that Keith Jackson.

This is Oklahoma sophomore tight end Keith Jackson, who led all rushers with 136 yards in just three carries.

“I’ve never had a tight end lead the squad in rushing,” Switzer said.

For the record, Jackson also led the team in receiving. He caught the only pass the Sooners completed for 38 yards.

Jackson’s brightest moment came on the second play of Oklahoma’s second possession, when he took a handoff from Holieway on a tight-end around and ran 88 yards for the first touchdown.

“Against the Chicago Bears, that would have been a good play,” Nebraska linebacker Kevin Parsons said.

Acknowledging some outstanding blocking on the play, Jackson said, “When I turned the corner, everybody was falling down.”

Asked how fast he can run, Jackson said, “Whatever it takes to get to the end zone.”

On Oklahoma’s next possession, Switzer called a variation of the same play. This time, Jackson was supposed to pass. Finding no open receiver, he ran for 38 yards.

“He wanted to show off his scrambling ability,” Switzer said.

For their offensive efforts, the Sooners gained 461 yards, not bad considering the Cornhuskers entered the game with the nation’s third-leading defense. They had allowed an average of 260.9 yards a game. Oklahoma had almost that many yards, 246, by the end of the first quarter.

Oklahoma’s defense played up to its reputation. The Cornhuskers only threat in the first half came after wingback Von Sheppard ran 52 yards on a double-reverse to the Oklahoma six. After three more plays, Nebraska was still at the six. Dale Klein missed a 23-yard field goal.

The Cornhuskers tried freshman Steve Taylor from San Diego at quarterback in the second half, but he was no more effective than starter McCathorn Clayton. After Nebraska reached the Oklahoma two in the fourth quarter, Taylor fumbled the ball to the Sooners.

“They have as good a defense, I think, as they have ever had,” Osborne said. “That includes back when the Selmons (Lucious, Lee Roy and Dewey) were playing.”

The Sooners came within 26 seconds of shutting out the Cornhuskers for the first time since 1973, the last year all three Selmons played together at Oklahoma.

“Our defense deserved a shutout today,” Switzer said. “I think Nebraska knows that.”