Sooners offense dominates first half as OU leads 28-17

Freshman running back John Lovett looks for a hole against Oklahoma senior strong safety Steven Parker Jr. Lovett rushed for 18 yards in the first half as Baylor trails Oklahoma 28-17 at intermission.

Oklahoma leads Baylor 28-17 at halftime at McLane Stadium.

Baylor sophomore quarterback Zach Smith went 16-of-19 for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Oklahoma scored a touchdown on four of their seven offensive possessions.

The Sooners out-gained the Bears 202-179 in the air and 110-36 on the ground.

Senior kick returner Jeff Badet returned the opening kickoff 64 yards to set up Oklahoma’s offense at the Baylor 35-yard line.

On third down in the Baylor red zone, senior quarterback Baker Mayfield completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Mark Andrews to give the Sooners an early 7-0 lead.

On the next Oklahoma possession, Mayfield led the Sooners 75 yards downfield in just three plays, capped off by a 52-yard touchdown pass to senior fullback Dimitri Flowers to give Oklahoma a 14-0 advantage.

The Bears responded with a 13-play, 58-yard drive to reach field goal range, but sophomore kicker Connor Martin couldn’t connect on a 35-yarder.

After forcing and Oklahoma punt, sophomore punt returner Tony Nicholson returned it 42 yards to the Oklahoma 32-yard line, but the Bears received the ball at the 19-yard line after a late hit penalty was called on Sooner sophomore cornerback Parnell Motley.

On the first play of the drive, Smith completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Denzel Mims to make it a 14-7 game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Badet fumbled and recovered at the 1-yard line, but sophomore running back Abdul Adams exploded for a 99-yard rushing touchdown to give the Sooners a 21-7 lead.

The Bears marched down the field again and this time Martin was able to convert on a 32-yard field goal to cut the Oklahoma lead to 21-10 in the second quarter.

Mayfield continued to connect with his receivers downfield, resulting in a five-play, 78-yard scoring drive that saw Flowers punch it in on a 3-yard rush to give Oklahoma a 28-10 lead.

On a third down from the Baylor 29-yard line, Smith completed a pass to Mims, who broke away from his defender and ran it in for the 71-yard score to make it a 28-17 lead.

Baylor will receive the second half kickoff.