High-scoring Oklahoma and quarterback Baker Mayfield were shut out in the second half Thursday and lost to Clemson in the Orange Bowl national semifinal game, 37-17. The Sooners led at halftime, but only by the grace of their red zone defense, which held Clemson to one touchdown on four red zone chances in the first half.
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Heading into the Orange Bowl, the last thing the Oklahoma Sooners needed was an injury as they already have to prepare for a potent Clemson offense.
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Samoa was the first nation to see in 2016, with New Zealand the first nation with a sizeable population to celebrate the New Year. New York: Around 1 million people were expected to converge on New York City’s Times Square for the annual celebration.
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The defeat was the Sooners’ first since they were beaten by rival Texas in October.
Clemson sacked Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield on the first play, but the Sooners recovered quickly. Walker posted on his Instagram account earlier Thursday that he wouldn’t be playing, but added (via the Tulsa World), “I’ll be back for that national championship”. “It was just a matter of when”.
“For some reason, we were the underdog in the playoffs”, receiver Charone Peake said. “I think some of it, Coach (Lincoln) Riley along with the offensive coaches, we were helping a young inexperienced offensive line as well as a fullback and tight end to gel and come together in how they were identifying blocks and that took awhile”. Watson completed 16 of 31 passes for 187 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The Sooners went 75 yards in 10 plays, and Perine capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to open the scoring. Deshaun Watson is the best player on the field, but Oklahoma makes enough plays and gets it done.
While Watson thought it cool to be a Heisman finalist, Swinney said the trophy his quarterback truly wants “is the one they give to the last team standing”. “This guy is special in every regard”. Clemson is scheduled to play Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game on New Year’s Eve.
If Watson was flustered by that pick, he sure didn’t show it after the break. Running back Wayne Gallman had an impressive game of his own with 150 yards on 26 carries to go along with two touchdowns. Clemson blew out the Sooners 40-6, raising doubts about the direction of the program under longtime coach Bob Stoops.
This wasn’t just a beating.
Deshaun Watson is carrying the Tigers, rushing for 105 yards and throwing for 78 more so far.
So what about Oklahoma’s third-string running back?
The Tigers will face either Alabama or Michigan State for the national championship January 11.
The Orange Bowl is at 4 p.m. The Cotton Bowl is at 8 p.m (both times Eastern).
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Oklahoma meets Clemson at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. With 16 Pylon Cameras looking down at the goal line and sidelines, the area on the field where the most critical close calls can happen will be thoroughly covered for both games.
