University of Oklahoma Athletics

NORMAN – Oklahoma outgained South Carolina 291 to 254 in total yardage and 19 to 15 in first downs, but fell to the Gamecocks 35-9 Saturday afternoon at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The Sooners (4-3, 1-3 SEC) held the Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 SEC) to 74 rushing yards, more than 100 below their season average of 175.3 entering the game, and 1.8 yards per rush, but turned the ball over on each of their first three possessions, resulting in two defensive touchdowns and a 21-0 first quarter deficit. South Carolina added a field goal early in the second quarter before OU kicker Zach Schmit converted from 44 yards out with four minutes to play in the half. South Carolina found the end zone one more time to bring a 32-3 lead into the break.

Jackson Arnold hit Brenen Thompson for a 54-yard score midway through the third quarter but a failed two-point attempt kept the score 32-9. Arnold entered the game in the first quarter in relief of starter Michael Hawkins Jr., and completed 18 of his 36 passes for a season-high 225 yards and the lone touchdown.

South Carolina connected on a 33-yard field goal with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter for the game’s final three points.

OU’s defense matched its season high with six sacks and a totaled a season-high 11 tackles for loss, but surrendered nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Danny Stutsman registered a game-leading 16 tackles while Gracen Halton led the team with 1.5 sacks. The Sooners turned the ball over four times and did not generate a takeaway for the first time in a year, breaking a streak of 12 games with at least one takeaway. 

Jovantae Barnes rushed for a season-high 70 yards on 17 carries. True freshman wide receiver Jacob Jordan hauled in career-best marks of six catches and 86 yards on eight targets while playing in his second collegiate game. J.J. Hester caught four passes for 44 yards and Thompson finished with 59 yards and the score on his two grabs.

UP NEXT

Oklahoma travels to Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN or ABC.