10/17/21 12:22:00
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10/17 00:20 CDT No. 4 Oklahoma beats TCU 52-31 in Williams' starting debut
No. 4 Oklahoma beats TCU 52-31 in Williams' starting debut
BY JOE BUETTNER
Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) --- Caleb Williams had a big starting debut for No. 4
Oklahoma, throwing for 295 yards and four touchdowns and running for another
score in the Sooners' 52-31 victory over TCU on Saturday night.
The freshman from Washington, D.C., unseated Spencer Rattler as the starter
after leading a comeback victory over Texas last week in Dallas. He started
fast against TCU with an opening 75-yard touchdown drive that took just under
three minutes.
Williams didn't learn he was Oklahoma's starter until midweek. Riley said he
was ready to play either of his former blue-chip quarterbacks, if necessary,
against TCU.
"Caleb got the opportunity tonight, and obviously did a great job with it,"
Riley said. "I'm confident that had Spencer gotten the opportunity tonight with
the way he practiced, he would've played very well also. Thought the room
handled it great. Proud of those guys for a winning effort and being team-first
guys."
Williams was 18 of 23 and ran for 66 yards on nine carries. He had a 41-yard
scoring run, juking a defender at the line of scrimmage and taking off.
Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) began to pull away from TCU with three consecutive
touchdown drives to open the third quarter, including two touchdown connections
between Williams and receiver Jadon Haselwood.
Haselwood finished with 56 yards on a team-leading six catches. The third-year
Oklahoma receiver was impressed by his quarterback's poise, considering his
inexperience.
"He's a great leader for being a freshman. I don't think he ever feels
pressure," Haselwood said of Williams. "He's always in a good mood. Even last
week, he felt no pressure. Like no fear, and you can tell by the way he played.
Just a great kid. He can sling it, he can run, he can do whatever he needs to
do to get the ball downfield."
TCU quarterback Max Duggan had career bests with 336 yards passing and four
touchdowns. His leading receiver, Quentin Johnston, also had a career day with
185 yards receiving and three touchdown receptions.
The Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) were without running back Zach Evans, who
had a Big 12 second-leading 586 rushing yards and five touchdowns entering the
weekend.
TCU still had a chance early in the fourth quarter to cut OU's lead to one
possession, but punted after six plays and allowed OU to drain the clock to
1:09 on its final offensive series.
FROSH START
Williams joined an exclusive club on Saturday, becoming the Sooners' first true
freshman to start at quarterback since 1990.
The last Sooner to achieve the feat? Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Cale
Gundy.
Williams dazzled in his debut, setting OU true freshman records for both
single-game passing yards and touchdowns. He is just the fifth true freshman
quarterback to start for the program.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Sooners are 7-0 for the second time in the last three seasons and are
likely to move at least one spot higher in the Associated Press Top 25 after
No. 2 Iowa lost to unranked Purdue on Saturday.
THE TAKEAWAY
TCU: The Horned Frogs' offense was able to expose a banged up Sooners
secondary, which was without starting safety Delarrin Turner-Yell and
cornerback Woodi Washington. TCU couldn't keep pace, however, with a
reinvigorated Oklahoma team.
Oklahoma: Lincoln Riley has to feel validated with his decision to turn to
Williams, who had ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit questioning whether or not
Williams deserves Heisman Trophy attention on the ABC broadcast.
UP NEXT
TCU: Host West Virginia on Saturday.
Oklahoma: At Kansas on Saturday.
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