Oklahoma beats Baylor 49-41: 3 things we learned

It almost all got away from them as the Sooners had to dig deep into their bag of tricks before escaping McLane Stadium with a 49-41 triumph over winless Baylor.

The victory wasn’t settled until Caleb Kelly recovered Baylor quarterback Zach Smith’s fumble with 1:24 left in the game.

The triumph over the Bears likely won’t resonate with the pollsters. It could even result in a drop in the Sooners’ No. 3 ranking when they ballots are released on Sunday.

But the Sooners persevered and won Saturday night, stretching their nation-best winning streak to 14 consecutive games. It also enabled them to break a school record with 14 consecutive games with at least 30 points.

Here are three things we learned about the Sooners Saturday night:

1. Baker Mayfield can back his comments up with the best of them.

Mayfield taunted Baylor players before Saturday’s games saying he was their “daddy” and he would spank them later in the game.

Despite those promises, Mayfield struggled for the first three quarters of the game. It led to Baylor students to start chanting “overrated” at Mayfield and his teammates early in the second half.

Mayfield picked up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct for some on-the-field comments.

But that just got him started. Mayfield hooked up with Jeff Badet on a 48-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play after the penalty that gave Oklahoma the lead for good.

In the past, Mayfield might have continued jawing. But after the touchdown pass, Mayfield walked off the field without saying a word.

1. Trey Sermon’s entry turned the game around.

After failing to produce a carry in the first three quarters Saturday night, the Sooners led on their powerful freshman running back.

Sermon was ready for the challenge. He scored on a 34-yard touchdown run to provide Oklahoma with a two-score lead. And he then raced on a 60-yard run on the next drive that set up his clinching 9-yard touchdown on the following play.

His insertion spurred an attitude change that helped turn the game around.

1. Lincoln Riley’s sideline histrionics still have an effect with his team.

When Baylor climbed back in the game late in the third quarter, Riley made a point to bring all of his offensive players together along the Oklahoma sidelines. His animated discourse was a coaching ploy the new coach hasn’t shown this season.

After that confab was over, Riley pulled Mayfield and Orlando Brown to the sidelines for more inspiration.

The Sooners took to the ground and reeled off 21 consecutive points to take control. They used running plays on 14 of their next 16 plays to ice the triumph.