Samaje Perine barrels through Texas for first touchdown in Red River Showdown (Video)
By John Buhler
Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine scores the first touchdown on the 2016 installment of the Red River Rivalry against the Texas Longhorns.
The first quarter of the 2016 Red River Rivalry between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns was a sloppy one. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions and Texas fumble the ball deep in their territory.
Capitalizing on a fumble deep in Texas territory, Oklahoma was finally able to get on the board with a two-yard Samaje Perine touchdown run. This put the Sooners up 7-3 on their biggest rival Texas late in the first quarter.
Samaje Perine powers his way to the endzone. #Sooners up 7-3 late in the first. pic.twitter.com/AnW1nc9pth
— Joe (@JoeBuettner) October 8, 2016
It’s been a rare defensive struggle in the early part of this huge Big 12 rivalry game. This league is known for its high-octane spread offenses, but it has been a low-scoring affair early in Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
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This is a must-win for both teams for different reasons. Texas head coach Charlie Strong is more on the hot seat than any head coach in the Power 5. He is a defensive coach with one of the worst defenses in the Big 12. Deciding to go up-tempo on offense has been to the detriment of his Texas defense. Strong has to beat Oklahoma or at least go 8-4 this regular season to get a fourth year in Austin.
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Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the Power 5. He has had great stability at Oklahoma, but has struggled to win the big game in recent years. Maybe either he or the Oklahoma athletic department may choose to go in a different direction next year? Back-to-back losses to Texas isn’t acceptable.