Sugar Bowl, Auburn vs Oklahoma: Highlights, score and recap

The Oklahoma Sooners won the Big 12 this season, and on Monday night, they had their way with the Auburn Tigers in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

For all the talk about the Auburn Tigers run defense, the Oklahoma Sooners sure found the end zone quite a bit against them on Monday night. The Tigers had let up only one rushing touchdown during an 11-game stretch in 2016, but Oklahoma had the answer for them in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Sooners scored three touchdowns on the ground during their drubbing of the Tigers, leaving many wondering whether they should have been included in the College Football Playoff.

The game started off with Auburn scoring on the ground, as sophomore fullback Chandler Cox scored from one-yard out. However, that would be the only touchdown the team would score until the fourth quarter. Quarterback Sean White apparently broke his arm during the first drive of the game, but staying in to play most of the first half. He was eventually replaced by John Franklin III, who struggled throughout.

Oklahoma came into the game as one of the best offenses in the country, and they definitely put that on display on Monday night. Quarterback Baker Mayfield picked apart the Auburn secondary, and their running backs ran all over the Tigers defense. Oklahoma ran for over 200 yards against the Tigers, as they finished their season with a an 11-2 record. Mayfield was a Heisman finalist in 2016, as was wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who found the end zone to open the second half.

Samaje Perine made history on Monday night, as he moved past Heisman Winner Billy Sims for first place all-time on Oklahoma’s rushing list. Perine past Sims on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter, cementing his place in Sooners history. He and Joe Mixon ran all over the Auburn Tigers on Monday, and both should be playing in the NFL next season.

After a fairly tight first half, it was all Oklahoma in the second, as they blanked the Tigers 21-0. Not only did their defense play incredibly in the second half, but they controlled the ball throughout, showing why they were the Big 12 Champions this past season. The Sooners should be loaded once again in 2017, as quarterback Baker Mayfield will be looking to add a national title to his impressive resume.

Highlights

Three Stars Prediction

1. Joe Mixon

Mixon has had his off the field issues, but on Monday night, he ran like a man looking to make scouts turn their heads for the right reasons. Playing against one of the best run defenses in the country, Mixon had 91 yards on 19 carries, scoring twice. He also played a huge role in the passing game, as he led the Sooners with 89 receiving yards. Quite a performance for a player who was best known for the wrong reasons heading into Monday night.

2. Baker Mayfield

Start the Heisman campaign right now, as Baker Mayfield should challenge Louisville’s Lamar Jackson as the front-runner heading into the 2017 season. Mayfield was in complete control on Monday night, shredding the Auburn defense for nearly 300 yards in the game. The Sooners had it going through the air, and on the ground, and staked their claim as a possible top-5 team heading into next season.

3.Kamryn Pettway

We figured Pettway would have a good game against the Sooners, and he certainly did on Monday. Pettway was the only running back to eclipse the 100 yard mark, as he did so without much of a passing game taking the pressure off of him. He has really burst onto the scene in 2016, and should be one of the best backs in the SEC during the 2017 season.

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What’s Next?

The Oklahoma Sooners will open up the 2017 regular season at home against the UTEP Miners. Auburn will also begin their season at home, as they welcome the Georgia Southern Eagles to town.