DALLAS (FWAA) The Oklahoma Sooners changed the outlook of the Big 12 Conference and likely the national playoff race as well with a 44-34 win at Baylor to improve to 9-1. Oklahoma contained one of the nation·s top offenses and snapped Baylor·s 20-game home win streak to earn the AutoNation National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Nov. 14.
The Sooners held Baylor under its season averages in total offense, limiting the Bears to 416 total yards (250 below its 665.6 average) and 257 yards passing (100 yards below its 356.8 average), while also limiting them to a season-low 34 points. Oklahoma forced five three-and-outs by a Baylor offense known for its quick-strike ability and handed the Bears their first loss at the two-year-old McLane Stadium.
"You go into the number six team's backyard on a night like this and play this way, it just tells you that we're one of those teams that has a chance at everything," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "We're just going to keep trying to improve and give yourself an opportunity next week to play just as well or better. Again, you come into an undefeated team ranked that high, waiting on you, and win by 10. Its got to be a positive."
Oklahoma surpassed the 500-total-yard mark (with 511) for a fifth consecutive game in part behind quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Sterling Shepard, who connected 14 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Mayfield tossed three touchdowns in all and added one on the ground. He finished 24-of-34 for 270 yards, recording his fifth game this season with at least three passing touchdowns and at least one rushing score. It was Mayfield's seventh time to account for at least four touchdowns in a game, which leads the nation.
This is the fifth time for Oklahoma to win the National Team of the Week Award since its debut in 2002.
Other AutoNation National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Nov. 14 included:
Arkansas (6-4): The Razorbacks won at No. 9 LSU, 31-14, in front of 101,399 fans, taking consecutive games from the Tigers for the first time since 2007-08. Arkansas rolled up 440 yards of total offense · 299 of it on the ground · while its defense limited LSU to 330 yards with five sacks and an interception.
New Mexico (6-4): The upstart Lobos put themselves in position to win the Mountain West Conference·s Mountain Division for the first time with a 31-24 win at Boise State. It was UNM·s first win over the Broncos in the seven-game series, and came on the road where Boise State was 96-4 in its previous 100 home games. The Lobos are 6-5 in their last 11 conference games after going 5-41 in the previous 46.
As part of AutoNations history of charitable involvement, AutoNation will donate $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in the University of Oklahoma's name. This charitable college football initiative culminates with the AutoNation Cure Bowl, a new post-season NCAA football game that kicks off bowl season at the Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla., and will be aired by CBS Sports Network. The aptly named AutoNation Cure Bowl also serves as a fund raiser for the BCRF, CharityWatch's only A+ rated breast cancer organization in the country.
"We want to celebrate the very best of college football, while also helping to raise awareness for the importance of finding a cure for cancer," says AutoNation CMO Marc Cannon. "This season-long partnership with the FWAA, leading up to the AutoNation Cure Bowl, puts a spotlight on a cause that we're determined to tackle."
"In our 75th season of existence, this a marvelous platform to get our players and the team of the week series excellent exposure as well as helping AutoNation in its effort to fight cancer and contribute to the educational funds of deserving student-athletes," said FWAA 2015 President Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald. "It is very exciting to be able to help our organization as well as others in this splendid effort."
The Football Writers Association of America has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. This is the first season AutoNation has presented the award. Members of the FWAA All-America Committee decide the weekly honor. Each remaining Monday during the 2015 college football regular season, the FWAA will name a National Team of the Week. Members of the FWAA All-America Committee decide the weekly honor.
AutoNation is also the presenting sponsor of the FWAA's national offensive and defensive players of the week announced each Tuesday, the 2015 FWAA All-America Team and the 75th Anniversary FWAA All-America Team. The 2015 AutoNation FWAA All-America Team will be announced at the AutoNation Cure Bowl on Dec. 19.
About AutoNation, Inc.:
AutoNation is transforming the automotive retail industry through bold leadership. We deliver a peerless automotive retail experience through our customer-focused sales and service processes. Owning and operating 293 new vehicle franchises, which sell 35 new vehicle brands across 15 states, AutoNation is America's largest automotive retailer, with state-of-the-art operations and the ability to leverage economies of scale that benefit the customer. As an indication of our leadership position in our industry, AutoNation is a component of the S&P 500 Index.
About the AutoNation Cure Bowl:
The AutoNation Cure Bowl a new post-season NCAA football game whose net proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The AutoNation Cure Bowl takes place December 19 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and will be broadcast by CBS Sports Network. The bowl is scheduled to involve teams from the American Athletic and Sun Belt conferences.
About the Football Writers Association of America:
Founded in 1941, the FWAA consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.