NCAA Football: Sooners' winning streak broken by the Bears

Waco, Texas - The Baylor Bears came out on top of a tough game at home against their Big 12 Conference rivals the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, as potential college football playoff hopes were dashed in the process.

Bears wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (l) and tight end Ben Sims (r) celebrated a touchdown.
Bears wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (l) and tight end Ben Sims (r) celebrated a touchdown.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

The 13th-ranked Bears beat the eighth-ranked Sooners 27-14, snapping Oklahoma’s nine-game current season winning streak and an overall 17-game winning streak that dates back to last season.

With the loss, Oklahoma’s chances of ranking in the top four of the College Football Playoff (CFP) are now slim to none.

The Bears' defense forced Oklahoma’s starting quarterback into two picks, forcing the team's backup into the game with not much more success.

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Baylor also held Oklahoma’s point total to its lowest in seven years, a 2014 loss – coincidentally – also to Baylor.

The first half featured both teams taking time to get a grip on any momentum as they went into halftime with a 7-7 tie.

There was a bit more offensive success from Baylor in the third quarter with a field goal, but it was in the fourth where the Bears finally pulled away with 17 points to keep the Sooners down for good.

The player spotlight

Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon ran the ball in for a touchdown during the second half.
Bears quarterback Gerry Bohanon ran the ball in for a touchdown during the second half.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Baylor junior quarterback Gerry Bohanon (21) was the driving force behind his team’s offensive attack.

He almost single-handedly won the game for the Bears through the air and on the ground, and even came close to being the team’s leading rusher.

Bohanon had a hand in 21 of his team’s 27 total points in the game.

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He finished the day 12-for-21 passing, 117 yards, one touchdown, and one pick along with nine carries for 107 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

The big picture

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley still has a chance to get his team to another Big 12 championship game.
Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley still has a chance to get his team to another Big 12 championship game.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Despite the loss, the Sooners can still end their season on a high note.

They will have to win the last two games on their schedule to earn a spot in their conference title game, the Big 12 championship, where they can win a seventh-consecutive conference crown.

Next Saturday, the Bears will be on the road to take on the Kansas State Wildcats while the Sooners are back at home to face the Iowa State Cyclones.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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