Oklahoma vs. Iowa State 2012: Sooners offense starts slow, recovers nicely

The Oklahoma Sooners' offense got off to a slow start against the Iowa St. Cyclones on Saturday, but it recovered and put up some points in the 38-20 win. The offense outscored Iowa State 28-13 through the second and third quarters.

Quarterback Landry Jones ended up with 405 yards with four touchdowns, but he also had a pair of interceptions, and then running back Brennan Clay rushed for 157 yards and a score. It just took those players to get going as they figured out the Iowa State defense.

M. Hofeld of Crimson and Cream Machine also points out the second quarter as being the key to Oklahoma getting the win:

Although both offenses would get in a rhythm in the final thirty minutes of the game, it was the second quarter where this game was won for Oklahoma and lost for Iowa State. The Sooners began the quarter with a 12 play, 90 yard, touchdown drive but then quickly put Iowa State in position to take control of the game. Had it not been for Oklahoma's defense this game could have easily gone the way of Kansas State and Notre Dame.

The defense also deserves some credit for keeping Oklahoma in this game during the first quarter as the offense was struggling to move the ball:

The Sooners held Iowa State to just 290 total yards and 4-of-13 on third downs. They harassed Cyclone quarterback Steele Jantz into three sacks and stalled six of ISU's eleven drives in five plays or less. Safety Tony Jefferson led all Sooner defenders with nine tackles and rocked two Cyclone receivers vicious hits that were absolute kill shots.

Oklahoma's defensive line recorded all three of the Sooners' sacks and the linebackers recorded 10 tackles. At times, the secondary struggled in coverage but, going back to the second quarter, they put OU in position to win.

Next week, Oklahoma will take on Baylor. The Sooners will need their offense to play well from the start to match Baylor's high-scoring offense.