The Sooners played hard, played reasonably smart and had a chance for a historic win. After all, far better Oklahoma teams than this have lost to far worse Irish teams than this. Heck, this is the closest the Sooners have come to beating Notre Dame in the eight games other than OU's 40-0 rout in 1956. The Sooners had a chance to win this one, thanks to Brandon Daniels' kickoff returns. Daniels and Irish quarterback Jarious Jackson were the best players on the field.
Trouble is, kick returners get four or five shots a game.
Jackson took 76 snaps. OU quarterback Josh Heupel was sensational in September and wasn't all that bad Saturday. But Jackson is a 235-pound quarterback who ran for 107 yards and threw for 276. He reminded us what happens with quarterbacks who can run and throw. They send you home beaten, that's what.