Sooners claim title through air

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Oklahoma’s ground game got the eighth-ranked Sooners to the Big 12 title game. The Sooners went to the air Saturday night to reach the Bowl Championship Series.

Paul Thompson threw two touchdown passes to Malcolm Kelly and led the longest scoring drive in Big 12 championship history, leading Oklahoma to a 21-7 victory over No. 19 Nebraska.

Kelly’s 142 yards receiving on 10 catches broke the previous title game record of 140 yards, set by Kansas State’s Darnell McDonald in 1998.

The Sooners (11-2), who forced five turnovers – another championship game record – won their fourth Big 12 title and earned a berth in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day. Strong safety Reggie Smith had two of Oklahoma’s takeaways, including a fumble recovery that set up the Sooners’ first score.

The Cornhuskers (9-4), who were in the conference championship game for the first time since 1999, will play in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1.

Backed up at his 1-yard line in the third quarter, with Oklahoma clinging to a 14-7 lead and Nebraska building momentum with every defensive stop, Thompson was 6 for 8 for 95 yards on an 11-play, 99-yard drive. It ended with his 3-yard pass to Kelly that made it 21-7.

The Sooners also picked up the fastest score in Big 12 title game history when Allen Patrick scored on a 2-yard run just 48 seconds in.

Nebraska punter Dan Titchener set a championship game record with six punts inside the 20.