Sooners Out Of National Title Race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ After a loss by Oregon earlier in the week, Oklahoma's path to yet another national championship game sure sounded simple. Win out and a trip to New Orleans seemed to be in the

Monday, November 19th 2007, 8:07 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ After a loss by Oregon earlier in the week, Oklahoma's path to yet another national championship game sure sounded simple. Win out and a trip to New Orleans seemed to be in the Sooners' grasp.

It got much trickier when starting quarterback Sam Bradford got hurt in the first quarter against Texas Tech, and now just getting to the conference championship game could be a complicated proposition for the 10th-ranked Sooners (9-2, 5-2 Big 12).

The status of Bradford and running back DeMarco Murray is in question as Oklahoma prepares to face rival Oklahoma State on Saturday with a trip to the Big 12 title game on the line.

Coach Bob Stoops balked at the idea the Sooners' 34-27 loss at Texas Tech Saturday was one of the more disappointing among his few losses in nine seasons at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma's offense sputtered for a while after inexperienced backup Joey Halzle replaced Bradford, who suffered a concussion while tackling a Tech player who recovered a fumble, and got on track in time to make it close at the finish.

The defense didn't provide much help either. While Halzle and the offense were still scuffling, Oklahoma gave up 27 consecutive points, including touchdowns on three straight Tech possessions.