Game Overview: Oklahoma has won six National Championships. Northwestern went 47 years between bowl games. Perennial powerhouse meets perennial doormat. But this year is different. Northwestern is coming off Back-to-Back Big Ten Conference Championships (and Back-to-Back bowl games.) Oklahoma is coming off a 3-8 season - its first losing season in 31 years, and the Sooners haven't been to a bowl game since 1994.

Play Overview: Oklahoma stayed close in the first half, trailing 6-0 at the half. But Special Teams were the key to the Sooners' demise. Oklahoma missed two field goals, fumbled a kickoff return, and had punts of 6 and 21 yards. In the second half, backup quarterback Chris Hamdorf led Northwestern down field on a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive, eating almost seven minutes off the clock. A Sooner penalty on the two-point conversion attempt gave Northwestern a second chance and a 14-0 lead. The Wildcats never looked back, handing the Sooners their first shutout since Nebraska beat them 37-0 in 1995. Our featured play comes in the first half, with the score tied at zero. Northwestern halfback Adrian Autry went off tackle for a 16 yard gain and the Wildcats' first, first down. That led to kicker Brian Gowins' 27-yard field goal.

	Pict. 1 - Northwestern lines up with a single back, Autry (#32) and three receivers. Oklahoma's defensive front had been dominating the game throughout the beginning of the first quarter. The single back, three receiver formation is usually a passing formation and coach Gary Barnett was hoping Oklahoma would take the bait. As the ball is snapped, the two Wildcat tackles, Janus (#74) and LaBelle (#79) fall back into pass blocking position. Oklahoma's defensive front reads pass and rushes quarterback Tim Hughes (#8) full throttle. As the the rush comes, Hughes hands the ball to Autry (#32). Both Leeder (#69) and Stuart (#87) get out front and lead the way for a 16 yard gain for Autry.