Oklahoma Cruises to Sugar Bowl Win Over Auburn
No. 7 Oklahoma rolled up 524 yards of offense against one of the SEC’s best defenses to secure a 35-19 Sugar Bowl victory over No. 14 Auburn. The Sooner offense was clicking all night, with Baker Mayfield throwing for 294 yards and two touchdowns while running back Joe Mixon added 180 total yards and two scores.
Oklahoma held a slim 14-13 lead at halftime before erupting for 21 unanswered points to ice the game. Auburn’s offense was never the same after starting quarterback Sean White left the game in the first half with a broken arm. His backups, Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III, combined to go just 8/16 for 128 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Tiger running back Kamryn Pettway rushed for 101 yards but the Tiger rushing attack, which averaged nearly 280 yards per game (sixth-best nationally) was held to just 185 yards.
The victory snapped Oklahoma's two-game bowl losing streak and earned the Sooners their ninth bowl win under coach Bob Stoops. Junior running back Samaje Perine rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on the night, passing Heisman winner Billy Simms as OU’s all-time leading career rusher (4,122 yards).