This weekend’s matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles will feature two headline quarterbacks from the Big 12. The last time that Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts faced off against each other was during the 2019 college football season. Oklahoma came away with a thrilling 42-41 win at home and they were able to finish off their season with a college football playoff berth. Let’s take a look back at the last time Purdy and Hurts dueled it out:
Oklahoma Comes Out of the Gates on Fire:
Iowa State was coming a home loss against Oklahoma State as they were having a rocky start to their season. On the other hand, Oklahoma off a road loss against Kansas State. Both teams were looking to bounce back after losing in the prior week and this early November matchup would provide fireworks.
Oklahoma’s high-powered offense would be the first ones to step on the field and it only took them 1:18 to take an early lead in Norman. Jalen Hurts connected with CeeDee Lamb for a 48-yard touchdown to put the Sooners up 7-0 with 13:42 left in the first quarter.
Oklahoma’s defense would also get off to a great start after forcing Iowa State’s offense to a three-and-out. The Sooners were able to capitalize on their next drive as they were able to extend their lead. Hurts ran it in for an eight-yard touchdown to put Oklahoma up 14-0 on Iowa State.
Both offenses would be forced to punt on their next drive. Iowa State would be able to get on the board with a five-play, 88-yard touchdown drive to cut into the Sooners lead. Brock Purdy would find Tarique Milton for a 40-yard touchdown pass to put the score at 14-7 in favor of the Sooners with 4:21 left in the first quarter.
Oklahoma was able to answer Iowa State with a touchdown of their own as Hurts threw his second touchdown pass of the night. This time it was to Trejan Bridges for a seven-yard score to give Oklahoma a 21-7 lead. The Cyclones were unable to convert on their next offensive drive and they were forced to give Oklahoma the ball back.
Hurts would continue to shine as he connected with Lamb for yet another touchdown to give the Sooners a commanding 28-7 lead with 8:14 left in the second quarter. Iowa State would be able to answer as Purdy found Dylan Soehner for a 23-yard touchdown to cut into the Sooners lead by 14.
On the next two drives both offenses would be forced to a quick three-and-out. The Sooners were able to drive down the field before the half and find the endzone once more. Hurts ran it in for a six-yard touchdown to give Oklahoma the 35-14 lead going into the break.
Iowa State Storms Back in the Second Half, but Falls Short:
Iowa State was in need of a spark going into the third quarter as they trailed the Sooners by 21. The Cyclones were able to do just that on their first offensive possession coming out of the locker room. Purdy ran it in for a four-yard touchdown to cut into Oklahoma’s lead, 35-21, with 10:22 to go in the third quarter.
The defenses were able to step up on each team’s next drive as the two offenses had to punt it away quickly. Oklahoma would be able to extend their lead as Kennedy Brooks broke off a 48-yard touchdown run to give the Sooners a 42-21 lead with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter.
The back-and-forth battle would continue as the Cyclones were able to punch it in on their next drive that would finish up at the start of the fourth quarter. Purdy completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Chase Allen to put the score at 42-28 in favor of the Sooners.
Momentum would suddenly shift to Iowa State after they were able to recover a fumble from Lamb. The turnover set up the Cyclones to get back in the game, but their offense couldn’t convert on a fourth-and-goal from the Oklahoma 13-yard line.
Iowa State’s defense continued to get timely stops that way their offense can fight their way back into the game. It only took 1:07 for Purdy to connect with Sean Shaw Jr. for a 33-yard touchdown pass to cut into Oklahoma’s lead, 42-35, with 3:35 left to play.
With a first down conversion Oklahoma could have put the game away, but the Iowa State defense came up with another turnover. Hurts pass was intercepted by Lawrence White that gave the Cyclones a chance to go down the field and tie the game.
Iowa State was able to take advantage of the interception as Purdy found Charlie Kolar for a 13-yard touchdown to put the score at 42-41 in favor of the Sooners. Matt Campbell would decide to go for the two-point conversion with 24 seconds left, but Purdy’s pass was picked off for the two-point conversion to be unsuccessful.
The Cyclones only hope was to go for the onside kick, but it was recovered by Oklahoma. The Sooners would be able to kneel out the rest of the clock as they would survive 42-41.
Jalen Hurts (OU) Statline: 18/26, 273 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 22 CAR, 68 YDS, 2 TD
Brock Purdy (ISU) Statline: 19/30, 282 YDS, 5 TD, 15 CAR, 55 YDS, 1 TD
