The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 29

SECTION THE rr- Final 2 rfoysf mmrom eleveii MORE SPORTS IN SECTION OKI Al IONIAN Byron Houston's lonesome road Football Sunday NewsOK.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2003 State Big XII Top 25 37 Dominating STAFF PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY Oklahoma State receiver Rashaun Woods is pulled down by Nebraska's Pat Ricketts. Bumps in road corral Cowboys DIRTY DOZEN OSU drove 52 yards for a touchdown on its first posession. The Cowboys' remaining 12 drives ended badly, including five with turnovers and one with a blocked field goal: Time of Plays Yards Poss. Result 5 12 1:59 Punt 8 41 2:28 Blocked FG 6 8 2:09 Punt 1 0 0:05 Interception 1 19 0:01 Half 4 (-3) 1:40 Interception 2 1 0:47 Fumble 3 (-1) 2:20 Punt 4 4 0:56 Fumble 10 37 5:06 Punt 3 4 1:00 Punt 3 0 0:28 Interception STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE GOOCH By John Helsley Staff Writer LINCOLN, Neb. In retro-retrospect, maybe the season opener wasn't such a swell spot for Oklahoma State to play at Nebraska.

The answer of who had the advantage OSU's veteran team riding the confidence and momentum from an eight-win season or Nebraska's squad, at home and with something to prove coming off the embarrassment of the school's worst season in four decades was clear. Now we know. OSU's touted offense appeared ill-prepared for a big-game challenge, shut out over the final 51 minutes Saturday in a 17-7 loss. "We should have scored more than seven points," said Cowboys receiver Rashaun Woods, who had his worst game in more than a season. "It's very disappoint ing.

That's all I can say. See OSU, Page 6-C OU defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek celebrates in the rain in the first quarter. The Oklahoma defense held North Texas to 154 yards and 1 1 first downs. Defense superb, White impressive for OU INSIDE Oklahoma State's offense faced all sorts of problems, from the line to quarterback Josh Fields. Page 6-C.

Statistics from Saturday's game. Page 6-C. Nebraska's defense corrected the problems it had last season against the Cowboys. Page 7-C. OPENING AS NO.

1 After Saturday's win over North Texas, Oklahoma is 9-0 in openers when ranked No. 1. (In 1985, Oklahoma was the preseason No. 1 but fell to No. 2 before its first game): 1954: 1956: 1957: 1974: 1975: 1986: 1987: 2002: 2003: Oklahoma 27, California 13 Oklahoma 36, North Carolina 0 Oklahoma 26, Pittsburgh 0 Oklahoma 28, Baylor 11 Oklahoma 62, Oregon 7 Oklahoma 38, UCLA 3 Oklahoma 69, North Texas 14 Oklahoma 37, Tulsa 0 Oklahoma 37, North Texas 3 Pokes could have won without stellar showing LINCOLN, Neb.

The weather Saturday turned stunningly cool here in the Heartland. So By George Schroeder Staff Writer NORMAN Two plays best defined top-ranked Oklahoma's 37-3 romp past North Texas on Saturday night. As an Owen Field-record 83,073 fans watched, a retro-clad band of Sooners answered several preseason questions. And those two plays told the story. Neither counted.

Early in the third quarter, with the eventual outcome already long decided, OU faced fourth-and-six from the North Texas 30. Pressured heavily, Jason White scrambled left, then threw a dart on the run to Travis Wilson, who spun away from defenders and into the end zone. The play was called back for holding. But it appeared to serve notice that the senior quarterback had fully recovered from knee surgery and any residual rust. White completed 23 of 35 passes for 248 yards, with three touchdowns and one late interception.

But perhaps the biggest question going into a season filled with sky-high expectations whither White? might have been answered on that play. "He looked like his old self out there creating some plays," OU coach Bob Stoops said. The quintessential Mean Green moment occurred earlier, when quarterback Scott Hall's desperation fling as he avoided heavy pressure found Nick Zu-niga wide-open. INSIDE If the opener is any indication, it will be another solid season for OU's defense. Page 10-C.

Statistics from Saturday's game. Page 10-C. Jenni Carlson: Jason White answered a lot of questions. Page 11 -C. North Texas players say they only have themselves to blame.

Page 11 -C. Notes from Norman. Page 11-C STAFF PHOTO BY TY RUSSELL Berry Tramel OU quarterback Jason White threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns. did the championship hopes of two Big 12 football teams. In the Memorial Stadium temple where a state worships a sport, Oklahoma State and Nebraska both played themselves out of title contention.

OK, OK. You're right. That's not fair. OSU still could rally to the summit. That's what was so maddening for the Cowboys on Saturday.

In the snakepit where few squadrons emerge with hair on their head, OSU could have won without a benchmark performance. Nebraska is nothing special. That's hard to say about kind souls who, other than the scoreboard, treat visitors so well. And it's dang near impossible to utter for those of us reared watching the Corn machine churn out quality football decade after decade. But it's the truth.

See TRAMEL, Page 7-C CI the ball real well," said North Texas junior tailback Patrick Cobbs, a Tecumseh High graduate. "It seems like they were everywhere." OU's performance was better than in opening wins of recent vintage. A year ago, OU's halftime lead over See OU, Page 12-C Problem: Zuniga is North Texas' right guard. As whistles blew and flags flew, the offensive lineman an ineligible receiver spiked the ball in disgust, drawing more flags. It was that kind of night for North Texas, which struggled to find any room against a swarming Sooner defense.

"They're pretty quick, and they fly to OSU with its 17-7 loss to the Huskers; Nebraska with its revelation of more mediocrity. Missouri ET rback I totatcoverage Missouri beats Illinois Darius Outlaw caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Brad Smith with 4:12 remaining to give Missouri a 22-15 victory over Illinois in the season opener Saturday. Illinois outgained Missouri 422-224; but missed a chance to tie it late, running out of downs at the Missouri 23. Southern Cal blanks Auburn Southern California used a smothering defense and ball-control offense to turn a hyped matchup with sixth-ranked Auburn into an ugly mismatch. The eighth-ranked Trojans in their first game without last season's Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer looked less showy but every bit as dominating in beating the Tigers 23-0 Saturday night.

NEWS9 TheOklahoman NewsOK.com Watch NEWS 9 On the Oklahoma Sports Blitz, Dean and John analyze the Sooners' and Cowboys' season openers. Tonight at 10:20 Auburn's Marquies Gunn.