Nebraska interim coach Mickey Joseph said practice during his first week leading the program was “quick” as the Cornhuskers tried to pick up the pieces after firing Scott Frost. And Nebraska got off to a fast start against No. 6 Oklahoma, scoring a touchdown on its first possession on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Casey Thompson to Trey Palmer. Nebraska interim head coach Mickey Joseph leads his team onto the field before a game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) And then everything came crashing down. NEBRASKA’S STRONG START TO 2022 SEASON RESULTS IN FIRED FAN REACTION Oklahoma scored a touchdown on five of its eight possessions in the first half, taking a 35-7 lead into the locker room at halftime and blanking the Cornhuskers 49-14 in Lincoln, Nebraska. It’s the lopsided victory for Oklahoma over Nebraska since 1990, according to the Associated Press. The nation’s sixth-ranked team rallied to start the second half, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions and putting the game on ice. NEBRASKA FOOTBALL LEGEND THROWS HIS COACH IN THE RING Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel finished the game 16-for-27 for 230 yards and two touchdowns and was replaced by backup quarterback Davis Beville in the third quarter. Oklahoma’s Marcus Major (24) runs for a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of a game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) “The way our guys came out in the first half … everything on both sides of the ball,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said after the game. “The first drive was a little shaky, but our guys responded. I liked the attitude and the hunger in the locker room at halftime and the way we came out in the third quarter and really shut the door on them.” A traditional rivalry, Saturday marked the first time Oklahoma played Nebraska since 2009 and just the third time the two teams have played in the last 13 seasons. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Oklahoma is in its first year under Venables, who took over after Lincoln Riley left for USC during the offseason. Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel runs the ball against Nebraska during the first half of a game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz) Nebraska’s Anthony Grant, who entered the game second in the nation in rushing yards, gained just 36 yards on 13 carries Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Casey Thompson was 14-for-20 for 129 yards and a touchdown before being replaced by Chubba Purdy in the third quarter. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Nebraska has a bye week before facing Indiana at home. Oklahoma opens its Big 12 schedule against Kansas State in Week 4. Joe Morgan is a sports reporter for Fox News.
