DALLAS (FWAA) – The Oklahoma Sooners
scored the nation's best road win of the young season, going to
Columbus and upending Ohio State, 31-16. For giving first-year head
coach Lincoln Riley a signature win, the Sooners have earned the
Football Writers Association of America National Team of
the Week honor for games of the weekend of Sept. 9.
The announcement came on "Off Campus with Mark Packer"
on ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM. Each Monday during the season, the FWAA
National Team of the Week will be unveiled during the program, which
airs weekdays from 4-7 p.m. ET.
Baker Mayfield hit 27-of-35 passes and threw for 386 yards and
three touchdowns as Oklahoma (2-0) outpaced the Buckeyes in the
second half, 28-13, following a 3-3 halftime tie. Keyed by a fourth-down
stop and an interception late in the third quarter, Mayfield made
quick work of the opportunities, with scoring throws to Dimitri
Flowers, Lee Morris and Trey Sermon inside of eight minutes as the
Sooners took control.
"At halftime, our guys really believed. We felt we had outplayed
them and were on the verge of busing it open," Oklahoma head
coach Lincoln Riley said. "Our guys have a chip on their shoulder.
They have an edge about them. Wins like this on the road are the
most special to me. I love competing like this. It was a great environment."
The Sooners are riding a 12-game win streak – the longest active
streak in the FBS – and have won 12 straight true road games. Saturday's
win avenged the loss to Ohio State in Norman last season that was
a key part of its College Football Playoff credentials.
This is Oklahoma's sixth time to earn national team of the week
honors, and its first since 2015.
The other National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend
of Sept. 9 were:
• Georgia (2-0): The Bulldogs' held Notre
Dame to 55 rushing yards and 211 total yards, and came up with
a turnover late to seal a 20-19 road win in South Bend. Rodrigo
Blankenship kicked a 30-yard field goal with 3:34 left for the
winning points, bringing Georgia back to tie or take the lead
for the fourth time in the game.
• Washington State (2-0): The Cougars rallied
from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime,
then scored last on its third extra possession for a 47-44 win
in Pullman. Quarterback Tyler Hilinski came off the bench and
led the comeback, completing 25-of-33 passes for 240 yards and
three touchdowns, including the game-winner as Jamal Morrow
extended over the pylon at the end of a 22-yard reception.
The Football Writers Association of America has named a national
team of the week since the 2002 season. Members of the 12-person
FWAA All-America Committee – plus one fan vote from Twitter –
decide the weekly honor.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key
executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas
that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.
For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson
at tiger@fwaa.com.
2017 FWAA ALL-AMERICA
COMMITTEE |
Kirk Bohls |
Austin American-Statesman |
National |
Ken Capps |
TexasFootball.com |
C-USA |
Tim Griffin |
Cox Communications |
Big12 |
Clay Henry |
Hawgs Illustrated |
SEC |
Joey Johnston |
FanRag Sports |
American Athletic |
Bobby La Gesse |
Land of 10 |
Big Ten |
Stefanie Loh |
Seattle Times |
Pac-12 |
Nate Mink |
Syracuse Post-Standard |
ACC |
Matt Roberson |
Jonesboro Sun |
Sun Belt |
Phil Steele |
Phil Steele Publications |
Independents/Mountain West |
John Wagner |
Toledo Blade |
Mid-American |
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