University of Oklahoma Sooners Fall to Seminoles in Cheez-It Bowl

Sooners Fall to Seminoles in Cheez-It Bowl | University of Oklahoma

By Press release submission

Jan 2, 2023

No. 13 Florida State kicked a 32-yard field goal with 55 seconds left in the game to win the Cheez-It Bowl 35-32 over Oklahoma Thursday evening at Camping World Stadium.

The Sooners, which had three first-time freshman starters on offense, registered 496 total yards, including 253 rushing yards. Jovantae Barnes rushed for a season-high 108 yards and a touchdown and fellow true freshman Gavin Sawchuk rushed for 100 yards and a score in his first significant playing time of the season.

The freshman rushing duo was OU's first with 100 yards in the same game since 1985 when Eric Mitchel rushed for 135 yards and Leon Terry rushed for 132 yards against Iowa State.

Dillon Gabriel completed 14 of 24 passes for 243 yards and a 22-yard touchdown to Jalil Farooq to give Oklahoma a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. Gabriel leapt into the end zone from eight yards out on OU's next possession to increase the lead to 14-3.

"Incredibly proud of our team," head coach Brent Venables said. "Disappointed for them in the loss. As I told them going into the game not going to play the scoreboard. I want to see fight. I want to see guts. I want to see courage. I want to see toughness. I want to see physicality, not perfection, all right. I want to see belief. We saw that tonight from our guys."

Florida State cut it to 14-11 when quarterback Jordan Travis hit Ontaria Wilson for a 16-yard touchdown and added a two-point conversion. OU added a 41-yard Zach Schmit field goal with 15 seconds left in the half to take a 17-11 lead into the break.

OU lost its lead with 5:33 to play in the third quarter when FSU scored to go ahead 18-17, but Sawchuk put the Sooners back in front, 25-18, on a 15-yard touchdown run. It was his first career rushing score.

The Seminoles scored two straight touchdowns to move ahead 32-25 with 7:22 remaining, but Barnes capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 12-yard rush to tie the game 32-32 with 3:37 to play. FSU took the next 2:42 off the clock before kicking a field goal to go up 35-32.

Marvin Mims Jr. had two receptions for 77 yards, including a 46-yarder – his 19th career reception of at least 40 yards. Farooq finished with four catches for 59 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season. Fifth-year senior tight end Brayden Willis had 58 yards on four receptions.

Fifth-year senior DaShaun White led the Sooners with eight tackles. Danny Stutsman notched seven solo stops, a sack, a pass breakup and a QB hurry.