Oklahoma Football: 3 takeaways from win over Nebraska

One of the most historic rivalries returned to prominence on Saturday with Oklahoma football holding off Nebraska for a 23-16 victory.

For the first time since 2010, one of the great rivalries in NCAA history took a national stage once again. With the 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century approaching, it only made sense for these proud schools to go at it.

It was a quiet first half for both teams offensively. Nebraska struggled to sustain drives due to penalties while Oklahoma football could not find a big play to breakout.

The Sooners kicked off the day with a 14-play, 75 yard touchdown drive that lasted for nearly seven minutes. With that drive and Spencer Rattler starting off 6 for 6, it looked like Nebraska was in serious trouble.

Rattler would go 2 for 7 after that start, and the Sooners started to look sluggish on the offensive side of the ball. Oklahoma football would hold on to just a 7-3 lead at halftime, but would turn up in the second half.

The Sooners had two 10-play touchdown drives in the second half that ate up the clock and featured some big plays that were previously lacking. Rattler was far more poised and got help from a rushing attack that averaged 5.5 yards per carry.

Adrian Martinez and the Huskers would not go down quietly, as they kept this game within reach throughout the day. Had it not been for penalties and special team mishaps, they would have had a serious chance to pull off this upset.

In the end, Oklahoma was able to get two sacks on the final drive to keep Nebraska out of the end zone and win by a score of 23-16.

With the return of this historic rivalry, what did we learn about the current state of the Sooners?