EUGENE, Ore. — Late Saturday afternoon, Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson admitted what many Sooners apparently were thinking: Eugene felt a lot like Lubbock.
Twice in the final 66 seconds, officials reviewed replays of controversial calls. Both calls — an onside kick and a subsequent pass interference call — went for the home team. Like in a controversial loss last season at Texas Tech, the Sooners believed the on-field calls should have been overturned.
"I definitely feel that way," Thompson said. "I don't want to say nothing right now because I'm kind of heated."
Trailing 33-27 after a touchdown with 1:12 seconds left, the Ducks executed an onside kick to perfection. Or did they?
OU receiver Malcolm Kelly moved forward and leaped for the high kick. So did several Ducks. A mad scrum ensued.
Replays confirmed OU running Allen Patrick pounced on the ball when it squirted from the pile — before officials converged. Patrick walked away holding with the ball as officials looked for it.
But officials awarded the ball to Oregon. Before the play was reviewed, OU coach Bob Stoops said he told the officials, who were part of a