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For all of Oklahoma's stifling defensive play in the 17-16 win over Texas A&M, Aggies freshman running back Michael Goodson nearly played gamebreaker on a pair of long runs.

Instead, cornerback Lendy Holmes and linebacker Curtis Lofton played game-savers.

Holmes raced all the way across the field to pull down Goodson after a 58-yard romp to the OU 13 in the first quarter. The defense then stiffened, forcing a field goal.

"However fast (No.) 3 is, and we know how fast he is… just a great effort play," Sooner defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "Tremendous teaching tool, why you don't ever give up on a play.

"And in the end, it makes a huge difference on the scoreboard."

Lofton, as it turns out, saved himself with a diving tackle to halt another Goodson run that went for 31 yards to the OU 26 in the fourth quarter. Again, A&M was forced to kick a field goal, its final points.

"That was his play to make in the first play, so he was making up for it," Venables said.

• Second-half slowdown: OU's offensive line opened gaping holes for running back Allen Patrick in the early going, leading to two scoring drives and 101 rushing yards for Patrick — in the first quarter. The success slowed in the second half, with the Sooners managing only 29 of its 224 rushing yards over the final two periods.

"Just us not executing as cleanly," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "And they did a better job of getting off blocks and playing physical."

The Aggies also made some adjustments, including going away from a 4-3-4 alignment added for the Sooners back to their customary 4-2-5.

"We just got back to our base defense," A&M safety Melvin Bu llitt said. "In some ways, (the 4-3-4) helped us on the edge, but in the middle of the field it hurt us."

Say what? After falling behind 14-3, the Aggies seized momentum and used a second-half push to pull within a point at 17-16.

"The whole time, we believed we were going to win," Bullitt said, "and it just broke our heart."

• Injury update: The Sooners emerged from a rugged game at A&M with some hurts, but no apparent major injuries.

On Sunday, Bob S toops said Patrick (ankle sprain) should be "fine" and offensive guard Brandon Walker (shoulder) was not believed to be serious. Walker, who left the game at one point, returned and finished on the field, as did linebacker Zach Latimer (neck).

By John Helsley