Tawee Walker helps No. 18 Oklahoma fend off SMU

Tawee Walker ran for a career-high 117 yards to help No. 18 Oklahoma to a 28-11 victory over SMU on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

Walker, a junior walk-on who is surprisingly co-No. 1 running back to start the season, had not rushed for more than 44 yards in a game Saturday.

Walker also had three catches for 25 yards. Before Saturday’s game, he had just one career reception.

Dillon Gabriel threw for 176 yards and four touchdowns on 19 of 27 passes for the Sooners (2-0).

Preston Stone was 26 of 45 passing for 250 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Mustangs (1-1).

Jaylan Knighton rushed for 76 yards on 16 carries, while Jake Bailey had seven catches for 73 yards for SMU.

The Mustangs closed within three early in the fourth quarter, one play after Oklahoma freshman Peyton Bowen was called for pass interference in the end zone.

Stone hit Stone Eby — who is listed as an offensive lineman — for a touchdown.

SMU made it 14-11 after Stone Bailey converted with two points.

But then the Sooners put together their most impressive drive of the night, overcoming two major penalties and reaching the end zone on a 21-yard reception from Jalil Farooq that made it 21-11.

Oklahoma looked like it had found the end zone four plays earlier on Marcus Major’s apparent 24-yard reception, but the score was negated by an ineligible receiver downfield.

The Sooners were later charged with a false start just before Gabriel Farooq scored for the touchdown.

With 6:40 to play, Gabriel Major hit for a 27-yard touchdown, but after the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs, the game was still over.

SMU kicker Collin Rogers missed a 49-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half, sending the Sooners into the locker room up 14-3.

After outscoring the Sooners 232-168 in the first half, the Mustangs were outscored 197-135 after halftime, turning the ball over twice.

Andrel Anthony and Blake Smith had touchdown catches for Oklahoma in the first half.

—Field-level media