NFL Draft News & Analysis

Oklahoma-Iowa State grades: Mayfield efficient in Sooners win

AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes the ball in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on November 3, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The Oklahoma Sooners won 34-24 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Baker Mayfield;

Here are the key takeaways and highest-graded players from Oklahoma’s 34-24 victory over Iowa State.

Oklahoma Sooners

QB Grade: Baker Mayfield, 79.6

Mayfield efficient in Sooners win

Oklahoma got a solid, efficient performance out of their star QB on Thursday night in Iowa. Mayfield completed all but two passes, going 22 of 24 for 263 yards on throws that traveled fewer than 20 yards in the air. Mayfield completed just one of seven throws that traveled beyond 20 yards in the air, but one of those incompletions was a drop. Mayfield was superb when given time to throw, completing 19 of 26 throws for 264 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 143.7 QB rating when throwing from a clean pocket; his passer rating dropped to 84.7 when throwing under pressure.

Top offensive players

T Orlando Brown, 81.0
G Ben Powers, 81.0
WR Dede Westbrook, 79.3
T Bobby Evans, 79.1
HB Dimitri Flowers, 75.6 

Mayfield-Westbrook connection continues to roll 

Maybe the most electric QB-WR combo of the past six weeks kept things going in Iowa on Thursday. Dede Westbrook hauled in seven of 10 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, Mayfield had a 145.6 QB rating when targeting him; Geno Lewis had an efficient game as well catching six of seven targets for a total of 59 yards. On the offensive line, Brown, Powers and Evans combined to allow just four total pressures all game (all four being hurries) with all three of them receiving positive marks as run blockers.

Top defensive players 

CB Jordan Thomas, 80.0
DI D.J. Ward, 77.9
ED Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, 76.8
S Ahmad Thomas, 73.6
LB Caleb Kelly, 75.3

Quiet but solid performance from the defense 

There were no other-worldly performances from the Sooner defense on Thursday night but there were certainly some worth highlighting. Jordan Thomas allowed five catches on eight targets but gave up just 31 yards total on those catches, he also had two pass defenses on the day, with both of those coming while matched up against Allen Lazard (who caught three passes on six targets for 18 yards while being covered by Thomas). Okoronkwo led the Sooner defense with four total pressures, gaining them on just 15 pass rush attempts and D.J. Ward led the defense with six stops.

Iowa State Cyclones

Quarterback grade: Jacob Park, 54.5

Park struggles to move the ball downfield

When the ball traveled less than ten yards in the air, Park was quite efficient on Thursday, completing 13 of 15 balls on such throws; he completed just two passes beyond ten yards though on 10 attempts. Oklahoma only managed to pressure Park on nine of his drop-backs, but the pressure was effective as Park completed just two of seven throws for a total of 11 yards while throwing from a tainted pocket.

Top offensive players 

WR Allen Lazard
G Patrick Scoggins, 69.9
HB Kene Nwangwu, 69.3
WR Dondre Daley, 67.3
HB David Montgomery, 62.0

Rough night in the trenches for Iowa State offense 

RG Patrick Scoggins did not allow a single pressure in pass protection on Thursday, but the other four members all allowed multiple pressures, with Brian Seda and Brian Bobek combining for six pressures allowed between just the two of them. No members of the line had a particularly good night in the run blocking game either with both tackles, Nick Fett and Julian Good-Jones struggling especially, each finishing with run blocking grades of 36.8 and 36.9, respectively. Allen Lazard was the Cyclones most targeted receiver, hauling in six of 11 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown; David Montgomery and Kene Nwangwu combined to earn 39 of their 69 rushing yards for the night after contact.

Top defensive players

CB Jomal Wiltz
CB Brian Peavy, 78.8
LB Brian Mills, 78.5
LB Josh Jahlas, 72.4
ED Spencer Benton, 65.4

Wiltz with standout performance for Cyclones defense

It’s not often that you see a cornerback lead his team in terms of run defense grade but that’s what Jomal Wiltz did Thursday night, with an 83.2 grade in run defense; in coverage he allowed two catches for 29 yards but was targeted just one other time. LB Brian Mills tied with Wiltz for a team-high three stops against the Sooners; Spencer Benton made efficient use of his limited pass-rush snaps, gaining two total pressures (including a sack) on just eight pass-rush opportunities.

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