Sue Ogrocki / AP

Oklahoma defensive back Jonathan Nelson, right, is congratulated by teammate Dominique Franks following his third-quarter interception against No. 11 Oklahoma State on Saturday.

The shutout was preserved when tight end Trent Ratterree tracked down Justin Gent from behind on a fumble return in the final minute, stripped the ball and recovered it. That allowed Oklahoma to run out the clock on its first shutout against a ranked team since a 12-0 win against Texas in 2004.

The Sooners have three shutouts in a season for the first time since 1986, when they had five.

“When he did that, I was like, ‘Yes! Thank you, man.’ We worked so hard to keep them with that goose egg, and he made a big play for us,” McCoy said.

Oklahoma’s Landry Jones finished 20 for 37 for 224 yards. He lost a fumble in the first quarter after a 59-yard punt return by Broyles set up first-and-goal at the 7-yard line.

A season riddled with injuries continued for the Sooners, who played without left tackle Trent Williams. The NFL prospect was the only player on Oklahoma’s offense who had started the first 11 games, and his absence left the team with only one of its starters on the line. Tight end Eric Mensik made his first career start on the offensive line to replace Williams.

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, also out for the season following shoulder surgery, appeared in a videotaped message before the game to thank fans and encourage them to support the Sooners. And receiver Corey Wilson, who injured his back in an offseason car accident, climbed out of his wheelchair and took a few steps with the aid of a walker at the end of Oklahoma’s senior day ceremony.

Neither team — or the referees, for that matter — gave the fans much to cheer for early on as the game was marred by fumbles and constant replay reviews, including one that required a second look for officials to get the down and distance correct. But while the Sooners made up for their early mistakes, OSU never got anything going.

“We certainly would have liked to have had the opportunity to be in that BCS picture, but we can’t do anything about that now,” Gundy said. “As I said earlier, at the end of the year, the bowl representatives in this league are going to pick teams that have competed for 12 games. You’ve got to play 12 games.”

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