<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HkUwZ_0vGremmL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HkUwZ_0vGremmL00" width="1093" height="572" >The season opener wasn't perfect, but it was still a win of significant margin for Oklahoma. The Sooners took care of the <a href="https://247sports.com/college/temple/">Temple Owls</a> through a 51-3 final score.It's now time to break this one down '247Sports' style. Here are the key plays, players and statistics from the action:TWO KEY PLAYERSOffensive MVP- <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/deion-burks-46053642/">Deion Burks</a> is who we thought he was. The first <a href="https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/">Oklahoma</a> player in program history to score three touchdowns in his debut. There were moments in this game where it was quite clear Burks was the best player on the field. Going into this season, it was well established Burks had the chance to be the centerpiece of OU's offense. The start to the year only reinforced this concept.Defensive MVP- <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/gracen-halton-46097719/">Gracen Halton</a> put together a performance that might lay the foundation for a breakout season. The talented defensive tackle finished with three tackles, two solo takedowns, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/brent-venables-168/">Brent Venables</a> talked after the game about Halton taking the next step as a player, both on-and-off the field. The Sooners' head coach feels Halton is doing what it takes to be an impact player at this level, a glimpse of that in this first game certainly an encouraging indicator.<a href="https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/join/?promo=QUICKLINKS">***</a><a href="https://247sports.com/college/oklahoma/join/?promo=QUICKLINKS">SALE OF THE YEAR: GET -75% OFF- YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO SOONERS ILLUSTRATED BY CLICKING HERE!!!***</a>FOUR KEY MOMENTS:The first drive- On the opening offensive series, to say the Sooners went down the field with ease would be an understatement. Oklahoma spent seven plays on 76-yards gained and found the endzone their first possession.A key injury- The aforementioned opening series for the Sooners brought plenty of early optimism to the table for OU's offense. But once starting center <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/branson-hickman-46081848/">Branson Hickman</a> went down to injury, everything changed. Oklahoma never really looked the same after losing a leader in the middle of an unknown offensive line, this moment really altering the outlook of an entire unit for the Sooners. Hickman sprained his ankle, tried to return but couldn't make it back, his timetable to get back on the field isn't fully established.A sequence of summarization- Maybe a stretch in this game that best epitomized the takeaways from this game, Oklahoma's defense came down with an impressive interception and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kendel-dolby-46136207/">Kendel Dolby</a> tipped a pass into the arms of <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/kani-walker-46085415/">Kani Walker</a>. The Oklahoma offense, setup with great field position, snapped the ball three times on the following possession and was stopped on third down. The Sooners sent out the field goal unit and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/tyler-keltner-46058160/">Tyler Keltner</a> answered some questions with a 50-yard bomb of a field goal. Some highs, some lows and some illustrations of key overall themes from the game, a very notable sequence.Special teams score- There was a bit of a stall late in the contest, but a huge play was made in the third phase. Lewis Carter forced a fumble in punt coverage and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/jaren-kanak-46102946/">Jaren Kanak</a> came up with the ball, housing it for a touchdown that put Oklahoma up 44-3. Many were curious how much OU's special teams units would improve under new coordinator <a href="https://247sports.com/Coach/doug-deakin-4678/">Doug Deakin</a>, another piece of evidence here showing OU's taken serious steps forward.SEVEN KEY STATS:1-of-12- Many who weren't able to watch the game will be confused about OU fans questioning the offense following a sizable win. But only converting one third down out of 12 attempts the entire game is less than stellar.Six turnovers- To say Oklahoma's defense dominated would be an understatement. Six total turnovers forced in this game a pretty obvious indicator.Six sacks- A season ago, against lesser competition, Oklahoma's pass rush fell into question despite facing things like max protection and quick throws. But it did become a bit of a theme the rest of the way. To see Oklahoma come down with six sacks and eight total pressures is a needed sign.33 scored- Oklahoma's defense certainly helped out the offense. Out of OU's 51 points scored, 33 of them came off the turnovers previously mentioned.Three- Oklahoma's offensive line has a ways to go. A Temple defensive line that was even missing their best talent finished with three sacks.3-3- One relatively encouraging sign, Oklahoma's offense moved the chains on all three of its fourth down attempts.3-3- If an offensive and defensive MVP is named, have to mention Tyler Keltner earned special teams MVP. The Sooners needed to have a more consistent ability to sink field goals, and especially in a game where OU's offense was struggling on third down, to sink three field goals and the first being a 50-yarder was needed.</div></body>

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The 2-4-7 Breakdown: Key plays, players and statistics from OU's 51-3 opening win over Temple

The season opener wasn't perfect, but it was still a win of significant margin for Oklahoma. The Sooners took care of the Temple Owls through a 51-3 final score. It's now time to break this one down '247Sports' style. Here are the key plays, players and statistics from the action:

The 2-4-7 Breakdown: Key plays, players and statistics from OU's 51-3 opening win over Temple

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