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Spencer Rattler, No. 2 Oklahoma Fend off Tulane in Thrilling Season Opener

Heisman Trophy hopeful Spencer Rattler threw for over 300 yards Saturday to help No. 2 Oklahoma escape with a season-opening 40-35 victory over Tulane at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

The Sooners, who are aiming to win the program's first national championship since 2000, were supposed to start the campaign with a road game against the Green Wave, but the contest was moved to OU's campus because of Hurricane Ida's impact on New Orleans.

It's the fifth straight year Oklahoma has opened its season with a win.

Key Game Stats

QB Spencer Rattler (OU): 30 of 39 for 304 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; rushing TD

QB Michael Pratt (TU): 27 of 44 for 296 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; rushing TD

RB Kennedy Brooks (OU): 14 carries for 87 yards, 1 TD

RB Cameron Carroll (TU): 50 total yards, 2 TD

WR Jaetavian Toles (TU): 57 total yards, 1 TD

WR Marvin Mims (OU): 5 catches for 117 yards

WR Mario Williams (OU): 6 catchers for 37 yards, 1 TD

Rattler, OU Face Plenty of Room for Improvement After Narrow Win

Oklahoma overcame a sluggish start—Tulane led 14-7 late in the first quarter, and the game remained tied until five minutes into the second period—to pick up the victory and avoid putting itself in a must-win situation for the remainder of the regular season, and that's all that truly matters in Week 1.