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with Kirk Herbstreit
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Let's give a lot of credit to Oklahoma and the game plans Mike Stoops and Bob Stoops came up with. The Sooners did a good job of mixing up coverages and keeping Chris Weinke out of rhythm. That's the most important thing; they kept him guessing on the offensive side of the ball. They mixed in some man, some zone and different zone coverages.
And the Florida State receivers didn't catch the football. Time after time they had opportunities to make plays, but they couldn't hold onto the football. I do think they missed Snoop Minnis throughout the game.
As the game wore on, you could see that Oklahoma's defense was dominating. In fact, on third downs, when championships are won, Florida State converted only one of 13 chances. Oklahoma's defense has done it all year on third down, and the Sooners won the national championship on defense.
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| IT WAS OVER WHEN ... |
| Derrick Strait leapt high into the air with 10 minutes to play, batting down a Chris Weinke pass at the goal line on 4th-and-10, preserving a six-point lead and preventing the momentum from swinging toward the Seminoles. FSU got another shot, but the Sooners forced a fumble deep in Florida State territory and scored two plays later.
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| GAME BALL GOES TO ... |
| Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel, who was more steady than spectacular. Under the circumstances, with all the Weinke-Heupel hype, steady is what the Sooners needed. Heupel and the Sooners held the ball for more than 36 minutes, keeping the explosive Seminoles off the field. Heupel was 25-for-39 passing for 213 yards.
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Sooners the Better
Sooners coach Bob Stoops endures the traditional dousing.
Oklahoma made sure there would be no debate about which team should be No. 1, beating Florida State 13-2 in the Orange Bowl to finish as the nation's only unbeaten team. Tim Duncan booted two field goals, Quentin Griffin ran for a TD after the Sooners forced a fumble and OU won its seventh national championship, and first since 1985. Lineback Torrance Marshall was the game's MVP.
• Heupel finds ways to win
• Sooners' secondary keeps Weinke quiet
• Photo gallery | Listen | TV ratings up
| INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS |
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OKLAHOMA |
YARDS |
FLORIDA STATE |
YARDS |
| Passing |
Josh Heupel |
214 |
Chris Weinke |
274 |
| Rushing |
Quenton Griffin |
40 |
Travis Minor |
20 |
| Receiving |
Josh Norman |
49 |
Atrews Bell |
137 |
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 Oklahoma vs. Florida State
 Oklahoma's Torrance Marshall grabs the Chris Weinke pass that sets up the first OU field goal.
avi: 1437 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Oklahoma vs. Florida State
Josh Heupel hits Curtis Fagan for the 39-yard gain that sets up another Sooner field goal.
avi: 1666 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Oklahoma vs. Florida State
Oklahoma's Derrick Strait knocks away a Florida State pass on a game-saving play.
avi: 1880 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Oklahoma vs. Florida State
Oklahoma's Rocky Calmus hits Chris Weinke from behind, causing the key fumble.
avi: 1851 k
Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
More Audio/Video
Sooners just glad Orange Bowl is next
Oklahoma's won 12 games, but had to sweat out its Big 12 title game until the last minute.
Orange Bowl wrap
There are several reasons Oklahoma beat Florida State in the BCS title game. But perhaps the biggest killer was time of possession.
Only a one-ring circus for FSU's seniors
Florida State's senior class leaves with a 56-6 overall record the last five years, but just one championship.
Orange Bowl notebook: Snoop
The No. 13 jersey that peered out underneath Snoop Minnis' black denim jacket could have made the difference in Oklahoma's 13-2 national championship-clinching victory.
Complete Bowl Championship Series coverage
In-depth analysis from ABC Sports on the Rose, Fiesta, Sugar and Orange Bowls.
| TEAM STATISTICAL COMPARISON |
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| Total Offense |
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429.2 |  | 
549 |
Passing Yards |
| | 294.7 | | |
384 |
Passing completion percentage |
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64.2 | | |
61.8 |
Completions |
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289 | | |
290 |
Attempts |
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450 | | |
469 |
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| Scoring Offense |
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39.0 | | |
42.4 |
Scoring Defense |
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16.0 | | |
10.2 |
Rushing Yards |
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134.6 | | |
165.0 |
Rushing attempts |
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410 | | |
455 |
Key: |
| Oklahoma | | Florida State |
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 "Congratulations to the Great Oklahoma Sooners! You were 12 point underdogs and you went to Miami and dominated the Seminoles! Ha! Ha! They were truly shocked! Along with the rest of the country! You are undoubtedly the National Champions! Good Job, Boys! See you in the NFL!!!!"
-- CarolM88
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