Oklahoma vs. Iowa State: Game Grades, Analysis for the Sooners

The No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners hammered the Iowa State Cyclones for 751 offensive yards en route to a dominant 59-14 Big 12 conference victory.

Oklahoma scored the first 21 points of the game and relied on its rushing attack to overpower the Cyclones, which it did in convincing fashion.

Positional Unit	1st-Half Grade	Final Grade
Pass Offense	B	B-
Run Offense	A	A
Pass Defense	A	A-
Run Defense	A	A
Special Teams	B	B+
Coaching	A	A

Pass Offense: Trevor Knight is certainly electric with his feet, but his decision-making under center can be questionable at times. He completed 22 of 35 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, but he stared down receivers multiple times, tossing two interceptions.

After high-pointing a 46-yard bomb on Oklahoma's first offensive play, Sterling Shepard exited the game due to a groin injury. His absence was definitely felt, but Durron Neal and Michiah Quick combined to make 13 receptions for 116 yards. Blake Bell caught two scores, while K.J. Young reeled in his first career touchdown.

Run Offense: The Sooners essentially provided the definition of "dominant" on the ground. Behind a powerful offensive line, Oklahoma racked up 510 yards and 29 first downs, picking up an average of 8.6 yards per carry.

"

VINE - Knight runs for 31 yds and the TD #OUvsISU https://t.co/jwD3zFvoSk

— FanSided GIF (@FanSidedGIF) November 1, 2014"

Knight was excellent in the read-option and on counter runs, finishing with 146 yards and three touchdowns. Alex Ross added 144 yards, while Samaje Perine contributed 110 and a score. David Smith chipped in 76 yards and found the end zone once.

Pass Defense: Other than being fried on a double-move by D'Vario Montgomery, the Sooners contained an Iowa State passing attack that had topped 300 yards in consecutive games. Eric Striker registered a sack, and Charles Tapper recorded a sack-fumble that set up his team's seventh touchdown.

The Cyclones managed just 5.5 yards per pass and went only 3-of-15 on third down when attempting to pass.

Run Defense: Sam Richardson was a dual-threat quarterback to be respected, and Oklahoma didn't have a letdown against him. The front seven contained Richardson and Co., limiting Iowa State's backfield to 87 yards on 31 attempts.

Aaron Wimberly, who was coming off a 110-yard performance two weeks ago, found no running room and tallied just 25 yards. The Cyclones moved the chains just five times on the ground.

David Purdy/Getty Images

Special Teams: Michael Hunnicutt nailed a 44-yard field goal and became the Big 12's career record holder for made attempts. He drilled all eight extra points. Jed Barnett pinned Iowa State inside its own 10-yard line with a 32-yard punt during an otherwise uneventful day for the senior.

Coaching: In a blowout like this, the offensive game plan wasn't difficult to grasp from the beginning. Oklahoma ran the ball 59 times, relying on its bulk to control the line of scrimmage—something at which the unit excelled.

Defensively, the Sooners mixed pressure and coverage well, forcing checkdowns, hurried throws and contested passes all game long. Iowa State quarterbacks completed just 17 of 45 passes.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.