Baker Mayfield, Bob Stoops Comment on Loss to Houston

Oklahoma football's playoff hopes took a big hit Saturday in a 33-23 loss to No. 15 Houston at NRG Stadium. In the aftermath of the result, quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Bob Stoops knew exactly whom to point the finger at when speaking to the media Tuesday, per ESPN.com's Jake Trotter. 

"That's all on me," Mayfield was quick to point out.

The junior's stat line wasn't necessarily bad on paper. He connected on 24 of 33 pass attempts for 323 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but both of those scores came on Oklahoma's first four drives. 

In the second half, Oklahoma's quarterback became its most utilized rusher due to his inability to get rid of the ball. With 13 rushes on the day—more than the Sooners' top two running backs, Samaje Perine and Joe combined—Mayfield recorded minus-one yards on the ground and was sacked five times.

He tried to break down the difference between the halves: "Just comparing the first and second half, the first half I got the ball out of my hands quick, eliminated the best part of Houston's defense, which we had game-planned. Then second half, obviously things changed. I didn't get the ball out as quick as I wanted."

Oklahoma's lack of offensive success in the air over the final 30 minutes was in no fault of Mayfield's targets, either.

"[The receivers] got open," Mayfield said. "That's all on me as the leader of the team and the captain. It's my job to deliver the ball. They got open for me. They did their part. Now, it's my responsibility to just deliver it to them."

Stoops didn't mince words when describing Mayfield's afternoon:

"

I only have one quarterback. I don't like to throw players [under the bus] or name names, but at times, Baker held on [to the ball] and instead of taking what was open and what was there in his first read, was waiting for something different. Something that takes a little longer to progress, and that's not how the offense operates. We had guys in certain [spots] that would have been easier throws and would've helped us. ... 

I'm thinking of one particular case that sticks in my mind. If he pitches the ball, it's going to get [the running back] 50 [yards] or a touchdown, then he doesn't pitch the ball. 

I think [Mayfield was] probably pressing. Trying to make the big play instead of the simple play and the obvious play.

"

The Sooners entered the season ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation after an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Orange Bowl against Clemson in 2015. Much of that was thanks to Mayfield's big year that saw him finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. 

Mayfield and Co. have a chance to straighten things out in Week 2 against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 10, where there might be some added pressure to put together a convincing win. If not, the Sooners could be in some major trouble come Week 3 on Sept. 17 because Ohio State will be coming to Norman with the season already on the line.

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.