Sept 9, 2003

By DOUG FEINBERG
AP MegaSports Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma hopes to not have to resort to trickery as it hosts Fresno State on Saturday.

The top-ranked Sooners (2-0) survived a visit to Alabama last week with a 20-13 victory. The defense played well, totaling five sacks and forcing two interceptions, but it took a fake punt late in the third quarter to help Oklahoma secure the victory.

Clinging to a three-point lead, the Sooners had fourth-and-11 from their 31 when coach Bob Stoops called for the trick play.

"I was a little nervous," said punter Blake Ferguson, who threw a 22-yard completion on the play. "But it ended up being great. I couldn't believe we'd use a fake punt. We just designed that play for this game."

Jason White hit Brandon Jones for a 47-yard touchdown pass on the next play, highlighting a solid performance by the junior quarterback. White finished 21-of-35 for 259 yards and two touchdowns.

He had been injured the last two seasons in the team's second game, including last year's contest against Alabama.

"Everyone knows over the last couple of years I hadn't made it past my second start at quarterback," White said. "So it feels really good to survive this game without an injury."

Stoops heaped praise on his veteran signal-caller.

"Jason's operating in a great way right now, managing the offense and throwing the football," Stoops said.

The Sooners finished with 355 total yards despite gaining just 74 on the ground.

Fresno State is coming off its own thrilling victory, 16-14 over Oregon State last Saturday. Brett Visintainer's 47-yard field goal in the final minute capped a desperate 58-yard drive.

"I was watching the referee, because I couldn't look anywhere else," said linebacker Bryce McGill. "When he raised his hands up, I started waving a towel."

McGill made seven tackles and the defense stopped a last-second drive by Oregon State.

"We need to start developing a personality, and we certainly did that tonight," said coach Pat Hill said.

Quarterback Jeff Grady, filling in for injured starter Paul Pinegar, was 22-of-49 with three interceptions and 276 yards. However, he did lead the Bulldogs down the field for the game-winning drive, and will get the start again Saturday with Pinegar still sidelined by a pectoral injury.

Steven Jackson had 244 total yards, rushing for 128 and catching five passes for 116 more.

Saturday marks the first meeting between these schools.