NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Jackson Arnold threw two touchdown passes and No. 15 Oklahoma held off Houston 16-12 on Saturday night.
The Sooners (2-0) struggled to move the ball and punted eight times. The Cougars (0-2) outgained Oklahoma 318-249 in total yards, including 260-174 in passing.
Oklahoma got a late interception from Robert Spears-Jennings to end one drive and a late safety from Gracen Halton to extend a slim lead.
“We did enough things wrong to deserve to lose,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “We were fortunate to find a way to win. Overall, our body of work on offense not very good today. I’m really proud of the guys that stepped up when they had an opportunity.”
Arnold, a sophomore, completed 19 of 32 passes for 174 yards with an interception and rushed 11 times for 40 yards. He was sacked three times.
“A win is a win, no matter how ugly it was,” Arnold said, “and believe me it was was ugly, but we’ll take it.”
Arnold was outperformed by Houston starter Donovan Smith, who rebounded from a poor performance against UNLV in a 27-7 home loss to complete 24 of 28 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown with an interception.