Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford took a big hit Saturday night. The Sooners' national championship hopes took an even bigger one.
Oklahoma lost its Heisman winning quarterback to an AC joint injury just before the end of the first half, after a BYU linebacker drove his shoulder into the turf. Bradford could only watch, standing on the sideline in a gray t-shirt and a a sling as No. 20 BYU rallied for a 14-13 win over No. 3 Oklahoma.
It was the first win over a ranked non-conference opponent since 1990 for BYU, but the Cougars' loss paled next to the Sooners' loss of Bradford.
BYU linebacker Coleby Clawson burst through the Oklahoma line in the final minute of the first half and flattened Bradford just as he threw an incomplete pass, pinning the junior quarterback on his right shoulder. The Sooners star writhed on the field in pain before leaving with his arm in an imaginary sling and the hopes of Oklahoma fans looking even more broken.
According to sportsinjuryclinic.net, a level 1 or 2 acromioclavicular joint injury requires two to three weeks of rehabilitation. More severe injuries can require in excess of three months rehabilitation.
Just moments before, the junior became Oklahoma's all-time leading passer, eclipsing Jason White with his 7,938th passing yard. Then what was already a bad night for Oklahoma turned even worse.
The Sooners committed six penalties and committed a turnover in the first quarter alone and held just a three-point advantage at halftime. Its record-setting offense, which last year produced 716 points, managed a lone touchdown and was outgained by BYU by 81 yards.
Oklahoma already has one major injury on its hands. All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham isn't playing after suffering a knee injury earlier in the week.
The injury also is an early judgment of Oklahoma's rebuilt offensive line, which repeatedly let Cougar defenders through to their star quarterback.
