Something is going on with the Oklahoma rushing game.
Baker Mayfield at quarterback is the story of this year's offense, directed by new coordinator Lincoln Riley, but the result has been oddly disappointing for running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine.
Perine, the Big 12's leading rusher last year with more than 1,700 yards, had 16 carries for 65 yards Saturday. He went over 2,000 for his career, making him the fastest player since Bob Stoops began coaching at Oklahoma in 1999 to reach 2,000 yards. However, his production this season has been down.
Perine has 72 attempts this season and just two rushing touchdowns. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry last year and scored 21 touchdowns last year and is down to less than 5 yards per carry this season.
Joe Mixon had just six carries for 43 yards. He did have a 35-yard touchdown run Saturday in the 44-24 win over West Virginia.
Last season, against West Virginia, Perine ran for 242 yards and averaged 7 yards per carry.
